The Gashlycrumb Tinies: From Basil to Desmond, 26 children meet grim fates in Edward Gorey's darkly witty, surreal illustrated alphabet

Ostensibly a children's book (but beloved by many adults), Edward Gorey's “The Gashlycrumb Tinies”, originally published in 1963, has never set well with certain members of the reading public who decry its content as too disturbing, too sick, or simply just too much for their fragile constitutions (and, allegedly, the constitutions of any sheltered offspring they may have under their command). Presented in a series of interrelated rhyming couplets, the book, in less than 30 pages, succinctly recounts the grisly and untimely demises of 26 unfortunate “tinies” (children) who are, often as a result of their own folly, dispatched in alphabetical order (“A is for Amy...”, “B is for Basil”...etc.). The result is a jet-black combination of Gorey's clever, hair-raising humor and the delightfully morbid illustrations that accompany the tinies' fatal misadventures. I was a child myself when I first read this and I find it as entertaining today as I did 55 years ago: it's a work chock-full of giggles that's also a parody of every parents worst nightmare. But, while I understand Gorey's sense of humor may not appeal to everyone, I find the expressions of horror and disgust that continue to greet this book to be ridiculous, and more reflective of some reader's coddled natures than as fair or accurate critiques. Those of us entranced by the old Grimm's Fairy Tales as toddlers were pretty much inured to the iniquities of the sanguinary finger of fate by the time “The Gashlycrumb Tinies” came out. If you haven't read Edward Gorey, “The Gashlycrumb Tinies” is as good a place as any to start. It's short, to-the-point and, once you've finished, you'll undoubtedly know whether or not you're a Gorey fan.

Perfect for people with a macabre sense of humor like myself.

My teen wanted this book after seeing it somewhere on the internet and now she’s always talking about how she’s dying of ennui. She does love the book and I love studying the line work and cross hatching.

I love this book! You can't go wrong with the work of Edward Gorey! His dark illustrations are both entertaining and sublime. The book is a perfect little treat - I gave it to a friend as a Halloween gift and she loved it! I highly recommend this!

This is such a wickedly entertaining treat from my childhood. My morbid humour developed rather quickly, encouraged by my mother and her love of Gothic horror. This is a perfect starter of the macabre and breaking conventions. A great, sort of pint-size gift for the Addams Family type members of your family. I took a picture aside my Bing Crosby CDs (I believe in strong contrasts, I'm as surly as I am cheerful), to demonstrate the size comparison. Arrived in wonderful condition, the illustrations are as delightful as I remember. However, I wish there was a little bio about Edward Gorey in the back since it has just three empty pages, I realize how books are binded but still one short sweet picture/paragraph makes it more complete for me.

Morbid as all get-out, and funny, too. Gorey was a wonderful artist, with a great feeling for time and place.

For those with a dark sense of humor. Pictures are great!!

This is probably a Gen X thing, and that's okay. This book was made into a poster that was popular in the '80s and '90s, especially among certain subcultures, some of which would become "Goth". I decided to get the book form, and I love it. It shouldn't stop you from getting the poster as well.

Per quanto sia strano definire adorabile un libro in cui bambini muoiono in vari modi, è l'unico aggettivo adatto. Il testo è in rima, in ogni pagina c'è una lettera dell'alfabeto, il nome del bambino e cosa gli è successo. Le illustrazioni sono in bianco e nero, molto dettagliate e macabre. Questo libro è un ottimo regalo se la persona che lo riceve ha il giusto senso dell'umorismo. (Ultima parole sul servizio Amazon: perfetto e puntuale come sempre).

O tipo de humor duvidoso que acho fantástico. Apaixonada pelo livrinho.

Dieses Buch liebt man hauptsächlich wegen seiner Zeichnungen, die sind wirklich gelungen und wunderschön. Für Tim Burton Fan ein Muss!

Stocking filler for your favourite goth with a dark & twisted sense of humour. This iconic book is the size of a CD.

No problem. It's very beauty. Thank you so much☆.