The Blue Aspic [Hardcover]

Edward Gorey (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: August 2009

Ortenzia Caviglia is an undiscovered opera understudy whose lucky break results from the mysterious murder of the reigning diva. Upon hearing her sing, Jasper Ankle becomes her deepest admirer, undaunted by perilous weather and abject poverty in his quest to hear her sing. As Ortenzia's star rises, Jasper sinks further into despair, until performer and fan collide in true Edward Gorey fashion. Exquisitely illustrated with Gorey's signature pen-and-ink crosshatching, The Blue Aspic is a heart-wrenching and oddly hilarious tale of unrequited love and the dangers of celebrity.

Treasured by adoring fans since its original release in 1968, The Blue Aspic remains an iconic masterpiece from the one and only great Mr. Gorey.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Creator of over one hundred works, Edward Gorey (1925--2000) was also a playwright, an award-winning set and costume designer, and the creator of the animated introduction to the PBS series Mystery!

Product Details

• Hardcover: 64 pages
• Publisher: Pomegranate Communications (August 2009)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0764950622
• ISBN-13: 978-0764950629
• Product Dimensions: 6.7 x 7.2 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #53,448 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Edward Gorey (1925-2000) wrote and illustrated such popular books as The Doubtful Guest, The Gashlycrumb Tinies, and The Headless Bust. He was also a very successful set and costume designer, earning a Tony Award for his Broadway production of Edward Gorey's Dracula. Animated sequences of his work have introduced the PBS series Mystery! since 1980.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

13 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars One of my favorites, March 30, 2010

By 

Joyce Levy (Northbrook, Illinois USA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: The Blue Aspic (Hardcover)

I first saw Edward Gorey Artwork when I was 2 years old, and began collecting his books and artwork by the time I was 18. The drawings in the Blue Aspic are classic gorgeous Gorey at his most fabulous, each page dripping with amazing black and white patterns in exciting fabrics, wallpapers, sets, etc. His women are exotic beauties, his men in fur coats and mysterious. The humor is mordant. Dont miss this volume.

5.0 out of 5 stars One of Gorey's finest works, January 20, 2012

By 

Christopher Culver - See all my reviews
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This review is from: The Blue Aspic (Hardcover)

THE BLUE ASPIC is one of Gorey's works containing pen-and-ink drawings with accompanying captions. A grim tale of love and death like his THE LOATHSOME COUPLE, it concerns the obsessive love of a disturbed fan for a diva soprano.

THE BLUE ASPIC stands as one of my favourite Gorey books. The drawings are among his most finely detailed, and the structure of the story, with alternating pages tracking unwell fan Jasper Ankle and his idol Caviglia, is quite elegant. Gorey's style isn't for everyone. Readers without any knowledge of opera will miss most of the jokes here. And for one who hasn't read any Gorey yet, THE OTHER STATUE is perhaps the best introduction. But if you are familiar with the world of fine music, and are a fan of droll and macabre humour, THE BLUE ASPIC is worth reading. It's nice to see that this book, long out of print in standalone publication, is readily available again. It has also been reprinted in the AMPHIGOREY ALSO collection.

5.0 out of 5 stars This is macabre in a good way, December 28, 2011

By 

scotluv - See all my reviews

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This review is from: The Blue Aspic (Hardcover)

And that is saying something when you are talking about subjects like murder and stalking. When I was a child, Mystery Theater was on regularly and I always loved the intros. Never knew who did them until becoming an adult and the Internet provided me with the answer. Since I have purchased several Gorey books and this is one of his best.