The Epiplectic Bicycle

Mr. Gorey is many things -- an funny story-teller, a master wordsmith and -- best of all, I think -- a very accomplished artist. [I am reduced these days to using a magnifying glass to appreciate just how good!] I bought this book, with some reservations, as a gift for a second-grader. Because Gorey's books tend to be somewhat gory. Just as the Grimms' tales are quite grim, albeit not explicitly so.Anyway, I made an appropriate choice (as her mom, a physician) reassurecd me. And I wasn't surprised. When our daughter was in kindergarten, she insisted on being told a bedtime story. And it was a task that befell me. So I'd ask, "What kind of story do you want tonight? One about a fairy princess? One about a very pretty, smart girl whom everybody really liked? Or one about a blood-thirsty werewolf?" Well, you know the answer!And, as I spun the yarn, I morphosed slowly into the werewolf itself -- the, um, "protagonist"-- and I attacked her neck as I spoke! And she screamed, of course, which prompted my wife's appearance, saying, "Alright you two -- break it up!" To our daughter's protestations! She wanted "Just five more minutes! Okay, Mom?"BTW, if you want a first sampling of Gorey, select THE HAPLESS CHILD.! Darkly funny, witn the emphasis on "darkly"! That child was hapless, indeed. As were her associates! She had a long and sad tail, as Alice's Dormouse would tell us.

I bought this book as a lighthearted reminder that life is too precious to be worrying about what’s coming up. It’s my reminder to live for the day after negative circumstances.

The media could not be loaded.  Epipleptic Bicycle is my second favorite book right after the Gashlycrumb Tinies. The story of two siblings who go on an adventure on a found bicycle. Without revealing too much, there are a number of interpretations for such a simple book. But being that this is a Gorey, it is quite possible that they are all true. There is dark humor throughout and the possibility of demise. You might also enjoy a fairytale about a little girl and a haunted house in the tradition of Edward Gorey:  The Stumps of Flattop Hill

Rather morbid, hilariously funny. It's Edward Gorey. Great book.

My daughter, who is silly funny and dark Loves this book.

It's Edward Gorey- quirky and fun.

The grand adventures of two naughty children and a "found" bicycle. May or may not involve time travel and mud puddles. Guaranteed to make your kid smile and immediately demand another Edward Gorey book....

It's a cool book, and I like the art and everything. But it's simply too short. I feel like a book, especially for this price, should be more substantial.

I love this book.If you asked me to define my sense of humour, then the consecutive captions, "They rode past a great many turnip fields...", "but as it was the wrong time of year, they didn't see any turnips." comes pretty close.I also love that the chapter headings go one, two, four, seven... etc. giving the impression that if the "missing" chapters were present then the whole thing would make sense!I really love this book.

Love Edward Gorey. Loved this book. It came with a rip in the front cover but, knowing how the post office in my country works, I cannot blame the seller.

I loved this book, it feels like an indulgence although it requires acceptance of its simplicity, ( and there is nothing simple in simplicity). The illustrations are fun, it's lovely to share - opens a wealth of conversations.

fab book, but not for the masses. rather dark and deep, but completely different and rather exciting

Exactly as chosen, prompt delivery. It was a gift.