As Edward Imagined: A Story of Edward Gorey in Three Acts

by Matthew Burgess, Marc Majewski (illustrator)

From an acclaimed author and illustrator team, here is a definitive picture book biography about a true original and creative Edward Gorey.Discover the unique childhood and life of the enigmatic and eccentric Edward Gorey whose artwork and books had a profound impact on creators such as Neil Gaiman, Lemony Snicket, and Tim Burton.Even as a young boy, readers learn that Edward constantly forged his own path, passions, and pursuits never forsaking his individuality for fame.This brilliant picture book biography is paired with a whimsical art style that captures the unrelenting creativity Edward brought to his playfully macabre creations.

Genres: Picture Books, Biography, Art, Nonfiction, Childrens, Animals, Biography Memoir

48 pages, Hardcover

Published September 17, 2024

Reviews

[Laura · Rating 5 out of 5]

I adore Edward Gorey. I can remember exactly when he came into my life. At very first sight, I was like, “WHO. IS. THIS?” His art has a style all its own. As did the man himself.

“Daring to live the life he imagined.”

This picture book bio captures the spirit of Mr. Gorey and his “playfully macabre” art perfectly for young readers. For all ages actually! The three parts break down his life into childhood, after college in New York, and his later years by the sea on Cape Cod. Each part is filled with facts, personality, little tidbits I never knew, and of course…cats. Don’t forget the cats!

Marc Majewski's art is colorful and soft and full of emotion. Which sounds very un-Gorey like, but it works wonders here. Especially the two pages filled with Gorey characters at the end. The bright yellow background and unique crowd of Gorey creations all grouped together will inspire readers to seek out Gorey tales for sure. My favorite pages were the quieter ones though. Like the picture of Gorey walking by the sea near the end. It said peace and quiet. Two things Mr. Gorey needed and found by the sand and water. But most of all, I love that each and every page says...Go your own way and in your own style.

Highly recommended.

[Rod Brown · Rating 2 out of 5]

This brief biography of Edward Gorey frustrated me by leaving out all the years and many of the locales until a chronology in the end matter. I felt adrift in Gorey's life for much of the book and felt he was reduced to a male version of a "cat lady" by the end. The blotchy painted art didn't really capture the detailed line work Gorey put into his characters and picture books.

It wasn't nearly as fun or witty as Nonsense! The Curious Story of Edward Gorey, a better picture book I read just over a year ago that had art more evocative of Gorey's style.


FOR REFERENCE:

Contents: Act One. An Artist Is Born -- Act Two. Edward in the City -- Act Three. At Home by the Sea

[David · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is an easy-to-read, extremely well-illustrated short biography of Edward Gorey. We see a free spirited boy, become passionate about illustrating and going to theater as he became nominated for a Tony Award for costume design work for "Dracula" on Broadway. He leads an eccentric life in the city, but moves out to Cape Cod with his six cats and enjoys his work and library.

I like how this book can help young readers realize how much fun following your own dreams can truly be. Life should be about being happy and contented, and not scraping/clawing your way to the 'top'. But you might find you reach these pinnacles simply by enjoying what you do, and who you truly are.

4* per the brevity, but understandable as the audience is elementary school aged kids. At least this will intrigue the readers who want more, to look him up on the internet and explore.

[Melissa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Charming, lively, colorful the biography introduces readers to the independent, quirky and talented artist who followed his own path. Goreys personality comes through. I only wish one of his drawings had been included in the back matter

[Lynn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Edward Gorey Picture Book

A beautiful book with illustrations and story. It’s very moving. I hadn’t heard of Edward Gorey before but I’m aware of the phenomenon of the Broadway Dracula production and often see the PBS Mystery trailer. Nice!

[Karen · Rating 5 out of 5]

My second book about Edward Gory. I enjoyed the illustrations and the story told me enough to want to know more. I had to read the authors notes! A fascinating man. I am going to purchase it for my library. It is a great example for children to do what they love.

[Adele · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was very mild and surface-level, but I liked it all right, though I got the feeling a lot was glossed over. My husband tells me a couple years ago we read a different Gorey picture book biography that he thinks is better, but I can't remember that one at all and I was not reviewing all the picture books I read at the time so I can't really say. This is the other one: Nonsense! The Curious Story of Edward Gorey

[Morgan Ashleigh · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very accurate, yet poetic and fun take on a life of the man that was Edward Gorey. There's a slightly different, relatable and whimsical portrayal of Gorey that you don't get from experiencing his work. It also doesn't normalize him, or remove the spark of what made him who he was. This is just digestible enough for kids, without being too scary. I was impressed by the accuracy of this book, as well as the illustrator's portrayal of Gorey and his work. I feel like this would be something that Gorey would read and wouldn't cringe at.

[Nikita Vora · Rating 5 out of 5]

A classic for the ages. Aleshia and i alternated reading each line aloud while gasping and giggling at the beautiful pages. Cannot express the love i feel for Mr Edward after reading his story. I wish to follow in his footsteps in every path in life 🥾

[Angela De Groot · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderful picture book biography that encourages readers to stay true to themselves and to do their own thing in their own time - just like Edward Gorey did. Lyrical language and enthralling illustrations.

[Aleshia Rose · Rating 5 out of 5]

Spectacular story. Stunning visuals. Grateful Nikita and I had the opportunity to read to each other before bed. I feel soothed and comforted and like I acquired a whole new vocabulary.

[Sandy · Rating 4 out of 5]

A lovely picture book biography of artist Edward Gorey. I enjoyed the story, as well the inclusion of a timeline and additional information in the back. My only complaint would be - how do you have a book about an artist and not include works by the actual artist?

[Shawn · Rating 5 out of 5]

LOVE

[Diana · Rating 4 out of 5]

We knew nothing about Edward Gorey, but this book has sparked my curiosity about his books. Super short and beautifully illustrated Biography picture book.

[Wren · Rating 5 out of 5]

Young readers ages 5 to 9 who love to create art and are a bit quirky might be the ideal readers here, but many people of all personality types and ages will find this book interesting and delightful.

Readers of all ages will enjoy learning more about the author / illustrator / costume designer Edward Gorey by reading this captivating picture book.

The book (as the subtitle indicates) is divided into three parts: his childhood, his time working in Manhattan, and his life in Cape Cod, MA.

Gorey loved to read and draw when he was a child. This lead to a lot of opportunities, notably his designing the costumes in the 1970s for a production of Dracula for which he won a Tony. He did not like the limelight. The book quotes him, "'I began to realize what it would be like to be rich and famous, but I've decided unh-huh.'" And then we learn that instead "he watched [his Tony win] at home with his cats."

He then later retreated into a quieter setting by living in a fabulous house in Cape Cod.

The Author's Note explains the goal that he and his illustrator had in creating this book: "We hope to offer a portrait of Edward as a person and not as a caricature. he wasn't quite the gloomy recluse that some imagine: he was brilliant, funny, eccentric, and a good friend. . . . He chose creative freedom above all."

[Barbara · Rating 3 out of 5]

Oh, to be able to live life on one's own terms! That's exactly how Edward Gorey moved through his life and career, dressing, drawing, and navigating according to his own compass. This picture book's illustrations, created with acrylics, and the three-part text, pay tribute to his formative years, his time in New York City, and his later years in Cape Cod. The entire package captures the essence of this quirky, highly original artist and storyteller, who eschewed the lures of fame, preferring to spend time with his cats and "to do his own thing, in his own way, in his own time" (unpaged). Young readers can learn about how to chart their own courses through his example. Back matter includes a timeline of his life, additional information about Gorey, and a photograph of him with one of the cats he loved so much. This picture book biography [3.5 for me!] made me smile at his unique vision and his declaration that six cats were enough, and to add one more would just be too much. Maybe, but maybe not! As I read this book, though, I wondered just how familiar with his work are youngsters today.

[Lynn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Edward Gorey always followed his own path and his remarkable art and equally remarkable life is an inspiration to those who always wish to color outside the lines. He started creating art as a toddler and kept on till the end of his life delighting a legion of fans who love his work still today.

Matthew Burgess introduces young readers to this extraordinary artist with a perfect sense of quirk and humor to his writing, stressing Gorey's lifelong love creativity and being true to who he was. In this age of intense peer pressure and ever-changing fads, this is welcome advice indeed.

Marc Majewski's richly-hued acryllic illustration have just the right touch of off-beat whimsy to provide a hats-off to Gorey's style without trying to mimic it. Humorous touches abound on pages that will hold and fascinate kids through many readings.

Back matter includes an Author's Note, more information on Gorey, Sources and a Timeline of Gorey's life.

Kids will be tantalized by this introduction to look up Gorey's extraordinary art and more about him.

[Read Ribbet · Rating 5 out of 5]

Matthew Burgess and Marc Majewski have collaborated on a beautiful book that celebrates the life and work of author illustrator Edward Gorey. Told in three acts, this nonfiction picture book biography captures key events and influences in Gorey's life. The book also celebrates the life of someone who followed his own path. The illustrations are a bit of an homage to Gorey's style. There is so much to see in each illustration. The book ends with an author's note that provides more insights and information about Gorey. There is also a list of resources for more information and citations of actual quotes from Gorey used in the book. The final pages are a timeline of Gorey's life. I love picture book biographies, and this is a good addition to the genre. It is great to have another book that celebrates the creative life of an important individual like Edward Gorey.

[John Mullarkey · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a very interesting, intriguing, and just plain fun picture book biography about artist Edward Gorey by Matthew Burgess. It shows readers just how important it is in life to be creative and follow one’s own path. If there was ever a topic of a book that highlights this idea, Edward Gorey is it! It is told in three acts - like a play. The acrylic painted artwork by Marc Majewski complements the text beautifully. It is also a great opportunity for younger readers and older ones too to explore the playful, macabre, humorous, drawings/paintings and books by Gorey whose work has influenced other writers, artists, and film/animation directors of the 20th and 21st Centuries. Highly recommended!

[Kristi · Rating 5 out of 5]

Every time I go to the Edward Gorey House in Yarmouth I leave incredibly inspired so I couldn’t wait to read this book. It definitely lived up to my expectations! Told in three acts, this book is beautifully written by Matthew Burgess and, when combined with the captivating illustrations of Marc Majewski, makes this one of my new favorite picture book biographies. In an author’s note, Burgess talks about how important is it for kids to encounter grown ups that follow their own path – and that’s exactly what Edward Gorey did throughout his life. A fantastic tribute to an amazingly talented creative figure. HIGHLY recommend!

[K.C. Norton · Rating 2 out of 5]

I love Edward Gorey (I did a giant project on him in school) so on one hand, yay for more people knowing about Edward Gorey. But this book is kind of a bummer... one, what a missed opportunity with the art! He had such a distinct style, and this book doesn't really make an effort to delve into that. I suppose that might be intentional, but the prose confused me, too. There are so many weird, interesting, unusual facts you could share about this wild card of a man, and instead this is some bland generic story that could, in many respect, apply to any creative.

That's right, I'm getting salty with a picture book for disappointing me on the details. But truly, this could have been so fun!

[Tracy · Rating 5 out of 5]

First to review! How magical!

This is a lovely, revealing story about a magical author. I did not read his books as a child, but often saw them and images of his work when I worked as a bookseller, which I was at his death and remember putting up displays of his books. I dearly love the analogy of "pawing through the library", (as a a cat lover). I hope this book will find it's way into many hands, I can certainly recommend to my granddaughters!

[Tina Hoggatt · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautifully imagined picture book biography of one of the great American author/illustrators, a talent so unique he defies categorization. Illustrator Mark Majewski makes the decision to illustrate in a style diametrically opposed to Gorey's own intricate line work but captures the wild imaginative and joyful spirit of the man. A delight. Now go read a pile of Gorey's books and settle in to be uniquely entertained.

[June · Rating 4 out of 5]

Maybe a 4.5. I wish I this book had been available when you son was so concerned about what others thought and fitting in.

A biography of the original artist, Edward Gorey, who did "things in his own delightfully peculiar way... daring to live the life he imagined."

"I began to realize what it would be like to be rich and famous, but I've decided unh-unh."

Backmatter provides more information and a chronology.

[Madeleine]

Love love love the art style. The last page with his cats genuinely almost made me cry. HOWEVER. Where are the Gashlycrumb Tinies???? Maybe it's because I'm obsessed with Gorey's weird stuff, but I think I personally wanted a little more on his most famous work. That said--I did really love this book. I love Edward Gorey. You can feel how much Burgess loves him, too.

[Meredith · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was fine, and the illustrations were fun. But some things in the text bothered me. Why mention him moving from Boston to NYC if you never mention him living in Miami or Chicago except for in the timeline at the back? Why not give some specific names of the books he wrote? Why aren't any of his drawings included?

[Jessie · Rating 3 out of 5]

I really enjoyed the busy painted illustrations here, but there wasn't much here that evoked Gorey's style.

The book tells the broad strokes of Gorey's whole life, but I don't know that it told the story very strongly. (Though I appreciated the full page ballet spread! Would have chosen something on stage that looked more typically Balanchine, thought.)

[Taylor Foster · Rating 5 out of 5]

Colorful and fun illustrations highlighting Edward Gorey's life. This book breaks Edwards life into three acts and showcases the highlights of his life in each one. This book does a great job of introducing Edward Gorey and even includes a timeline in the back of the book of his life. A fun way to learn about the eccentric artist and writer!

[Jen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love, love, love this book! Many thanks to the author and illustrator for their efforts in bringing Edward to life for the kids that will one day discover the joys of his art. Also a great resource for 2nd grade author book reports.

[Beverly · Rating 5 out of 5]

Interesting biography of a fascinating artist. Incredible, but true, he read Bram Stoker's Dracula before the age of six. The kind of slapdash acrylic paintings highlight all the interesting aspects of Gorey's life.