Edward Gorey granted local photographer and documentarian Christopher Seufert access to film many of his activities during the final years of his life. Memento Gorey: The Last Interviews With Edward Gorey (2026 Schiffer Publishing) is a beautifully produced volume illustrated with over 250 photographs documenting the final years of Edward Gorey's life on Cape Cod. Originally intended as a companion to the filmed documentary, the book has been released prior to the film's long awaited completion.
During the final decade of his life, Edward Gorey's primary artistic attention shifted from creating books and illustrations to producing his theatrical entertainments on the Cape. It is noted in several interviews that Mr. Gorey's professional colleagues and wider fan base were somewhat baffled by his total involvement in these small, local theatrical productions. However, these endeavors were an important part of his artistic oeuvre. Several interviews with noted artists, authors, colleagues, and friends are included to round out the overall view of Mr. Gorey's legacy.
The Theatrical Adventures of Edward Gorey: Rare Drawing, Scripts, and Stories by Carol Verburg (2024 Chronicale Books) meticulously covers Edward Gorey's lifelong involvement in theater. Most of the interviews in Memento Gorey relate to his theatrical works from the 1990's since that is the time period during which Mr. Seufert filmed Mr. Gorey. In many ways, Memento Gorey reads as a prequel or expanded liner notes to Ms. Verburg's book. A reader will have a deeper enjoyment and understanding of Mr. Seufert's book if they delve into The Theatrical Adventures of Edward Gorey first.
Memento Gorey's major flaw is also its strong point. The interviews are transcripts of the raw footage that was filmed for the documentary. Being unedited, many of the transcripts appear rambling and are often circular, revisiting topics that have already been discussed. There are also needless distractions that will presumably be streamlined in the editing of the final film. This extra random dialogue gives the reader the feeling that they are present at the recording sessions, but slows the narrative that the final documentary should have. The book also lacks the depth that the live footage of plays being rehearsed and performed will add to the dialogue.
Christopher Seufert's color photographs generously illustrate the book providing the reader with an inside look into Edward Gorey's home and environment, both during his lifetime and after his passing. Elephant House: Or, The Home of Edward Gorey by photographer Kevin McDermott (2004 Pomegranate) also offers a visual tour of Mr. Gorey's home at the time of his passing, and it is interesting to compare and contrast the approach of both photographers as they documented the home side by side.
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