The Iron Tonic: Or, A Winter Afternoon in Lonely Valley

THE IRON TONIC is a bleak little story as the cover proclaims, but bracingly bleak? Perhaps if you're in a certain sort of mood, I don't know. But it does perfectly capture a chilly winter atmosphere. What I love are the circles in each illustration that draw your attention to some random item in the picture or to something relating to what you're seeing. There's no strict story here but it's possible to imagine some sort of bigger picture to the ominous and vague situations. There's one bit where a person in a fur coat is standing near a winding stream with rays of sunshine breaking through bits of the grey sky, and the insert zooms in on a big ghostly hand in a sunbeam pointing to a spot in the stream with the accompanying text, "A fugitive and lurid gleam/Obliquely gild the gliding stream." Rich in symbolism? Nah, probably just nonsense. But that's fine by me.

Sometimes I'll stop and look at an Edward Gorey construction (like "The Iron Tonic") and wonder to myself, "How exactly was this book received in 1969"? Gorey spent years and years perfecting his craft to the best of his abilities. In "The Iron Tonic", hard core Gorey fans will not be disappointed. Those unfamiliar with Mr. Gorey's books may find this one a poor first showing. Advertised on its cover as a, "Bracingly Bleak Tale", it is nonetheless amusing in its dourness. Using his old reliable pen-and-ink, Gorey follows the trials of those attendees at a gothic grey hotel in the middle of an icy wilderness. In the backgrounds of many pictures, the observant reader will notice numerous tiny figures dashing around in the background. Objects fall from the sky regularly, and it is not particularly alarming (or unnatural) to find the occasional dead orphan at the side of the road. I can't say for certain that this book wouldn't be appreciated by some children. Undoubtedly there are those out there eager to scarf up anything this well illustrated. But the large majority of kids will find "The Iron Tonic", unsatisfying, and that is as it should be. If the large population of kiddie-dom was made up of Goreyphiles we'd be living in an eerie wonderful world. That day may be coming, but it is not here yet.

In typical Gorey fashion, this book makes no sense. Unlike some of his works, which have plots that go nowhere, The Iron Tonic makes no pretense at story. It's simply a collection of couplets, with Gorey's usual detailed and quirky illustrations, in a bleak and wintry setting. And there is no iron tonic in the book whatsoever, which Gorey fans had doubtless already guessed.It's an excellent example of Gorey's work, as long as one goes in knowing what to expect from this author.

Folks, it doesn't get any better than this--Edward Gorey's masterpiece known as The Iron Tonic, or, A Winter Afternoon in Lonely Valley. Originally published in 1969 by the Albondocani Press in a limited edition of 226 copies, this otherwise elusive title is a welcome reprint. With disturbing lines like, "The infant dead beside the path/ Escaped the orphanage's wrath," this is among Gorey's darker works. As an added bonus, the illustrations are wonderfully detailed; it is certainly one of his best (and there are so many from which to choose!).Those of you who like this should also look for such gems as The Willowdale Handcar, The Loathesome Couple, The Hapless Child, The Blue Aspic, and The Stupid Joke.Mr. Gorey's passing earlier this year (2000) was almost symbolic--as the 20th Century ended, so did one of its greatest artists; yet his Edwardian/early 20th Century characters will carry on. He will be missed.

Delightfully odd. Deliciously dire. Beautifully Dismal. Gorey is as Gorey was as Gorey will always be: one of a kind, a secret, obscure treasure found in a musty attic, underneath your great grandmother's tattered, incomprehensible old board games. He made scads of these odd confections (many reprinted in the Amphigorey collections), and one can only hope that the publishers put out more than one or two a year. Huzzah! Hooray! Try just one today...