Rating: 
Summary: A Charming Work....
Review: I had only recently become aware of Edward Gorey and his works, and this was one of my first Gorey Books along with "The Gashlycrumb Tinies". This book is not his most macabre work, yes, but it one of his most charming.
The story may seem relatively simple, and to a simple mind it is nothing more than a witty story that is full of nonsense, but to others it is slightly thought provoking. The chapters are numbered in a strange order for a reason, and many small details of the book hold some significance. Without giving too much away, if you stop and think about it, and if you look at the first illustration and then the part where the main characters reach the bush, you will begin to see what this story is, or rather may possibly be, about. I'd rather not say what my interpretation is, but suffice to say this book cannot be reduced to a chronicle of nonsense which some narrow-minded people might say.
It is true that not a lot of people will interpret the story the same way, but that's part of the appeal of it. Other than its thought-provoking aspect, it is an extremely charming children's book. The illustrations are delightful, the humor is subtle but funny, and the book is overall just a fun read. Who can forget lines like "It was too dark to hear anything" or the alligator's emotionally deep verse, "I die"?
This book is amusing for all ages, whether your child is 8, 16, or an adult. Even I, being a teenager, can't help but laugh at it. While many may consider it inane, if you approach it with an open mind, you're in for an interesting experience.
Rating:
Summary: pleased
Review: i love this book. it makes me strangely happy and i hope to run across many of edgar goreys' books by accident aswell. this proves my theory that you always find the best books under another on the forgotten side of the book store.and how could you go wrong with a name like "the epiplectic bicycle"?
Rating:
Summary: I love this book!
Review: It's so weird, but unlike some other Gorey stuff, would be suitable for children (okay, smart, demented children, but what other kind would I have?) This is one of Gorey's best. Very, very funny.
Rating:
Summary: It was too dark to hear anything...
Review: This book travels through time. The chapters are numbered out of sequence yet the story progresses in a brilliantly funny approximation of a linear manner, the art is quirky, the text is silly, and the book itself just feels good to hold. I've seen "The Epiplectic Bicycle" presented in this little picture-book format and with two pictures a page in a larger Gorey anthology, and it's more fun in this edition, as the pictures and text are arranged in a way that looks better on a smaller, oblong page. The title, as best as my friends with fondnesses for strange words can determine, refers to an epiplexis, a debating strategy/rhetorical-device that tries to convince listeners by mildly upbraiding/insulting them. Just what the bicycle is trying to persuade people to do, fortunately (as it makes the book that much more fun) is harder to determine, so I heartily reccomend buying this strange little book and leaving copies in your bathroom, on a table by the front door, anyplace anyone will be waiting for a little while as a way of making their day better with a little fun wierdness.
Rating:
Summary: It was too dark to hear anything...
Review: This book travels through time. The chapters are numbered out of sequence yet the story progresses in a brilliantly funny approximation of a linear manner, the art is quirky, the text is silly, and the book itself just feels good to hold. I've seen "The Epiplectic Bicycle" presented in this little picture-book format and with two pictures a page in a larger Gorey anthology, and it's more fun in this edition, as the pictures and text are arranged in a way that looks better on a smaller, oblong page. The title, as best as my friends with fondnesses for strange words can determine, refers to an epiplexis, a debating strategy/rhetorical-device that tries to convince listeners by mildly upbraiding/insulting them. Just what the bicycle is trying to persuade people to do, fortunately (as it makes the book that much more fun) is harder to determine, so I heartily reccomend buying this strange little book and leaving copies in your bathroom, on a table by the front door, anyplace anyone will be waiting for a little while as a way of making their day better with a little fun wierdness.
Rating:
Summary: i love this book!
Review: this is most definitely my favorite book on earth! i'm so serious, this is such a cool book. it really appeals to anyone. kids could read it because there are short sentances and pictures (some tough words though...start with epiplectic??) but teens and adults (i'm sure) can also appreciate the morbid and brilliant humor of edward gorey. for anyone that thinks that $10 is too much to spend on a little book, ((you may be right in some circumstances)) but this is such a fantastic book i know i am gushing but i love it soooooooo much!!!!
Rating:
Summary: They Rode Past A Great Many Turnip Fields...
Review: This is my second favorite of all Gorey tales, behind only "The Doubtful Guest." The story concerns Embley and Yewbert, who, after hitting each other with croquet mallets, have quite an adventure on the bicycle in question.
One of the beautiful things about Gorey is the number of interpretations that are possible. In all likelihood no two people will take the same thing away from his stories, which immeasurably enhances the reading experience. As in all Gorey tales, this one contains extremely peculiar turns of phrase, and this one has the bonus of seemingly randomly numbered chapters, although it took me three times through the book before I noticed.
This is a delightful introduction to Gorey, and is one of his distinctly less macabre stories. This book is wonderful fun for all ages and is highly recommended.
Rating:
Summary: Oo, er. Fi: donc.
Review: This is one of the best books ever written. Strangely, I don't know why
Rating:
Summary: Surrealism with pictures
Review: This is the best surrealist work I've read since Max Ernst. As usual, Gorey's illustrations are great (actually very spare in this book), and the text is subtle yet funny. "Beware of this and that."
Rating:
Summary: A real gem ... short and sweet
Review: This little book served as my introduction to Edward Gorey; after reading it, I am hooked. The illustrations are truly endearing, the text is well-crafted and hillarious. You can flip through the book in all of five minutes, but will be chuckling all the while. Highly recommended!
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