Edward Gorey has a very distinct style. You know it instantly. His books often have macabre humor, Victorian settings, and a sense of the absurd. For readers who love this aesthetic, there are other authors with a similar sensibility.
They also explore dark comedy and the strange. Sometimes they add a touch of the gothic, sometimes they use a completely deadpan delivery.
If you enjoy Edward Gorey’s dark humor, playful gloom, and odd characters, consider reading Angela Carter. Her book “The Bloody Chamber” is a collection of twisted fairy tales told with vivid imagination and eerie elegance.
Carter reinterprets familiar stories like “Bluebeard” and “Little Red Riding Hood,” infusing them with lush detail, haunting atmosphere, and sharp wit. Each tale explores creepy castles, secret rooms, forbidden desires, and unsettling discoveries.
Carter’s style blends the beautiful with the sinister. It leaves readers enchanted, disturbed, and eager to read more.
Readers who appreciate Edward Gorey’s darkly humorous and whimsical style might also enjoy the spooky novels of Bram Stoker. Stoker was an Irish author famous for his gothic horror masterpiece, “Dracula.”
The story follows Jonathan Harker, a young lawyer who travels to Transylvania to help Count Dracula purchase an estate in England. Harker soon realizes that his client is not what he seems, as mysterious events occur around Dracula’s arrival in Victorian London.
With atmospheric settings, eerie suspense, and memorable characters such as the determined Professor Van Helsing, the novel explores folklore and ambition, obsession and bravery.
“Dracula” offers a thrilling mix of mystery and horror, wrapped in the charm and atmosphere of the late 19th century.
Edgar Allan Poe Edgar Allan Poe is a master storyteller known for his dark imagination, atmospheric writing, and intriguing characters. Readers who enjoy Edward Gorey’s eerie illustrations and mysterious style might appreciate Poe’s “The Fall of the House of Usher.”
In this classic tale, the narrator visits his troubled friend, Roderick Usher, in a gloomy and decaying mansion. Soon strange and unsettling events start to unfold. Madness, unexplained noises, and haunting melancholy build toward the chilling climax.
Poe creates an unforgettable setting filled with suspense and psychological tension, making this a must-read for those who relish Gothic fiction with a disturbing twist.
Readers who enjoy Edward Gorey’s darkly humorous and macabre illustrations might appreciate the eerie fiction of H. P. Lovecraft. Lovecraft crafts stories filled with unsettling horror and strange cosmic beings that lurk in forgotten corners of the world.
In his novella “The Shadow Over Innsmouth,” a young man visits a decaying fishing town called Innsmouth. He gradually discovers a terrifying secret about its townspeople, who worship mysterious undersea beings.
As he explores further, the visitor slowly uncovers truths about himself and the deep horror hidden beneath the waves. Lovecraft’s vivid storytelling and atmosphere of dread can capture readers drawn to Gorey’s blend of whimsy and darkness.
If you enjoy Edward Gorey’s dark and whimsical illustrations and quirky storytelling, Neil Gaiman offers a fantastic reading experience. Gaiman’s book “Coraline” tells the eerie tale of a young girl named Coraline who discovers a hidden door in her new home.
Behind it lies another flat identical to her own—with another mother and father who offer strange affection. At first, this new world seems perfect, but Coraline quickly realizes something sinister hides behind the façade.
Bravery and imagination guide her through a chilling adventure full of mystery, charm, and subtle dread. Neil Gaiman’s vivid imagination and unique storytelling often resonate with readers who appreciate Gorey’s fascinating blend of the macabre and playful.
Readers who enjoy Edward Gorey’s quirky blend of dark humor and whimsical storytelling may also appreciate Roald Dahl. Dahl’s books often balance humor with peculiar, slightly unsettling elements.
One great example is “Matilda,” which tells the story of a small, brilliant girl named Matilda Wormwood.
Matilda grows up with neglectful parents who have no clue about her extraordinary abilities, and she faces headmistress Miss Trunchbull, a villain who terrorizes children for sport.
Luckily, Matilda soon discovers she possesses special powers that allow her to get some amusing revenge and take control of her destiny. Dahl’s unique combination of sharp wit, eccentric characters, and unusual storylines offers readers a fresh and delightful reading experience.
Shirley Jackson is an author known for her dark humor, eerie storytelling, and subtle exploration of unsettling situations and peculiar characters.
Readers who appreciate Edward Gorey’s quirky scenes and hidden menace may enjoy Jackson’s novel “We Have Always Lived in the Castle.”
The story is narrated by Merricat Blackwood, an odd and imaginative young woman who lives isolated with her sister Constance and eccentric Uncle Julian.
In their once-grand family home, the siblings face villagers’ rumors and hidden tensions surrounding a mysterious family tragedy. The novel reveals secrets quietly, showcasing the unusual personalities and everyday absurdity that can hide darker truths beneath.
Clive Barker is a master storyteller known for his imaginative and darkly fantastical creations. His book “The Thief of Always” combines strange, whimsical characters with eerie undertones that readers of Edward Gorey might appreciate.
The story follows Harvey Swick, a bored young boy tempted by a magical house called Mr. Hood’s Holiday House. There, every day contains all four seasons, and wishes seem to come true effortlessly.
But Harvey soon realizes there’s a sinister price for endless fun, and escaping Mr. Hood’s grip becomes more dangerous than he imagined. Barker weaves darker complexities beneath the surface charm, creating an unsettling yet enchanting atmosphere.
Daphne du Maurier evokes suspense and the eerie charm found in Edward Gorey’s works. Her book “Rebecca” introduces readers to Manderley, an isolated English mansion steeped in secrets.
The novel follows a shy young woman who marries the elusive widower Maxim de Winter, only to face the haunting presence of his deceased first wife Rebecca.
Atmospheric and unsettling, the story slowly uncovers jealousy, obsession, and hidden truths beneath the grand estate’s polished exterior. Du Maurier’s ability to build tension through detailed, moody descriptions and shadowy characters makes “Rebecca” linger in readers’ minds.
Readers who appreciate Edward Gorey’s dark humor and whimsical storytelling might also enjoy Lemony Snicket. Snicket, the pen name of author Daniel Handler, is best known for his series “A Series of Unfortunate Events.”
The first book, “The Bad Beginning,” introduces readers to the Baudelaire siblings, Violet, Klaus, and Sunny. After they suddenly become orphans due to a mysterious fire, they find themselves with a sinister guardian called Count Olaf.
With clever wordplay and an unusual narrative style similar to the quirks of Edward Gorey, Snicket sets the stage for the children’s struggle against Olaf’s never-ending schemes to seize their inherited fortune.
Snicket incorporates dark atmospheres and delightful absurdities, features readers of Gorey are certain to find captivating.
Readers who enjoy Edward Gorey’s dark humor and eerie atmospheres will likely appreciate Ray Bradbury, a writer known for blending fantasy, horror, and science fiction into memorable tales.
In his book “Something Wicked This Way Comes,” Bradbury paints a vivid story about two boys, Jim Nightshade and Will Halloway, who encounter a mysterious, sinister carnival in their sleepy hometown.
Themes of innocence, temptation, and hidden fears come alive through Bradbury’s poetic writing style, mood-building scenes, and captivating characters. Fans of Gorey’s unique blend of the mysterious and the macabresque will find Bradbury’s storytelling similarly fascinating.
Books by Franz Kafka often explore strange worlds with surreal situations and dark humor, ideal for readers who enjoy Edward Gorey’s eccentric style. Kafka’s novella, “The Metamorphosis,” captures this perfectly.
The story follows Gregor Samsa, a man who wakes up one morning to find himself transformed into a giant insect. Kafka skillfully blends the absurd, the horrific, and dark comedy.
Gregor must cope not only with his grotesque new form but with the reactions of his family, whose dark and increasingly cold behavior adds unsettling layers to the tale.
For readers drawn to Gorey’s odd, darkly humorous world, Kafka’s unique brand of strange storytelling offers an appealing experience.
Joseph Sheridan Le Fanu was an Irish author known for his atmospheric and eerie gothic stories. If you enjoy Edward Gorey’s dark humor and peculiar sense of the macabre, Le Fanu’s writing might strike a chord.
One of his most famous tales, “Carmilla,” tells the chilling story of a young woman haunted by strange dreams and an unsettling friendship with the mysterious and captivating Carmilla. The story unfolds slowly and thoughtfully, with shadows and secrets in every corner.
Readers drawn to Edward Gorey’s eccentric and mysterious style may find themselves fascinated by Le Fanu’s blend of suspense, subtle horror, and elegant prose.
Oscar Wilde was an iconic Irish writer known for his wit, satire, and sharp commentary on Victorian society. If you enjoy the darkly humorous illustrations and offbeat storytelling of Edward Gorey, Wilde’s style might pique your interest.
His novel “The Picture of Dorian Gray” explores vanity, morality, and corruption through the story of a young man, Dorian, who remains impossibly handsome and youthful.
However, hidden away in his attic lies a mysterious portrait, which reveals the true, often disturbing nature of his character.
Wilde’s elegant prose and dark satire echo themes found often in Gorey’s tales, making his writing exciting and accessible for readers looking for something subtly eerie yet deeply amusing.
Ambrose Bierce was an American author known for his dark humor and sharp wit, often exploring themes of irony and horror similar to Edward Gorey’s works.
His collection, “Tales of Soldiers and Civilians,” offers eerie tales set against the backdrop of the American Civil War and ordinary life.
One standout story, “An Occurrence at Owl Creek Bridge,” follows a Confederate sympathizer who encounters a mysterious twist of fate at the very brink of death.
Bierce blends grim realities and surreal moments within these narratives, capturing readers drawn to macabresque storytelling reminiscent of Gorey’s artistry.