The Eclectic Abecedarium

In this day and age, there is always a need for wise words. Some are broad and general, like the Golden Rule, while others can be very specific, as in `In Sorting Kelp, Be Quick to Help'. I can think of no better way to describe the wisdom of this gem in dealing with our associates in toil. There is always a lot of kelp to sort, and it must be done expeditiously, to avoid drying and spoilage. It is an acknowledgment of our daily tasks at hand, and in our rush to complete them, a small reminder can serve us best. Twenty-six of these wise-words-to-live-by are found in the new, colored version of Edward Gorey's `The Eclectic Abecedarium', reprinted by Pomegranate. The cover reminds me of the Beatrix Potter books with their little green and white cover designs, and I found `Eclectic Abecedarium' just as engaging. The illustrations are enlarged just a bit, enough to give us twice the detail. And the colors are just right. It's as if I'd been watching this book on a black & white TV, and someone came and flipped on the color switch. I've been collecting Edward Gorey books for three decades now, and am usually tepid towards Gorey reprints, but this one managed to catch my eye. In the end I was truly happy to add this one to the collection. For Gorey collectors still unsure about parting with the harder-to-come-by cash, it contains a drawing that doesn't appear in previous versions. For those who are still discovering Gorey, `Eclectic Abecedarium' goes right to the heart of his way with words. Paired with Category: Fifty Drawings by Edward Gorey and a course in wordless wit, together they prove to be a most satisfying diversion. - G.E.

This reissue of The Eclectic Abecedarium makes available again a small Edward Gorey alphabet treasure that is sure to delight both young and old. The perfect holiday stocking stuffer.