The Willowdale Handcar: or the Return of the Black Doll [Hardcover]

Edward Gorey (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: October 6, 2003

In this enigmatic, surreal, wonderfully entertaining tale, three mysterious figures set out from Willowdale, traveling by handcar. On the way to nowhere in particular they pass a number of odd characters and observe a series of baffling phenomena, from a house burning down in a field to a palatial mansion perched precariously on a bluff.
At once deeply vexing and utterly hilarious, darkly mysterious and amusingly absurd, The Willowdale Handcar is vintage Edward Gorey.

Editorial Reviews

Review

PRAISE FOR EDWARD GOREY
"Dark masterpieces of surreal morality . . . beautifully depicted."-Vanity Fair

"A master of a genre of graphic storytelling [and] a brilliant draftsman."-The New York Times Book Review

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.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 64 pages
• Publisher: Houghton Mifflin Harcourt; 1 edition (October 6, 2003)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0151010358
• ISBN-13: 978-0151010356
• Product Dimensions: 6.2 x 5.9 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #310,991 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #40 in Books > Arts & Photography > Drawing > Pen & Ink

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

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A tale for the Age of Uncertainty., January 3, 2007

By 

A. Davis (Batavia, IL) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Willowdale Handcar: or the Return of the Black Doll (Hardcover)

If you have given up on trying to find meanings, or causes and effects, a Gorey book will be just right for you, and this is pne of his best.

5.0 out of 5 stars Edward Gorey at His Best, January 6, 2009

By 

Beaumont Hardy "Beaumont Hardy Editing" - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: The Willowdale Handcar: or the Return of the Black Doll (Hardcover)

The Willowdale Handcar is hilarious. The main characters inexplicably ride a handcar past all kinds of shocking and tragic scenes, about which they barely even comment. An underlying mystery develops but remains only vaguely resolved. Edward Gorey's characters are colorful and entertainingly odd.

5 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Deliciously Absurd, December 10, 2003

By 

J. Black (Ontario, Canada) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Willowdale Handcar: or the Return of the Black Doll (Hardcover)

Those who know Edward Gorey know his humour is not for everyone. That said, for those who appreciate this shade of humour (often also fans of the likes of Tim Burton and Charles Addams), this will be a treat. I'll admit that I laughed myself silly with The Willowdale Handcart.