And now for some Christmas Quirky
Some books just lend themselves to being read in the festive season. I might not give this book a second glance all year round, but at some point over Christmas, I’ll make a point of taking it down from the shelf (the yellow section) to peruse the fabulously strange pen and ink drawn illustrations from the Master of unsettling kookiness, Edward Gorey.
‘The Doubtful Guest’ is a visual feast of gloomy gothic scenes set in a crumbling mansion. A strange visitor equipped with stripey scarf and converse trainers arrives unannounced, invading the privacy of the inhabitants, leaving a trail of chaos in its wake.
The accompanying rhyming couplets are a joyous mix of nonsense and the surreal, and make for a hilarious and deeply strange little book. Gorey offers no explanation or resolution to this curious tale, leaving you enchanted but bewildered. The family’s awkwardness, and their refusal to challenge their uninvited guest head on, appear to capture and distill that most quintessentially English of qualities -British reserve. In fact, Gorey was not English as is often thought, but was born and lived in America, only leaving the States on one occasion for a visit to the Shetland Islands.
It betrayed a great liking for peering up flues, And for peeling the soles of its white canvas shoes.
‘The Doubtful Guest’ never fails to make me smile. In fact, I think it’s high time I added to my Edward Gorey collection. That way, next year I can have myself a very quirky Christmas, and in my opinion, those are the finest sort.
Every Sunday it brooded and lay on the floor, Inconveniently close to the drawing-room door.
Lucy
Sarah
I re-read a book I loved as a kid, ‘The Church Mice at Christmas’ by Graham Oakley most years, as I find that encapsulates my festive feelings, and a story where the cat and the mice are friends makes me very happy indeed. But Gorey! I love the Shetlands and all, but the fact he only left the US to visit them surprises me. He must have been a fan of wind and seabids.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yep, the Shetlands are certainly a niche holiday destination. I think I know ‘The Church Mice at Christmas’ and totally get why that would be your go-to festive regression. Nothing says Christmas like daintily clad creatures of the forest sharing buns and a pot of tea with distant relations before a roaring fire.
LikeLiked by 2 people
What a lovely book! I’ve never heard of Gorey – the pictures are beautiful.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I was bought the book for Christmas one year and have been in love with Gorey’s kookiness ever since. There’s something about the combination of Edwardian sensibility and surreal humour that is completely genius.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Yes, it’s like the illustrated Saki, isn’t it?
I’d completely forgotten about Gorey ! – I can’t remember if I have a copy of ‘The Doubtful Guest’ somewhere or if I bought it for a friend’s Christmas present but I absolutely love him. (I seem to remember now that I had a Gorey desk calendar at work that occasioned a number of startled looks from visitors.)
LikeLike
Indeed! I keep meaning to buy some more of his wonderful books, but I do like the idea of a desk calender, then I’d get to enjoy those fabulously macabre illustrations everyday! 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
I love Gorey – so weird and wonderful! Have you read The Gashlycrumb Tinies? I highly recommend it!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Even the name is perfect! I haven’t read that one yet, but it’s on my wish list along with ‘The Epiplectic Bicycle’! 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person