The Other Statue

Out of all the Edward Gorey books I've read so far, I think THE OTHER STATUE is the finest and witties. Published in 1968, it is similar to most of Gorey's works from this era, but the humour is even more droll than usual and the characters amusingly named. Moments of great significance and total unimportance are juxtaposed in a hilarious manner. No one reads Gorey for the plot alone, as the pen and ink drawings hold most of the charm, but a summary may be of interest. Like Gorey's first novel THE UNSTRUNG HARP, our tale is set in the province of Mortshire near Backwater Hall. A number of guests arrive for a party, but the weather turns stormy, and LordWherewithal is killed by a statue blown from the roof and the priceless heirloom, the Lisping Elbow is stolen. Who among the cast of characters could be responsible? The clergyman Rev. O. MacAbloo, Horace Gallop, a gypsy selling Orphobismic Lozenges, or Miss Quartermorning? I would suspect the governess Miss Underfold, but Dr Belgravius and his nephew Luke Touchpaper are out to find the person responsible. Now that I have written a little about the book, I see that it sounds weird and silly, but this is a very entertaining book, and certainly the best introduction to Gorey around. Give it a look if you like droll humour.

I know the Rev. MacAbloo is at least partly responsible (and he's probably *mostly* responsible). Miss Quartermourning knows something but isn't telling. Miss Underfold had second thoughts after the fact but she was in too deep to get back out. What I haven't figured out is the missing floorboard or those odd two-legged creatures.

There is somthing about this book. It is so intrigueing I keep reading it over and over. For such a short story I have definately gotten my kicks out of it. Well worth a read again..and again...My favorite Gorey book.

Gorey fans will enjoy this dark vintage offering, which was first printed in 1968 and has been out of print until this year. Gathered for the annual charity fete at Backwater Hall in Mortshire, the assembled guests are suddenly disrupted by the mysterious death of their host, Lord Wherewithal and the theft of the family's heirloom, the Lisping Elbow. The Other Statue is a gothic mystery filled with exquisite details and haunting images (both in the illustrations and the words.) It leaves its readers pondering and wondering what happened to the sequel, "The Night Bandage", promised "to follow" on the back cover.

I don't know where this late sixties Gorey work has been hiding, but it's good to see it in print now. Apparently this is part one of a mystery, and I look forward to part 2. Fans of Gorey's unique world, with its obscure humor and painstakingly rendered artwork, will enjoy this offering as yet another fine example of the master's hand. It tells the story (more or less) of an Edwardian garden party at which somebody dies, whereupon the characters dither about in various suspicious and barely coherent ways, and nothing is yet resolved. Fans may find this one reminiscent of "The Willowdale Handcar." Those unfamiliar with Gorey's work should first investigate his fine "Amphigorey" collection to get a sense of the utterly unique niche Mr. Gorey occupies, a mix of fine art, cartooning, illustration, highly subtle literate wit, and a morbid turn.