Rating: 
Summary: Drop-Dead Humor from A to Z
Review: Edward Gorey's dark subversion of children's alphabet books is a tiny book guaranteed to bring a sinister smile to the face of every one with a twisted sense of humor. Opening with "A is for Amy who fell down the stairs" and running all the way to "Z is for Zilla who drank too much gin," the simple but inspired rhymes combine with Gorey's pseudo-Victorian Gothic crosshatch illustrations to wickedly funny effect.Although his disaster-specific illustrations (such as "R is Rhoda consumed by a fire") are macabrely witty, Gorey is really at his best when he leaves the most to your imagination. Consequently, it is really his illustrations of impending doom ("P is for Prue trampled flat in a brawl") or the shocking aftermath of an unknown circumstance ("K is for Kate who was struck with an ax") that are most likely to inspire a mischievous grin. Although you might not want to give this to your anxiety-prone niece or your traumatized stepson as a Christmas stocking stuffer unless you wish to make them worry about your intent, older children will likely find it every bit as comical as adults--but adults are the real audience here, much more likely to catch the drop-dead humor involved. Wickedly amusing and sinisterly charming in every way. GFT, Amazon Reviewer
Rating:
Summary: My Favorite Gorey
Review: I own most all of Gorey's titles, and though "The Doubtful Guest" is my sentimental favorite merely because it was my first, "Tinies" never fails to amuse me. For someone who otherwise would never be caught dead using the phrase 'deliciously macabre', you should allow yourself to appreciate Gorey's unabashed deliciousness, for what else can you can this volume? Inspired? Yes! Hysterical? Yes! Yet it's more than an alphabet book for adults--it's good to know in this politically correct era, that it's OK to laugh out loud when Kate is struck by an axe. If your tastes aren't quite that edgy, then you won't be saddened when Gorey's reached the end, with Zelda drinking too much gin. This material strikes a very timeless cord, and though I wouldn't read it to a toddler--unless his was a particularly developed sense of humor, this savvy tot--I would be alarmed by anyone offened by it. Gorey's great with the 'pleasant squirm', and here he's mastered it perfectly.
Rating:
Summary: Cute and Creepy
Review: This is for anyone with that sense of humor that most people just don't seem to get. A genuis dark twist on teaching the ABC's... very delightful.
~CS112_tih2
Rating:
Summary: Hilariously creepy
Review: The concept behind "The Gashlycrumb Tinies; or, After the Outing," by Edward Gorey, is brilliant in its simplicity. It consists of a series of rhymes about small children who suffer various deaths. Each child has a name beginning with a different letter of the alphabet, and their grim fates are arranged alphabetically by name. Each fate is also accompanied by one of Gorey's macabre drawings. Sample lines: "E is for Ernest who choked on a peach. F is for Fanny sucked dry by a leech. G is for George smothered under a rug. H is for Hector done in by a thug." I found this book hilarious. Gorey's children have a proper Victorian look to them which makes their scenarios that much more bizarre. Most of the drawings show the unfortunate children just before their deaths; only a few of the pictures actually show explicit death or violence. One could read "Gashlycrumb Tinies" as an outrageous parody of children's books (of alphabet primers in particular), or just enjoy it for what it is. Either way, I think it's a wicked delight.
Rating:
Summary: Delightfully twisted.
Review: This is a outstanding book. This is a new way to learn your ABC's. Picture if you will, Stephen King teaching kindergardeners the ABC's, that all you need to know about this oh so funny book. It's dark, disturbing, twisted, and a wonderful read. In today world, everything has to be "PC", well Gorey's book is a breath of fresh air. I was actually laughing outloud as I was reading the book. Once you pick it up, you'll have a lot of chuckles. This is the first book I read by Gorey, and I plan to get the rest of his books. He's that good.
Rating:
Summary: Drop-Dead Humor from A to Z
Review: Edward Gorey's dark subversion of children's alphabet books is a tiny book guaranteed to bring a sinister smile to the face of every one with a twisted sense of humor. Opening with "A is for Amy who fell down the stairs" and running all the way to "Z is for Zilla who drank too much gin," the simple but inspired rhymes combine with Gorey's pseudo-Victorian Gothic crosshatch illustrations to wickedly funny effect. Although his disaster-specific illustrations (such as "R is Rhoda consumed by a fire") are macabrely witty, Gorey is really at his best when he leaves the most to your imagination. Consequently, it is really his illustrations of impending doom ("P is for Prue trampled flat in a brawl") or the shocking aftermath of an unknown circumstance ("K is for Kate who was struck with an ax") that are most likely to inspire a mischievous grin. Although you might not want to give this to your anxiety-prone niece or your traumatized stepson as a Christmas stocking stuffer unless you wish to make them worry about your intent, older children will likely find it every bit as comical as adults--but adults are the real audience here, much more likely to catch the drop-dead humor involved. Wickedly amusing and sinisterly charming in every way. GFT, Amazon Reviewer
Rating:
Summary: "N is for Neville who died of ennui"
Review: But you will not die of ennui if you open this book. It illustrates the misfortunes of 26 children with names A-Z to a ghoulishly humorous rhyme. The cover image of the umbrella wielding symbol of death and his doomed "tinies" is one of the most famous artwork out there; especially in the gothic world. Inside are drawings of the children before or after their sudden deaths. My favorite is "H is for Hector done in by a thug" with a drawing of an innocent schoolboy and two arms holding a long piece of cloth in the background. No doubt this scene was inspired by the barbaric cult that practiced ritual strangulation known as the "Thuggies." The most gruesome drawing is "K is for Kate who was struck with an axe" the rest are more witty than grisly. Like the title, this book is tiny in size as well but big on macabre humor!
Rating:
Summary: A cool little book
Review: I'm so surprised to find this book here! I actually have this one! My cousin bought it for me, knowing my morbid sense of humor. It's pretty funny if you have my kind of humor.
Rating:
Summary: G is for Greatness which Gorey did spout
Review: Dark, morbid, violent and creatively brilliant. This book adds humor to gore and visually brightens your day, the artwork consists of very good black ink drawings,each page has some specific death for a child in alphabetical order, such as,(K is for Katie who was struck with an axe, or, X is for Xerxes devoured by mice).Noe the fact that all these nasty things happen to children should not dissuade you, its humor people, just don't buy the book for you kids.All of Edward Gorey's book should be collected because of the artwork and the fantastically morbid story's, I know I'll be buying more.
Rating:
Summary: An alphabet book for the Adams family
Review: This little book is macabrely funny and delightfully bizarre. From the Mary-Poppins like pose of the skeleton undertaker on the cover to the 26 little tomestones on the back, this book tells the story of the improbable demise of a small child for every letter of the alphabet. A wonderful gothic parody.
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