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Edward Gorey: Mister Sinister Cozy
Date and Time
Wednesday Nov 4, 2026
6:00 PM - 7:30 PM EST
Wednesday, November 4, 6:00PM
Location
Ashaway Free Library
Contact Information
401-377-2770
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Edward Gorey: Mister Sinister Cozy
Description
This program is free and open to the public but space is limited so registration is required. Please email ashawayfreelibrary@gmail.com to sign up.
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Terrible things unfold in an Edward Gorey Book—children get swept out to sea, abducted by murderous insects, fall into unsavory company, or get carried off by giant birds. Sometimes they die of boredom. Edward writes, and draws, about everyday life and—for reasons that get covered in this presentation—his books are a delight and extremely funny—mostly. Gorey’s work as an author, book artist, illustrator, and designer is frequently categorized as Whimsically Macabre, though we prefer Edward’s own term, Sinister Cozy. His work looks a century or so older than it is yet remains thirty years ahead of us. The presentation is an overview of Gorey’s life and his weaving of the 19th Century and the Modern. It discusses Edward’s influences and touches on the 2026 exhibit at the Edward Gorey House: O Sordid Type Edward Gorey’s Art of Lettering.
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Terrible things unfold in an Edward Gorey Book—children get swept out to sea, abducted by murderous insects, fall into unsavory company, or get carried off by giant birds. Sometimes they die of boredom. Edward writes, and draws, about everyday life and—for reasons that get covered in this presentation—his books are a delight and extremely funny—mostly. Gorey’s work as an author, book artist, illustrator, and designer is frequently categorized as Whimsically Macabre, though we prefer Edward’s own term, Sinister Cozy. His work looks a century or so older than it is yet remains thirty years ahead of us. The presentation is an overview of Gorey’s life and his weaving of the 19th Century and the Modern. It discusses Edward’s influences and touches on the 2026 exhibit at the Edward Gorey House: O Sordid Type Edward Gorey’s Art of Lettering.
Gregory Hischak is a writer, performer, and designer who has created exhibits at the Edward Gorey House since 2014. He is the author of E is for Edward A Centennial Celebration of the Mischievous Mind of Edward Gorey. He has been the Gorey House’s Director since 2020 and has now been collaborating with Edward for almost a dozen years. Edward remains the perfect boss: open to endless interpretation and not prone to disagreement—as he is dead.
