The Unstrung Harp; or, Mr. Earbrass Writes a Novel

For all the writers out there, this picture book is an exploration of the “unspeakable horror of the literary life.”

Edward Gorey, in his signature macabre manner, conveys the unconveyable as he takes us through this deceptively insightful story of an author’s journey from the first page, revisions, and finally publication…leaving us to wonder what exactly it is that draws us authors to the lonely aching, hallucinations, and general ennui of the writing life…but loving it all the way!

This was Edward Gorey’s first published book and has his signature pen and ink illustrations in all of their listless glory.… show more.

You're drawing, you're painting, you're doing whatever you do – you're making things that weren't there before. You're creating images, you're creating visual stories. Sometimes creation is a thrill, and sometimes it's a bizarre disorienting struggle. Nobody expresses the creative life quite like Mr.Earbrass (and Edward Gorey). Is it a how-to book? No. Is it a how-not-to book? It's not really that either. It's a story about an eccentric novelist crafting his latest book. I give this weird little storybook as a gift to artist and writer friends all the time. Everyone I've given it to just raves about it.