Product Description

The annual charity fête at Backwater Hall in Mortshire is disrupted by the mysterious death of Lord Wherewithal and the theft of the Lisping Elbow. Confusion and misgivings abound. And, alas, the Earl of Thump's stuffed thisby is found disemboweled by the edge of the lake. Dr. Belgravius and his nephew, Luke Touchpaper, attempt to tie the loose ends together and wonder why Miss Underfold was seen wearing a hat decorated with black lilies. And why was Victoria Scone dancing the tango with Horace Gollop in The Soiled Dove?

Edward Gorey creates an intriguing and sharply mordant world and leaves us his own mystery-what has happened to the missing Night Bandage, volume two of the Mortshire secrets?

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #338262 in Books
• Published on: 2001-07-09
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Hardcover
• 64 pages

Features

• ISBN13: 9780151006960
• Condition: NEW
• Notes: Brand New from Publisher. No Remainder Mark.
• Click here to view our Condition Guide and Shipping Prices

Amazon.com Review
Lord Wherewithal is dead at Backwater Hall, Horace Gollop cavorts with Victoria Scone, and (perhaps most unsettling of all!) someone has offended decorum by disemboweling a stuffed thisby belonging to the Earl of Thump in The Other Statue, Edward Gorey's latest feat of macabre artistry and elliptical mystery. Come join the party! --Tim Appelo

Review
"A master of a genre of graphic storytelling [and] a brilliant draftsman." -- The New York Times Book Review

"Dark masterpieces of surreal morality...beautifully depicted." -- Vanity Fair

"Edward Gorey's work is remarkable and mysterious. I find it fascinating." -- Max Ernst

PRAISE FOR EDWARD GOREY

"Dark masterpieces of surreal morality...beautifully depicted."-Vanity Fair

"Edward Gorey's work is remarkable and mysterious. I find it fascinating."-Max Ernst

"A major graphic artist...his originality is profound."-Commentary

"A master of a genre of graphic storytelling [and] a brilliant draftsman."-The New York Times Book Review



-- Review

Review

Customer Reviews

Typical Gorey, who was a genius
I don't know where this late sixties Gorey work has been hiding, but it's good to see it in print now. Apparently this is part one of a mystery, and I look forward to part 2. Fans of Gorey's unique world, with its obscure humor and painstakingly rendered artwork, will enjoy this offering as yet another fine example of the master's hand. It tells the story (more or less) of an Edwardian garden party at which somebody dies, whereupon the characters dither about in various suspicious and barely coherent ways, and nothing is yet resolved. Fans may find this one reminiscent of "The Willowdale Handcar." Those unfamiliar with Gorey's work should first investigate his fine "Amphigorey" collection to get a sense of the utterly unique niche Mr. Gorey occupies, a mix of fine art, cartooning, illustration, highly subtle literate wit, and a morbid turn.

Gorey Haunts Us Again
Gorey fans will enjoy this dark vintage offering, which was first printed in 1968 and has been out of print until this year. Gathered for the annual charity fete at Backwater Hall in Mortshire, the assembled guests are suddenly disrupted by the mysterious death of their host, Lord Wherewithal and the theft of the family's heirloom, the Lisping Elbow. The Other Statue is a gothic mystery filled with exquisite details and haunting images (both in the illustrations and the words.) It leaves its readers pondering and wondering what happened to the sequel, "The Night Bandage", promised "to follow" on the back cover.

The best Gorey I've read so far
Out of all the Edward Gorey books I've read so far, I think THE OTHER STATUE is the finest and witties. Published in 1968, it is similar to most of Gorey's works from this era, but the humour is even more droll than usual and the characters amusingly named. Moments of great significance and total unimportance are juxtaposed in a hilarious manner.

No one reads Gorey for the plot alone, as the pen and ink drawings hold most of the charm, but a summary may be of interest. Like Gorey's first novel THE UNSTRUNG HARP, our tale is set in the province of Mortshire near Backwater Hall. A number of guests arrive for a party, but the weather turns stormy, and LordWherewithal is killed by a statue blown from the roof and the priceless heirloom, the Lisping Elbow is stolen. Who among the cast of characters could be responsible? The clergyman Rev. O. MacAbloo, Horace Gallop, a gypsy selling Orphobismic Lozenges, or Miss Quartermorning? I would suspect the governess Miss Underfold, but Dr Belgravius and his nephew Luke Touchpaper are out to find the person responsible.

Now that I have written a little about the book, I see that it sounds weird and silly, but this is a very entertaining book, and certainly the best introduction to Gorey around. Give it a look if you like droll humour.