12 Terrors of Christmas

by John Updike

Book Overview

Edward Gorey's off-kilter depictions of Yuletide mayhem and John Updike's wryly jaundiced text examine a dozen Christmas traditions with a decidedly wheezy ho-ho-ho. This long out-of-print classic is... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0764937103
• ISBN13: 9780764937101
• Release Date: May 2006
• Publisher: Pomegranate Communications
• Length: 32 Pages
• Weight: 0.25 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.3" x 4.1" x 6.3"

Customer Reviews

Bah Humbug!

This book is an utter delight! It had me laughing out loud! I am a HUGE fan of Edward Gorey and when I saw a brief review of this I knew I had to have it. It's perfect for any of us Grinchy or Scroogey types who have seen the absurdity of buying gifts for people who literally have everything (let's face it Christmas is for kids and that's what makes Christmas fun), so I recommend it for anyone who feels the whole Christmas thing is a bit forced.

When you tire of egg nog, fruit cake, and carols....

There comes a time in the "Holiday Season" when it all gets just a little cloying and maddening. Here's the antidote - "The Twelve Terrors of Christmas" - a delightfully clever and dark take on some of our most cherished traditions and unspoken fears. Kudos to Updike's witty and sightful prose and Gorey's perfectly rendered and suggestive drawings! A perfect stocking stuffer for those who need a break from the festivities (as well as curmudgeons everywhere).

Sampling our Holiday Delusions

The Twelve Terrors of Christmas--a delightful tongue-in-cheek revelation in 12 vignettes of the situations we mere mortals find ourselves while seeking the perfect, unblemished holiday--has quickly become a holiday classic. It may be anti expectations but never anti Christmas. Twelve cheers for a true winner.

Delicious like terrified plum pudding

A lovely volume of pure Gorey-esque mystique. If you are familiar with Mr. Gorey's fashion of examining the world, you will not be disappointed. If you have not tasted the decadent simplicity of evil delight that feeds the macabre monster, this, my friend, is your Christmas goose.

The Twelve Terrors of Christmas

This was a stocking stuffer that everyone in this all adult family loved. I have shown it to three neighbors who also thought it was great. How can you go wrong with John Updike and Edward Gorey?