One of my favorites in terms of art. ( )

My first Edward Gorey book that I enjoyed. An unusual guest had entered the manor and it does unusual things while staying with the family. It peers up flues, it walks when it sleeps, and it never talks but stares. Will the family ever get rid of this nuisance. ( )

An unusual guest arrives out of the blue, does strange things, is accepted by the family and is still there 17 years later. Hmmmmm. Could the author be likening this creature to new additions to families everywhere, having children? Perhaps, perhaps not. Maybe it is just meant to be what it is: a cute poem with darling illustrations. Anyway, it is quite entertaining. ( )

A mysterious creature appears clad in a scarf and sneakers to a Victorian house, where it engages in shenanigans and poor manners, much to the dismay of the family living there.

No one does creepy-funny quite like Edward Gorey, and The Doubtful Guest is a glorious, adorable example of that. ( )

What to make of this book? It took about one minute to read and had little to say for itself. As usual with Gorey, his illustrations are interesting, but what's the point? As usual with me, when I first read a Gorey, I don't get it - why did I keep buying his books? If past experience is anything to go by, I'll return to this book and it'll start to find its place, and I mine with it. For now, a doubtful 3/5, which will likely improve with age.

A doubtful guest, indeed.

UPDATE: Let's try this again after a second read a s some reflection! Forgetting what I think Gorey is trying to say unlocks what I feel. The Doubtful Guest feels like
Anxiety
Depression
Isolation
It's a guest, so do I invite those things into my life? Maybe, but it's doubtful. I can scream at it to leave, and it ignores me. I sleep, but it gives me no peace. It spoils the things I enjoy, drowns the things I love. Year after year, it shows no sign of going away. What kind of guest is this? 4/5 ( )