Bloomsbury (UK)/Allen & Unwin

2009 (First published 1974)

For someone whose fame stems from a dark and twisted sense of humour, artist/illustrator Edward Gorey has a freaking awesome name. His fans know this, and take much joy in their clever worldplay (see Goreography).

In his fifth alphabet book, The Glorious Nosebleed (a title I’m still trying to figure out the meaning of), Gorey has put together a collection of postcard images which range from the bittersweet (She knitted her mufflers Endlessly) to the downright creepy (He exposed himself Lewdly). Twenty-six pictures are each accompanied by a simple sentence, with the capiltised adverb driving the alphabetical order. (She wandered among the trees Aimlessly/He wrote it all down Zealously)

While the images on their own are beautifully composed, casting a shadow across the words, the overall read is stilted. Fortunately, you don’t read Gorey for a linear story. You read Gorey not only for the disturbing black and white ink drawings he is known for, but also his fantastically nonsensical and lyrical storytelling. (see V: She appeared on the roof Vapourously.)

The thing is, I, like many others, have this strange fascination with gothic/Edwardian art and literature. To me, these images are a transportation device into a world I’ve always wanted to be part of, ever since reading an abdridged version of Jane Eyre when I was six (but that’s a story for another day). I suspect Gorey’s fans have a similar experience, although they also seem to be high school art students going through some angst issues…

In all seriousness, I think the artwork has a wide reach, with those ranging from the mildly curious to the die-hard Goreyophiles. The Glorious Nosebleed is a fascinating 26-page adult picture book that, if sitting on your coffee table, will make you seem very very cool or very very strange to your visitors.

Also, you can check out this cool video based on his earlier work, The Tuning Fork: