Edward Gorey's extraordinary and disconcerting books are avidly sought and treasured throughout the world, but until now little has been known about the man himself. While he was notoriously protective of his privacy, Gorey did grant dozens of interviews over the course of his life. And as these conversations demonstrate, he proved to be unfailingly charming, gracious, and fascinating.
Here is Gorey in his own words, ruminating on everything from French symbolist poetry to soap operas, from George Balanchine and the unique beauty of ballet to Victorian photographs of dead children. We meet the artist in his ramshackle, book-lined studio in Manhattan and his equally bizarre house on Cape Cod. He describes his legendary upbringing and vast range of influences, as well as how he managed to work amid all his cats. Ascending Peculiarity is a rare and wonderful entree into the inner workings of an artistic genius.
Includes reproductions of previously unpublished drawings and photographs
Edward Gorey (1925-2000) wrote and illustrated such popular books as The Doubtful Guest, The Gashlycrumb Tinies, and The Headless Bust. He was also a very successful set and costume designer, earning a Tony Award for his Broadway production of Edward Gorey's Dracula. Animated sequences of his work have introduced the PBS series Mystery! since 1980.
PRAISE FOR ASCENDING PECULIARITY
"The work of art that was the man is no longer with us, but we still, thank the Insect God, to whom the especially hapless Millicent Frastley was sacrificed, have his lovely and disturbing little books."--The New York Times Book Review
"Invaluable to Gorey-ites." --The New York Review of Books
"A marvelously entertaining volume . . . I came down on these pages like a wolf on the flock, and devoured them in an afternoon."--The Washington Post Book World
