Status
Available
Call number
Publication
Houghton Mifflin Harcourt (1998), Edition: First, 32 pages
Description
An artist and writer of genius gives us a small-format edition of one of his favorite tales - a deliciously twisted comedy of manners.
User reviews
LibraryThing member Michael.Rimmer
What to make of this book? It took about one minute to read and had little to say for itself. As usual with Gorey, his illustrations are interesting, but what's the point? As usual with me, when I first read a Gorey, I don't get it - why did I keep buying his books? If past experience is anything
A doubtful guest, indeed.
UPDATE: Let's try this again after a second read a s some reflection! Forgetting what I think Gorey is trying to say unlocks what I feel. The Doubtful Guest feels like
Anxiety
Depression
Isolation
It's a guest, so do I invite those things into my life? Maybe, but it's doubtful. I can scream at it to leave, and it ignores me. I sleep, but it gives me no peace. It spoils the things I enjoy, drowns the things I love. Year after year, it shows no sign of going away. What kind of guest is this? 4/5
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to go by, I'll return to this book and it'll start to find its place, and I mine with it. For now, a doubtful 3/5, which will likely improve with age.A doubtful guest, indeed.
UPDATE: Let's try this again after a second read a s some reflection! Forgetting what I think Gorey is trying to say unlocks what I feel. The Doubtful Guest feels like
Anxiety
Depression
Isolation
It's a guest, so do I invite those things into my life? Maybe, but it's doubtful. I can scream at it to leave, and it ignores me. I sleep, but it gives me no peace. It spoils the things I enjoy, drowns the things I love. Year after year, it shows no sign of going away. What kind of guest is this? 4/5
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LibraryThing member 912greens
A wonderful book for an insomniac to read at night time during those ungodly waking hours.
LibraryThing member caerulius
My favorite of the Gorey canon (followed by The Hapless Child). Sheer delightful brilliance.
LibraryThing member TheDivineOomba
When an ardvark/penguin thing gets invited into a home.
Not as good as Gashylcrumb Tinies, but still very enjoyable :)
Not as good as Gashylcrumb Tinies, but still very enjoyable :)
LibraryThing member dr_zirk
While The Doubtful Guest is not one of Edward Gorey's very best works, it's not bad, and certainly captures his familiar atmosphere of ennui, confusion, and mild dread. It's a slight work and a quick read, but Gorey could be a quite a bit better than this (see for example The Curious Sofa).
LibraryThing member Porscha89
The doubtful guest appears late one night at a house occupied by an ordinary family. He never wants to leave! The humor and illustrations in the book are wonderful!
I never read nor have I heard of this author before. I decided to try something different. I enjoy the poetry type writing the author
I would have my children write their own illustration book about something or someone they would consider an uninvited guest.
I never read nor have I heard of this author before. I decided to try something different. I enjoy the poetry type writing the author
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uses.I would have my children write their own illustration book about something or someone they would consider an uninvited guest.
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LibraryThing member riverwillow
Another Gorey twisted tale, this one a spoof comedy of manners in which an unexpected and strange guest arrives on the doorstep of a Victorian home, only to still be there 17 years later. The drawings are superb and this is Gorey on his very best form.
LibraryThing member Literate.Ninja
A gift from a friend, who insisted that Edward Gorey was one of her favorite artists, and that this book was a charming, if twisted, introduction to his work. After reading it, I thought it was cute, clever, and crazy. All things which are good in short comics.
LibraryThing member Cheryl_in_CC_NV
Just so you-all know, not everyone is a Gorey fan. I'm not. I found this at a charity sale and decided to give him another shot, but I'm not amused.
LibraryThing member ThothJ
One of my favorites
LibraryThing member ThothJ
One of my favorites
LibraryThing member ThothJ
One of my favorites
LibraryThing member ThothJ
One of my favorites
LibraryThing member kittyjay
A mysterious creature appears clad in a scarf and sneakers to a Victorian house, where it engages in shenanigans and poor manners, much to the dismay of the family living there.
No one does creepy-funny quite like Edward Gorey, and The Doubtful Guest is a glorious, adorable example of that.
No one does creepy-funny quite like Edward Gorey, and The Doubtful Guest is a glorious, adorable example of that.
LibraryThing member Maydacat
An unusual guest arrives out of the blue, does strange things, is accepted by the family and is still there 17 years later. Hmmmmm. Could the author be likening this creature to new additions to families everywhere, having children? Perhaps, perhaps not. Maybe it is just meant to be what it is: a
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cute poem with darling illustrations. Anyway, it is quite entertaining. Show Less
LibraryThing member robertbruceferguson
My first Edward Gorey book that I enjoyed. An unusual guest had entered the manor and it does unusual things while staying with the family. It peers up flues, it walks when it sleeps, and it never talks but stares. Will the family ever get rid of this nuisance.
Language
Original language
English
Original publication date
1957
Physical description
32 p.; 4.78 x 0.32 inches
ISBN
0151003130 / 9780151003136