Edward Gorey's The Doubtful Guest is a darkly whimsical illustrated novella following the mysterious arrival of an inexplicable creature in a Victorian household. Through Gorey's distinctive pen-and-ink illustrations and deadpan prose, the story becomes a meditation on the intrusion of the strange into the ordinary and how we respond to the inexplicable. The book becomes both humorous and unsettling, proving that the best dark comedy emerges from taking the absurd seriously.

WHY WE PICKED IT: Because Gorey understood that the scariest things are often the ones we can't quite explain. This novella reminds us that mystery and ambiguity can be more powerful than clear answers, and that sometimes the best stories are the ones that refuse to resolve.

DETAILS: • Author: Edward Gorey • Publisher: Harper • Format: Hardcover • Publication Date: June 15, 1998 • ISBN: 9780151003136 • Ships direct from distributor in 3–7 business days