I enjoy wandering through second-hand book stores. Sometimes I find genuine treasures. Unluckily, most store owners recognise the gems before I spot them. A case in point was a very expensive book I found a while ago. At $115 it was a little rich for me although it was an almost mint copy published in 1972.
In 1963, illustrator and author Edward Gorey published an alphabet book so delightfully subversive that it destroyed the very premise of the genre — making children feel comfortable and inspiring them to learn — that it took the macabre humor genre to a new level.
From ““A is for Amy who fell down the stairs,” to “Z is for Zillah who drank too much gin.” The Gashlycrumb Tinies was a delight for those with twisted minds.
Anyway, I came home, made a note on my “to do” list. A few days ago I found that note and did some googling. I found this version on one of the aggragator sites which I will not publicise here as it leads to so many other sites, not all of which are suitable for children.
Ærchies Archive - Digital Detritus 
i have never heard of this – love the drawings of Edward Gorey, though. After going through each alphabetical demise, i must say that poor Neville suffered the most ghastly death, in my opinion…
thank you so much for this! a big ol’ grin n a cold winter day!
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Oh! The delightful Gorey. Somewhere on the Web I saw his name, quite recently.
Thanks for the nod, Archie.
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You did a post on Gorey as well? Coincidence is abounding. Where?
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A friend of mine has a copy of this book, a later edition that was not quite so expensive. Adorable illustrations.
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