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audryt's review against another edition
3.0
Honestly, I wish I could have read a biography about Gorey, rather than an extended argument that Gorey was gay and not asexual.
These things are not mutually exclusive. Asexual individuals can still be romantic and fall in romantic love. They identify, now that society makes room for them to do so, as asexual AND bi, gay, straight, pan. Sex drive is not all on its own romantic attraction or love, and the absence of a desire for sex is not a psychologically repressed desire to have some kind of forbidden sex. I get why this biography might lean toward the latter, considering the long history of erasing gay men -- but there is room to allow for Gorey having been asexual and gay, rather than a deeply repressed sexual gay. He's dead so he doesn't have an opinion on what we think -- but there are asexual gay men and youngsters currently living who need space made for them. There is no need to throw them under the bus. Gorey had a very gay sensibility, as it was presented in his era; he also does very strongly reflect asexual behavior. And he can have been both, and after his life can represent both.
Maybe next time I can read a biography that is more about the biography's subject than it is about the writer...?
These things are not mutually exclusive. Asexual individuals can still be romantic and fall in romantic love. They identify, now that society makes room for them to do so, as asexual AND bi, gay, straight, pan. Sex drive is not all on its own romantic attraction or love, and the absence of a desire for sex is not a psychologically repressed desire to have some kind of forbidden sex. I get why this biography might lean toward the latter, considering the long history of erasing gay men -- but there is room to allow for Gorey having been asexual and gay, rather than a deeply repressed sexual gay. He's dead so he doesn't have an opinion on what we think -- but there are asexual gay men and youngsters currently living who need space made for them. There is no need to throw them under the bus. Gorey had a very gay sensibility, as it was presented in his era; he also does very strongly reflect asexual behavior. And he can have been both, and after his life can represent both.
Maybe next time I can read a biography that is more about the biography's subject than it is about the writer...?
eekayj's review against another edition
5.0
This book is getting rave reviews all over the internet, so there isn't a whole lot for me to add. I loved it, but I honestly don't know how quickly I would recommend it to others. Some biographies are written with a mass audience in mind. This is not one of them. This is a biography written for readers already enamored (or even a little obsessed) with Edward Gorey's work, who have perhaps read other books about him. It includes very few excerpts from Gorey's works, often relying on the reader to have deep familiarity or easy access to Gorey's 100+ books and expansive output of cover art. That said, it's a fantastic book for fans of Edward Gorey who have been looking for a thorough investigation into his life, relationships, and artistic motivations.
If you're new to Gorey, I'd highly recommend first reading [b:Amphigorey|47559|Amphigorey (Amphigorey, #1)|Edward Gorey|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1327649608s/47559.jpg|2375439], [b:Amphigorey Too|51244|Amphigorey Too (Amphigorey, #2)|Edward Gorey|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1530832385s/51244.jpg|907762], [b:Amphigorey Also|51245|Amphigorey Also (Amphigorey, #3)|Edward Gorey|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1327933610s/51245.jpg|2375440], and [b:Amphigorey Again|51243|Amphigorey Again (Amphigorey, #4)|Edward Gorey|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1327933584s/51243.jpg|925925]. Skimming [b:Edward Gorey: His Book Cover Art and Design|25358529|Edward Gorey His Book Cover Art and Design|Edward Gorey|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1429025796s/25358529.jpg|45101161] would also provide much-needed context for the chapters about Gorey's early professional career as an illustrator and book designer. Lastly, Dery extensively quotes Gorey's words from [b:Ascending Peculiarity: Edward Gorey on Edward Gorey|570762|Ascending Peculiarity Edward Gorey on Edward Gorey|Edward Gorey|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1327949218s/570762.jpg|2339]. His selections suit the narrative nicely, but reading the interviews in their entirely will give you a better idea of Gorey's public persona and manner of speaking, which is referenced often.
If you're new to Gorey, I'd highly recommend first reading [b:Amphigorey|47559|Amphigorey (Amphigorey, #1)|Edward Gorey|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1327649608s/47559.jpg|2375439], [b:Amphigorey Too|51244|Amphigorey Too (Amphigorey, #2)|Edward Gorey|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1530832385s/51244.jpg|907762], [b:Amphigorey Also|51245|Amphigorey Also (Amphigorey, #3)|Edward Gorey|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1327933610s/51245.jpg|2375440], and [b:Amphigorey Again|51243|Amphigorey Again (Amphigorey, #4)|Edward Gorey|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1327933584s/51243.jpg|925925]. Skimming [b:Edward Gorey: His Book Cover Art and Design|25358529|Edward Gorey His Book Cover Art and Design|Edward Gorey|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1429025796s/25358529.jpg|45101161] would also provide much-needed context for the chapters about Gorey's early professional career as an illustrator and book designer. Lastly, Dery extensively quotes Gorey's words from [b:Ascending Peculiarity: Edward Gorey on Edward Gorey|570762|Ascending Peculiarity Edward Gorey on Edward Gorey|Edward Gorey|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1327949218s/570762.jpg|2339]. His selections suit the narrative nicely, but reading the interviews in their entirely will give you a better idea of Gorey's public persona and manner of speaking, which is referenced often.
paperbacksandpines's review against another edition
4.0
The only thing I knew about Edward Gorey before reading this book was that he wrote and illustrated [b:The Gashlycrumb Tinies|47558|The Gashlycrumb Tinies (The Vinegar Works, #1)|Edward Gorey|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1327933644l/47558._SX50_.jpg|3211551], a book I had spotted years before at a tiny shop. I loved the dark sense of humor and his tiny, detailed drawings. Fast forward many years later and after seeing this title, I purchased it without even reading the synopsis.
Gory was part of an influx of designers who transformed cover art and pushed the boundaries. Yet as much as he was known as an artist, I was surprised to discover that he would always think of himself as "first a writer, then an artist."
Dery paints a picture of Gorey as an intellectual savant, someone who seemed to know about everything and be inspired by everything he consumed. His books, like himself, are uncategorizable. He too, went on to inspire famous men such as Neil Gaiman, Tim Burton, and Lemony Snickett.
Gorey was a study in opposites, someone who actively worked not to become famous while also achieving a cult status amongst followers. He kept his friends and acquaintances at arm's length, keeping them in boxes so that different groups didn't overlap with others. Yet he craved companionship and closeness with others, while eventually pushing people who got too close to him away. People in his life only got to see the parts of him that he chose to share.
Unlike the last "biography" I tried to read by DNF'd (Ahem [b:Truman Capote: In Which Various Friends, Enemies, Acquaintances, and Detractors Recall His Turbulent Career|20351|Truman Capote In Which Various Friends, Enemies, Acquaintances, and Detractors Recall His Turbulent Career|George Plimpton|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1386924447l/20351._SY75_.jpg|21544]), this book wasn't just an amalgamation of reminiscences from former acquaintances and friends. This book was thoroughly researched and provides readers with a fascinating glimpse into the life of a notoriously private man. It was well researched and well written.
My only qualm about the book is that Dery continually implied throughout the book that Gorey was gay, despite the fact that Gorey publicly identified as asexual, when pressed. Dery's agenda to out Gorey as gay flies in the face of the assumption of the impartial biographer. Had Gorey been alive to read this book, I think he would not be accepting of Dery's attempts to out him, which could be interpreted as character maligning.
Despite this limitation, I thoroughly enjoyed the book and would recommend this to anyone who values dark humor and art.
Gory was part of an influx of designers who transformed cover art and pushed the boundaries. Yet as much as he was known as an artist, I was surprised to discover that he would always think of himself as "first a writer, then an artist."
Dery paints a picture of Gorey as an intellectual savant, someone who seemed to know about everything and be inspired by everything he consumed. His books, like himself, are uncategorizable. He too, went on to inspire famous men such as Neil Gaiman, Tim Burton, and Lemony Snickett.
Gorey was a study in opposites, someone who actively worked not to become famous while also achieving a cult status amongst followers. He kept his friends and acquaintances at arm's length, keeping them in boxes so that different groups didn't overlap with others. Yet he craved companionship and closeness with others, while eventually pushing people who got too close to him away. People in his life only got to see the parts of him that he chose to share.
Unlike the last "biography" I tried to read by DNF'd (Ahem [b:Truman Capote: In Which Various Friends, Enemies, Acquaintances, and Detractors Recall His Turbulent Career|20351|Truman Capote In Which Various Friends, Enemies, Acquaintances, and Detractors Recall His Turbulent Career|George Plimpton|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1386924447l/20351._SY75_.jpg|21544]), this book wasn't just an amalgamation of reminiscences from former acquaintances and friends. This book was thoroughly researched and provides readers with a fascinating glimpse into the life of a notoriously private man. It was well researched and well written.
My only qualm about the book is that Dery continually implied throughout the book that Gorey was gay, despite the fact that Gorey publicly identified as asexual, when pressed. Dery's agenda to out Gorey as gay flies in the face of the assumption of the impartial biographer. Had Gorey been alive to read this book, I think he would not be accepting of Dery's attempts to out him, which could be interpreted as character maligning.
Despite this limitation, I thoroughly enjoyed the book and would recommend this to anyone who values dark humor and art.
caitlingb's review against another edition
dark
informative
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
slow-paced
4.0
I’m absolutely enchanted with Gorey’s work and overall very much enjoyed this informative read. I thought that some of the author’s analysis and perception of Gorey was intriguing and was quite impressed with the extent of research and interviews that the author conducted. Truly a puzzling man; having finished the book, I feel I came away with more questions about Gorey than I began with. The writing itself though I did feel leave something to be desired. The author seemed to be a bit repetitive with ideas throughout the chapters. Some chapters felt somewhat bloated and unnecessarily complicated as if the author was more focused on adding words than new ideas sometimes. I thought this could have used some better editing.
vanib's review against another edition
3.0
It definitely was great insight into Mr. Gorey's life; from cradle to grave. The writing, at times, was unnecessarily complicated.
scheu's review against another edition
4.0
I learned a lot about Gorey, one of my icons back in my goth days - the last third of the book really loses focus, though. Almost like a list of his weird habits.
pixie_d's review against another edition
4.0
3.5 stars. In terms of goodreads star ratings, I "really liked" the beginning, biographical portion, but after the author starts listing each work in chronological order, my reading experience was more "like." (It gets a bit repetitive. Actually, some bits earlier on are also repetitive, in that he sometimes will repeat the same thoughts in different words for 2, 3, or 4 sentences in a row -- another book that could use better editing!) I give the extra star in honor of all the work and research that went into the book, as well as the intelligent interpretations of Gorey's work.
neglet's review against another edition
Very thorough examination of Gorey’s work and life—although Gorey was notoriously private, so there’s more on the work than the life. A little drier than I was hoping for, but a good analysis of the artist’s work and legacy.
lattelibrarian's review against another edition
4.0
"Of course, from an absurdist perspective, all deaths are a punch line: the good news is, you're born; the bad news is, you die. Life is a death sentence."
Edward Gorey was an eccentric person--this can't be denied. With his sense of style, wry humor, and finely detailed illustrations, it's easy to see why I seem to know all about him...but nobody else around me does. I dragged my boyfriend to the Edward Gorey museum when we stayed at the Cape, and it was just about as incredible as you think it would be. It's an absolute funhouse of irreverency. And upon reading this biography, it's easy to know why. Dery details Gorey's life as best he can with what information is available. Given how private Gorey was, there was quite a lot to draw upon--though this is perhaps he died only recently in the grand scheme of things.
I was absolutely pleased to hear of his time at Harvard and that of Alison Lurie who worked at the BPL. Even beyond that, I enjoyed reading about all his artistic endeavors, especially those where he illustrated novel covers. He truly seemed to have a bohemian life up in NYC, going to the ballet nightly, standing around at Gotham Books.
It was just an absolute pleasure reading this, though I could have always gone for more pictures and illustrations--of course, this just means I'll need to buy the books and see them for myself!
Edward Gorey was an eccentric person--this can't be denied. With his sense of style, wry humor, and finely detailed illustrations, it's easy to see why I seem to know all about him...but nobody else around me does. I dragged my boyfriend to the Edward Gorey museum when we stayed at the Cape, and it was just about as incredible as you think it would be. It's an absolute funhouse of irreverency. And upon reading this biography, it's easy to know why. Dery details Gorey's life as best he can with what information is available. Given how private Gorey was, there was quite a lot to draw upon--though this is perhaps he died only recently in the grand scheme of things.
I was absolutely pleased to hear of his time at Harvard and that of Alison Lurie who worked at the BPL. Even beyond that, I enjoyed reading about all his artistic endeavors, especially those where he illustrated novel covers. He truly seemed to have a bohemian life up in NYC, going to the ballet nightly, standing around at Gotham Books.
It was just an absolute pleasure reading this, though I could have always gone for more pictures and illustrations--of course, this just means I'll need to buy the books and see them for myself!