Ascending Peculiarity : Edward Gorey on Edward Gorey

by Gorey, Edward; Wilkin, Karen; Wilkin, Karen

• ISBN13: 9780156012911
• ISBN10: 015601291X
• Edition: Reprint
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2002-10-01
• Publisher: Houghton Mifflin Harcourt

Summary

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 Includes reproductions of previously unpublished drawings and photographs

Author Biography

Born in Chicago, Edward Gorey (1925-2000) was one of the most renowned artists and writers of our time.

Karen Wilkin is a curator, art critic, and co-author of the acclaimed The World of Edward Gorey.

Table of Contents

Edward Gorey: An Introduction	p. ix
And "G" Is for Gorey Who Here Tells His Story 1973	p. 2
The City Ballet Fan Extraordinaire 1973	p. 6
Balletgorey	p. 10
Conversations with Writers: Edward Gorey	p. 24
The Dick Cavett Show with Edward Gorey	p. 50
The Cat Quotes of Edward Gorey	p. 66
An Interview with Edward St. John Gorey at the Gotham Book Mart	p. 72
The Mind's Eye: Writers Who Draw	p. 86
Edward Gorey	p. 92
The Poison Penman	p. 110
An American Original	p. 126
Edward Gorey and the Tao of Nonsense	p. 136
Edward Gorey	p. 158
Edward Gorey: Portrait of the Artist in Chilling Color	p. 172
The Gorey Details	p. 176
Edward Gorey: Proust Questionnaire	p. 182
A Gorey Encounter	p. 188
Writing "The Black Doll": A Talk with Edward Gorey	p. 196
The Connection	p. 216
Playing Favorites	p. 228
Edward Gorey's Cover Story	p. 230
Miscellaneous Quotes	p. 239
Bibliography	p. 243
Endnotes	p. 249
Acknowledgments	p. 275
Permissions Acknowledgments	p. 277
Index	p. 279
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