Cobweb Castle

by Jan Wahl, Edward Gorey

Having read and dreamed too many fairy tales, the grocer sets off to live one, but finds the world not at all conducive to his fantasies.

Genres: Picture Books, Childrens, Fiction

Paperback

First published January 1, 1968

About the author

Jan Wahl was an American author best known for his imaginative and influential children’s books, which combined wit, warmth and a deep respect for young readers. Born in Columbus, Ohio, Wahl showed artistic promise early, performing piano on children’s radio programs and appearing on stage alongside legendary magician Harry Blackstone Sr. He studied at Cornell University, where he took classes with Vladimir Nabokov, and continued his education in Europe as a Fulbright scholar before completing graduate studies in the United States.
Wahl began publishing children’s books in the mid-1960s and quickly became a prolific and celebrated voice in the field, ultimately writing more than 120 works. Titles such as Pleasant Fieldmouse, The Furious Flycycle and Humphrey’s Bear earned him a devoted readership and critical acclaim. His stories were frequently illustrated by major artists, including Edward Gorey, Maurice Sendak and Mercer Mayer, and were praised for their playful tone, emotional intelligence and sense of empowerment.
Beyond writing, Wahl led an unusually rich cultural life, working with filmmakers, writers and artists, lecturing widely on film history and literature, and maintaining close ties to both the literary and cinematic worlds.

Reviews

[Mir · Rating 3 out of 5]

Really? No blurb, no reviews, only a few readers? Not that I was blown away by this books by any means, but Gorey is so popular, and I thought Wahl was fairly well known also...

A young shop-keeper named Flemming Flinders daydreams of romantical fairy-tale-type adventures. One day, abandoning his store and his cat (jerk!) he sets out goes in search of his fortune. He soon learns that dreaming and roughing it are not quite the same thing.


(I hate to break this to you, Ingaborg, but I don't think Flemming plays for your team.)

You can download the first half of the book at Pomegranate: http://www.pomegranate.com/a231.html

[Megan Salter · Rating 2 out of 5]

Had Gorey not illustrated this book, I would not have cared an ounce for it.

[Amy · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of Gorey's rare color works. Gifted to me by Amanda. I love the pink parasol scenes. And the before-and-after dress that got wet when the couple 'flounders' in the water.

[Morpheus Lunae · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a cute story undermining fairy-tale conventions. Gorey's rare color illustrations are quite a sight, too!

[Andrea Wright · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was so weird!
I just have no words.
It’s probably going to stick with me now.

[Capn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ahhh, another delightfully bizarre retro and free OpenLibrary loan. The antidote to too many fairytales, and a fun poke at daydreamers. Wonderful illustrations by Gorey.