This story tale of petite Charlotte Sophia’s catastrophic, short life is classic Gorey. The poor child is orphaned and treated mercilessly by schoolmates and ruffians alike, and only barely survives–for a time, anyway–bythe skin of her baby teeth. Even her doll suffers a gruesome end. The little girl’s journey is perfect fodder for Edward Gorey’s brilliant pinwork, so detailed and perfectly wrought that it’s hard to believe he could master these images at such a small size (the illustrations reproduced in the book are the same size as his original drawings). The Hapless Child is widely regarded as one of Gorey’s best books; happily it is now back in print after an absence of many years, so that we can all enjoy weeping for Charlotte Sophia again…and again, and again.

Format: Hardcover
Published: in UK in 2008
Publisher: Pomegranate Art Books
Pages: 64
Language: English
ISBN 13: 9780764944680
ISBN 10: 0764944681