As Edward Imagined: A Story of Edward Gorey in Three Acts

 
　　愛德華．高栗（Edward Gorey），一個被認為是圖畫書界最古怪奇特的天才作家，常用暗黑面的視角切入創作，無論是在藝術性上，或是故事性上，皆獲得無數創作大師推崇，包括奇幻大師尼爾．蓋曼（Neil Gaiman）、奧斯卡金獎導演吉勒摩戴托羅（Guillermo Del Toro）、童書插畫大師莫里斯．桑達克（Maurice Sendak）、湯米．溫格爾（Tomi Ungerer）、雍．卡拉森（Jon Klassen）等人皆是其粉絲，影響力遍及藝術、文學、電影，戲劇、設計等各領域。
 
　　愛德華．高栗為什麼有這麼大的魅力？本書採用「三幕劇」的獨特架構，帶領讀者一探高栗的傳奇一生。第一幕聚焦高栗的童年時期，他從一歲半就開始畫畫，三歲半自學開始閱讀，不到六歲就讀完吸血鬼卓古拉的故事。他還會把腳指甲塗成綠色，光腳大搖大擺走在芝加哥大街上。有趣的小故事，勾勒出高栗從小就展現的獨特個性。
 
　　第二幕則跟隨高栗的腳步來到紐約，見證他如何以獨特方式取得事業上的成功。他不只為經典作品設計風格獨具的封面，也從事自己的創作。雖然他的作品未立即獲得成功，但其哥德式的氛圍、黑暗諷刺的幽默調性，特異的藝術風格為他吸引越來越多的矚目。同時他也受邀為百老匯舞台劇《德古拉》設計舞台和服裝，令人震撼的視覺效果，為他贏得東尼獎最佳服裝設計獎。
 
　　第三幕則描繪高栗待在美國麻州鱈魚角的晚年時光，在六隻愛貓的陪伴下，他持續從事寫作、畫畫，參與社區戲劇製作，並收集了上萬冊書籍，以及從各式各樣的骷髏到海邊石頭等奇特物件。
 
　　本書作者馬修．博吉斯（Matthew Burgess）以精闢又有趣的文字，搭配法國繪本插畫家馬克．麥耶斯基（Marc Majewski）灑脫的筆觸和飽滿的色彩，帶領讀者們走進愛德華．高栗的傳奇一生。看他如何開拓屬於自己的道路，不受任何名譽利益影響，堅守自己的創意，並將其怪奇的世界觀，融合源源不絕的創意能量和古怪幽默，成就偉大藝術創作。　

From an acclaimed author and illustrator team, here is a definitive picture book biography about a true original and creative genius: Edward Gorey.

A NEW YORK TIMES/NEW YORK PUBLIC LIBRARY BEST ILLUSTRATED CHILDREN’S BOOK OF THE YEAR!

Discover the unique childhood and life of the enigmatic and eccentric Edward Gorey whose artwork and books had a profound impact on creators such as Neil Gaiman, Lemony Snicket, and Tim Burton.

Even as a young boy, readers learn that Edward constantly forged his own path, passions, and pursuits never forsaking his individuality for fame.This brilliant picture book biography is paired with a whimsical art style that captures the unrelenting creativity Edward brought to his playfully macabre creations.

Matthew Burgess is the author of Enormous Smallness: A Story of E. E. Cummings, and The Unbudgeable Curmudgeon. He has been a poet-in-residence in New York City elementary schools through the Teachers & Writers Collaborative since 2001. His work has appeared in various magazines and journals, and he recently received an award from the Fund for Poetry. He teaches creative writing and composition at Brooklyn College and lives in Brooklyn, New York.

Marc Majewski is a French author-illustrator based in Berlin. After obtaining a degree in literature and arts, he studied illustration and painting for two years. His picture books include, Does Earth Feel?, and Butterfly Child.