| | The curious sofa, |  | Author: Edward Gorey
Publisher: Astor-Honor
Category: Book
This item is no longer available
Avg. Customer Rating:  23 reviews
ASIN: B0006CFR28
Publication Date: 1973
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| Customer Reviews:
 Volume Eleven Of The "Encyclopedia Of Unimaginable Customs" November 21, 2004
17 out of 18 found this review helpful
In a typically odd work by Edward Gorey, the protagonist, Alice, gets her eyes opened to many new experiences by companions of various sorts (including Colonel Gilbert and his wife Louise, both of whom have wooden legs, and Donald, a sheepdog). All these new activities are strangely suggestive, but not what most people would actually call pornographic; after all, the book is only illustrated with Gorey's discreet little drawings.
The sofa itself is contained in a room lined in polar bear fur, is upholstered in scarlet velvet, and has nine legs and seven arms; when the machinery starts within it Alice shudders and the book concludes in a delightfully ambiguous manner, in what may well be one of the strangest endings of any of Gorey's books.
I like Gorey, and this is a good little book, but is not actually one of my favorites, as I think there are others more whimsical, and a few are even stranger. For Gorey lovers this is a great little book, but understand that it is quite small, which makes it a questionable value, particularly in light of the excellent compilations available.
 A Sinful Little Tale July 17, 2000
13 out of 15 found this review helpful
This delightfully illustrated tale tells the story of Alice and her wicked little sexual encounters. The illustrations never show anything inappropriate nor is the prose ever truly pornographic, yet the reader knows exactly what is going on by observing the characters knowing smiles. Edward Gorey is a wonderful illustrator and a literary delight, which this classic little tale shows.
Yummy! September 25, 2000
13 out of 15 found this review helpful
Sex and death without ever really speaking about either--plant your tongue firmly in your cheek, because Gorey is the master.If you're particularly wicked, give this book to prudish relatives at Christmastime.
The best dirty book I've ever read August 14, 2002
9 out of 14 found this review helpful
The Curious Sofa is the best dirty book I've ever looked at or read. It is the tale of a sexual adventure gone wildly out of control. Ogdred Weary's prose reads rather like an erotic, almost-picaresque retelling of Gosford Park. It's astonishing, just how proper a fetishistic, sadomasochistic kink session can be when populated by upper-class folk (and a Old English Sheepdog). The book is made even better by the artwork of Edward Gorey, which has more in common with the direction of Alfred Hitchcock than the in-your-face pictorials of Larry Flynt. But if you're a fan of Gorey, you know that already.
What 'Story of O' coulda/shoulda been May 10, 2002
8 out of 11 found this review helpful
Unless you kink in that direction, don't bother reading "Story of O' instead have a delightful, intelligent, nearly naughty romp through 'The Curious Sofa.' The entire book primly surfs just on the very edge of wickedness, making such wonderful fun of sexual sadism, of all things! I never knew I had such a dirty mind, but Edward Gorey makes having one good, clean fun.
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