SHOUTS AND MURMURS

THIS IN ONE IN A SERIES BY UPDIKE AND GOREY

I  came across this book just by accident while looking for some Halloween and Christmas stuff.  I thought the title

was very amusing.   This is one in a series of books written by John Updike and the drawings done by Edward Gorey.  (What a name for an illustrator).  I am going to give you short exerpts of  the TWELVE TERRORS OF CHRISTMAS.

1. 
   
   Santa:  The man.  Describes his loose-fitting beard, his alcoholic smell, and compares him to one of Steven King's clowns.
2. 
   
   Santa: The concept.  Questions why anyone would live at the North Pole.
3. 
   
   Santa's Helpers.  Asks why anyone would work in sweatshop conditions without getting something out of it.
4. 
   
   O Tannenbaum.  What happens if the tree  falls over?
5. 
   
   Tiny Reindeer.  The hooves cut through the shingles on the roof and their fur could be full of bugs.
6. 
   
   Electrocution.  Not only do you have to watch out for the lights, but also for all of the electronic games.
7. 
   
   The Carols.  They boom from public audio systems, yet our hearts are still heavy.
8. 
   
   The Specials.  Talks about the annoying television specials that invade the channels.
9. 
   
   Fear of Not Giving Enough.  Leads to dizziness in shopping malls.
10. 
    
    Fear of Not Receiving enough.   Leads to anxious scanning of U.P.S. deliveries.
11. 
    
    Fear of Returns.  The humiliation that comes with it all.
12. 
    
    The Dark.  How early it gets dark outside, and how creepy everyone looks as they walk by the lit-up windows of the department store. 

     It isn't a very long book, only 32 pages.  I have seen it priced anywhere  from a little less than $2.00 up to $10.00.  It's well worth it, even if it's just for the illustrations.  Take a look at the other books by Edward Gorey too and let me know what you think.