Ascending Peculiarity: Edward Gorey on Edward Gorey

I am an Edward Gorey Fan. This book sounds like a great idea. It is a set of interviews from 1973 to 1999. And here lies both the strength and the weakness of this type of book. Each interviewer has his or her own line of questions for Gorey’s and each publication has its own focus on him (and it may have nothing to do with his art). Also an interview in 1973 cannot cover where his talents and interests may have lead by 1995. In the interviews we find Gorey’s obsession for the performances of the New York City Ballet, the authors he loves, the artists who may have influenced his work plus his life with cats. That is the strength of the book. Here is the weakness: many of the interviewers repeat the same questions. Gorey’s answers do not change and he provides the same story surrounding the subject. It does not take long before you feel like you could have taken the interview for him since you just learned the answers three times over. This is a collection of interviews and it works with that purpose in mind. There are things in the book I did not know about Edward Gorey – he liked the television programs Dallas and Dr. Who. He was a precocious two year old and was known for his peculiar attire even in his Harvard days.

Wish I could give all my friends a copy for they would be charmed by Edward Gorey the person as he reveals himself in several interviews, and by Edward Gorey the artist as revealed by his drawings and several articles describing the man and his work. He is an original gifted with a fresh and open outlook on life. His comments can be honestly direct and disarming, yet there's always an element of the unexpected, the askew, and droll as though he had a special once-removed lens through which he viewed, considered, and depicted the world. He has created an absurdist world inhabited by unmistakably Goreyan-Edwardian characters in formal attire caught in silent poses with blank, deadpan looks unaware of impending catastrophe.Absolutely love him and his work for I'm a sucker for asymmetrical lives, odd or macabre juxtapositions, and lyrical line....his line.

There are only two extensive biographical books about Edward Gorey and this collection of interviews he gave is one of them. The only problem is, he repeats a lot of stories between the interviews and you don't really get too deep below the surface. It is illustrated with his art and he does have a funny way of looking at things that is charming. This book also inspired me to read 'The Young Visiters or, Mr. Salteena's Plan' available for free Kindle download through Amazon. He is exceptionally well read and well informed on all pop culture even though he lived as a bit of a hermit for several decades. Worth it if you're interested in Gorey.

As a staunch Edward Gorey fan it was fun to get to read about how he sees himself and the world. I confess I don;t understand his obsession with ballet. But then I'm a cowgirl.

Many good interviews with Edward Gorey. If you are at all interested in the artist/writer this is a good read!

Ascending Pecularity is a great study of Edward Gorey, interrviews were real and gave true insight into this extremely talented man. Highly recommended to anyone interested in Edward Gorey and those who'd like to learn more about the man.

IF YOU LIKE ED GOREY, THIS IS FOR YOU. YOU WILL LEARN A LOT MORE ABOUT HIM THAN YOU KNEW BEFORE! MWJ

This book is a must for Edward Gorey fans. It gives insight into a private, ingenuous, wonderfully talented man. After completing the book, I was sorry I would never know him personally. It is hard, however, to equate his somewhat dark gothic art and books with the kind, simple persona that shows through in these interviews.

An excellent book. This is a priceless collection of insights and interviews that will take fans of the wondrous Edward Gorey deeper into his fabulous, singular mind, and his kind, quirky, and warm heart.

There is Nothing about Gorey that I dont like ,,, this book certainly fills in any blanks thank you