Edward Gorey’s Amphigorey intrigued me, but also unsettled me. I very much like the art style of the pages, but I’m not sure how much I like his unsettling mix of mirth and murder. “The Curious Sofa” in particular made me uncomfortable! The first part of the story is ambiguous, yet the reader quickly jumps to the conclusion that the characters are partaking in some type of sexual acts. The ending, however, is much more ambiguous, yet leaves the reader with a terrifying sense that something awful is about to occur. It’s shocking, and it forces the reader to reevaluate everything they thought they knew occurred in the preceding pages. Personally, I didn’t enjoy this story, but I recognize the clever trap Gorey has set up.
