# A is for Amy who fell down the stairs **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [August 27, 2002, 12:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-is-for-amy-who-fell-down-the-stairs/125759 "2002-08-27T12:19:10Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![TPWombat](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/bbce88/32.png) [@TPWombat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TPWombat)\ **Post date:** [August 27, 2002, 12:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-is-for-amy-who-fell-down-the-stairs/125759/1 "2002-08-27T12:19:10Z")
B is for Basil, assaulted by bears. C is for Clara who wasted away, D is for Desmond, thrown out of the sleigh… Yes!!! In [this](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?threadid=132548) thread Fenris speaks of the scary childrens stories of Heinrich Hoffman. This moved me to try a few searches on a children’s book I’d seen reviewed countless years ago. Not only got hits, but the books are still published!!! Wheeee!!! Author is **Edward Gorey** , 1925-2000. Book I saw reviewed is “ **The Gashlycrumb Tinies** ”. Will be purchasing everything by Gorey I can afford; anyone care to recommend? Anyone see this guy’s stuff when they were a kid and get freaked the hell out? Oh, btw googling on “Gashlycrumb Tinies” currently turns up a set of web pages with scans from the book. No link specified for obvious reasons. ---
**Author:** ![screech-owl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/82dd89/32.png) [@screech-owl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/screech-owl)\ **Post date:** [August 27, 2002, 12:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-is-for-amy-who-fell-down-the-stairs/125759/2 "2002-08-27T12:44:04Z")
I had that poster in college - freaked out my roommate. And a friend has the calendar page decorating her room. And I used to have a pop-up book with pull-tabs of people drowning in the swamps, trees closing in on the pathways where the unwary trod, and other eerie sights. Cool book. Might have been **The Evil Garden**. Get the **Amphigorey** books - nice collections. **The Curious Sofa** is another favorite of mine. One site has the dancing cat as jewelry. Mine is on order. ---
**Author:** ![Rilchiam](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/2bfe46/32.png) [@Rilchiam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rilchiam)\ **Post date:** [August 27, 2002, 1:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-is-for-amy-who-fell-down-the-stairs/125759/3 "2002-08-27T13:14:11Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by TPWombat \* > \*\*This moved me to try a few searches on a children’s book I’d seen reviewed countless years ago. > Not only got hits, but the books are still published!!! Wheeee!!! > > Author is **Edward Gorey** , 1925-2000. > > Book I saw reviewed is “ **The Gashlycrumb Tinies** ”. > Will be purchasing everything by Gorey I can afford; anyone care to recommend? Anyone see this guy’s stuff when they were a kid and get freaked the hell out? > > Oh, btw googling on “Gashlycrumb Tinies” currently turns up a set of web pages with scans from the book. No link specified for obvious reasons. \*\* Good god, man! That is not a children’s book! Gorey is brilliant, but his stuff is a satire on childrens lit the way South Park is a satire on kids’ TV. Good thing you **are** discovering him as an adult! ---
**Author:** ![CalMeacham](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/calmeacham/32/35_2.png) [@CalMeacham](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CalMeacham)\ **Post date:** [August 27, 2002, 1:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-is-for-amy-who-fell-down-the-stairs/125759/4 "2002-08-27T13:15:07Z")
I gave a copy of **The Audrey Gore Legacy** to a mystery-loving friend (It’s published separately, and also appears in one of the three **Amphigorey** collections). It’s a parody of the Agatha Christie-type mysteries, listing persons, weapons, motivations, and clues. (“Gradual” states one page of murder implements, “Arsenical Buns”. “Instantaneous”, reads the facing page, “Boulder”.) ---
**Author:** ![Eve](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/9e8a1a/32.png) [@Eve](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Eve)\ **Post date:** [August 27, 2002, 1:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-is-for-amy-who-fell-down-the-stairs/125759/5 "2002-08-27T13:32:20Z")
I bought _The Gashleycrumb Tinies_ for a friend’s daughter when she got to her ABC years. Someday that little girl will appreciate her Auntie Eve . . . ---
**Author:** ![Sublight](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/439d5e/32.png) [@Sublight](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sublight)\ **Post date:** [August 27, 2002, 1:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-is-for-amy-who-fell-down-the-stairs/125759/6 "2002-08-27T13:39:42Z")
Ah, yes, the Gashlycrumb Tinies. I had the poster of the little tykes on my wall all through college. My two favorites were: Edmund, who choked on a peach. Look on his face as he stares at the peach is one of utter resignation. He knows he’s going to die. Titus, who flew into bits. The look of anticipation as he’s opening the package. ---
**Author:** ![Fenris](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fenris/32/498_2.png) [@Fenris](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fenris)\ **Post date:** [August 27, 2002, 2:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-is-for-amy-who-fell-down-the-stairs/125759/7 "2002-08-27T14:02:45Z")
There’s a similar book called “The Z was Zapped”. It’s an alphabet book that has each letter of the alphabet coming on stage and being horribly murdered by a method beginning with it’s letter: “The P was Poisoned”, “The Q was pushed into Quicksand” and like that. Fenris ---
**Author:** ![Scarlett67](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/scarlett67/32/7387_2.png) [@Scarlett67](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Scarlett67)\ **Post date:** [August 27, 2002, 2:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-is-for-amy-who-fell-down-the-stairs/125759/8 "2002-08-27T14:45:50Z")
I have a friend who looooves Edward Gorey. She’s 15 and discovered him when she was about 10. For more great not-for-children books, check out Shel Silverstein’s Uncle Shelby series. Hilarious! ---
**Author:** ![Judith\_Prietht](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/b19c9b/32.png) [@Judith\_Prietht](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Judith_Prietht)\ **Post date:** [August 27, 2002, 3:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-is-for-amy-who-fell-down-the-stairs/125759/9 "2002-08-27T15:08:52Z")
And then there’s the beginning sequence for **Mystery!** ; I love the collapsed lady, moaning softly: “Ahhh! Ahhhhhh!” I enjoy sending Gorey Christmas cards. They just seem to capture the desolation of the holiday season _sooo_ well. ---
**Author:** ![elfkin477](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/a9a28c/32.png) [@elfkin477](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elfkin477)\ **Post date:** [August 28, 2002, 12:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-is-for-amy-who-fell-down-the-stairs/125759/10 "2002-08-28T00:41:44Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by screech-owl \* > \*\*I had that poster in college - freaked out my roommate. > \*\* Me too! Except by that point I didn’t have the roommate, so it just freaked out people who visited my room. I miss that poster 😃 ---
**Author:** ![screech-owl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/82dd89/32.png) [@screech-owl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/screech-owl)\ **Post date:** [August 28, 2002, 1:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-is-for-amy-who-fell-down-the-stairs/125759/11 "2002-08-28T01:24:32Z")
Ohhh, and not to mention the fact that he would ‘change his name’, either by rearranging the letters or translating it [Edward and Gor(e)y] into a foreign language; one of those smack-youself-in-the-forehead moments. “Edvard Blutig” was my ‘favorite’ author of all of them. [A bibliography](http://www.fearofdolls.com/gorey1.html) Damn, I gotta get another poster. I need something to cheer up the dull walls of the condo. ---
**Author:** ![Miller](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/miller/32/481_2.png) [@Miller](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Miller)\ **Post date:** [August 28, 2002, 1:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-is-for-amy-who-fell-down-the-stairs/125759/12 "2002-08-28T01:41:20Z")
I still have my childhood copy of _Amphigorey Too_. Lost the first volume at some point. Hrm… Time to replace it. Isn’t there also an _Amphigorey Also_? ---
**Author:** ![xcheopis](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/x/bc8723/32.png) [@xcheopis](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/xcheopis)\ **Post date:** [August 28, 2002, 1:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-is-for-amy-who-fell-down-the-stairs/125759/13 "2002-08-28T01:51:13Z")
When I was but a wee young lassie, **The Wuggly Ump** was my favourite story. I, too, loved **The Gashlycrumb Tinies** , as well as **The Doubtful Guest** and, when I was in Junior High, **The Listing Attic**. I still have the **Amphigorey** books and have my eye on a few of his first editions. I also have two Gorey stamps; one of The Doubtful Guest and one with Jellico Cats. **Miller** , Amphigorey Amphigorey Too Amphigorey Also Green Apple Books still carries them. If you refrain from any slurs against belly dancers for a week, I will exercise my discount on your behalf. 😉 ---
**Author:** ![Soul\_Brother\_Number\_Two](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/soul_brother_number_two/32/3515_2.png) [@Soul\_Brother\_Number\_Two](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Soul_Brother_Number_Two)\ **Post date:** [August 28, 2002, 2:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-is-for-amy-who-fell-down-the-stairs/125759/14 "2002-08-28T02:12:18Z")
I as well had the poster in college. My favorite was “…who wasted away.” Can’t remember the name. Anybody? ---
**Author:** ![Briny\_Deep](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/briny_deep/32/17188_2.png) [@Briny\_Deep](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Briny_Deep)\ **Post date:** [August 28, 2002, 2:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-is-for-amy-who-fell-down-the-stairs/125759/15 "2002-08-28T02:40:34Z")
I squealed when I saw the thread title. I am noting down every person in this thread as (a) a sick fuck and (b) exactly my kind of person. Gorey can do no wrong. He’s part of my test of new lovers (back when I did that kind of thing) – if a potential mate does not “get” Gorey, he’s out the door. Gorey-appreciation is an absolute requirement for closeness. I just don’t feel right being around people who don’t like Gorey. Was introduced to him when I was 12 (it really should have happened much earlier) through a puzzle book of Gorey works, given to me, ironically, by my very religious father. It had about half of the Gashleycrumb Tinies in one puzzle, and I made up rhymes for the missing bits; a couple of them turned out to be pretty close to what Gorey had written (wasn’t I a pleased little boy). I sought out and obtained all three Amphigorey books, and over the years have collected a few hardbacks of books not in the Amphigorey series. One had these three strange creatures assaulting each other with marmalade, etc., another was about making ever-increasing quantities of white sauce, and painting the Christmas ornaments black. There’s an accordian-folded book which opens up to reveal a monster in a tunnel. I forget the titles and I’m too lazy to go look. I also have an edition of Charles Dickens’ _Bleak House_ illustrated by Gorey (including, fittingly, the Spontaneous Human Combustion scene). > [@](#): > > _originally posted by CalMeacham_ > **The Audrey Gore Legacy** [snip] (“Gradual” states one page of murder implements, “Arsenical Buns”. “Instantaneous”, reads the facing page, “Boulder”.) My fave was “Inexplicable” - confetti. > [@](#): > > _originally posted by screech-owl_ > Ohhh, and not to mention the fact that he would ‘change his name’, either by rearranging the letters Mrs. Regera Dowdy. All-time best. Ahh, Gorey memories… The Loathsome Couple … The Hapless Child (“He took her to a low place.”) … The Insect God … The Emerald Necklace … The Beastly Baby … The Bug Book (a happy one, and in color) … The Fatal Losenge (“The Governess up in the attic/Attempts to make a cup of tea;/Her mind grows daily more erratic/From cold and hunger and ennui.”) … Oh, The Object Lesson. “It was already Thursday, but his Lordship’s artificial limb could not be found; therefore, having directed the servants to fill the baths, he seized the tongs and set out at once for the edge of the lake, where the Throbblefoot Spectre still loitered in a distraught manner. He presented it with a length of string [the Spectre makes a cat’s cradle out of it, and still looks distraught] and passed on to the statue of Corrupted Endeavor [the statue is lying on its side, propped up on one elbow] to await the arrival of Autumn.” Now who could not love this stuff? Another thing: the names, placenames, names of hotels, operas, etc… Names: Miss Skrim-Pshaw Henry Clump Marchioness of Bunworry St. Egfroth (martyred on a bicycle) Monsieur Bandage-Herniaire Towns: Collapsed Pudding Lying-In-The-Way Nether Millstone Hiccupboro Penetralia Something Awful Operas: _Lizzia Bordena Crudele, Queen of Corinth La Reine des Iguanes La Vengeance Posthume_ **essvee** : C is for Clara who wasted away. ---
**Author:** ![Weirddave](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/919ad9/32.png) [@Weirddave](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Weirddave)\ **Post date:** [August 28, 2002, 3:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-is-for-amy-who-fell-down-the-stairs/125759/16 "2002-08-28T03:07:16Z")
The Fatal Lozenge: An Alphabet is BRILLIANT! I like it better than the Tinies. As best as i can recall: _The proctor buys the student ices and hopes that he will not resist when he attempts to practice vices few people even know exist._ The shifty look on the adult’s face is perfect. ---
**Author:** ![DarkWriter](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/ee59a6/32.png) [@DarkWriter](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DarkWriter)\ **Post date:** [August 28, 2002, 4:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-is-for-amy-who-fell-down-the-stairs/125759/17 "2002-08-28T04:06:46Z")
I love Edward Gorey. One of my most prized possessions is an Edward Gorey postcard, sent to me by Neil Gaiman. I will definitely add Ed Gorey books to my Christmas/Birthday list this year. Sheri ---
**Author:** ![Deadly\_Nightlight](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/6a8cbe/32.png) [@Deadly\_Nightlight](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Deadly_Nightlight)\ **Post date:** [August 28, 2002, 4:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-is-for-amy-who-fell-down-the-stairs/125759/18 "2002-08-28T04:10:20Z")
OMG this stuff is great I want a poster NOW! ---
**Author:** ![j666](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/9de0a6/32.png) [@j666](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/j666)\ **Post date:** [August 28, 2002, 5:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-is-for-amy-who-fell-down-the-stairs/125759/19 "2002-08-28T05:05:44Z")
No-one has mentioned ‘The Glorious Nosebleed’. But don’t you worry about children who appreciated Gorey? I did … ---
**Author:** ![Violet](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/ebca7d/32.png) [@Violet](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Violet)\ **Post date:** [August 28, 2002, 5:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-is-for-amy-who-fell-down-the-stairs/125759/20 "2002-08-28T05:38:45Z")
Gorey lover, too. I recently bought _Before I Go, You Should Know_, which contains Gorey illustrations and a Gorey magnet: [http://www.funerals.org/bookstore/index.htm](http://www.funerals.org/bookstore/index.htm) Also a fan of Gahan Wilson & Silverstein (the ABZ book). Hmm. Never considered myself as \*a sick fuck \*! :eek: [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-is-for-amy-who-fell-down-the-stairs/125759.md?page=2)