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The Melancholy Death of Oyster Boy and other stories

By Burton Tim

(409)

| Paperback | 9780571224449

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Book Description

Occupying a similarly sinister and macabre world to the American artist Edward Gorey, Tim Burton's work is similarly difficult to place. This is a beautifully produced book filled with fine line drawings--many in colour--illustrating 23 small verse stories which all centre on a surreal deformity-Continue

Occupying a similarly sinister and macabre world to the American artist Edward Gorey, Tim Burton's work is similarly difficult to place. This is a beautifully produced book filled with fine line drawings--many in colour--illustrating 23 small verse stories which all centre on a surreal deformity--the eponymous Oyster Boy, Stain Boy, The Boy with Nails in his Eyes, Junk Girl, The Pin Cushion Queen...The tales are all quietly disturbing. As with Burton's cinematic work (Edward Scissorhands, Nightmare Before Christmas and Mars Attacks) the book seems aimed at children but the subtexts feel too disquieting. This however is where Burton's genius lies. Children are outcasts in the adult world and their own notion of what is important, grave, frightening and odd is different to ours. We each remember the child inside of us and so are each compelled to recognise the otherness within ourselves: the outcasts that Burton paints are somehow strangely well known to us. As dark and disturbing as the best fairy tales Burton shares a space with the Brothers Grimm--a place that all children know exists when the lights go out and the adults leave the room. --Mark Thwaite

21 Reviews

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  • 3 people find this helpful

    Sue.

    To avoid a lowsuit,
    we're just call her Sue
    (or "that girl who likes
    to sniff lots of glue").
    The reason i know
    that this is the case
    is when she blows her nose,
    kleenex sticks to her face.

    Lui è un altro genio, e i disegni sono bellissimi ♥.

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    ;cariatide said on Feb 2, 2011 | Add your feedback

  • 2 people find this helpful

    Tim Burton

    not only my fave director but also a talented artist, this book half way between a moderate horror and a kid book is simply amazing. Sad and deep. Such an amazing book to re read every year...

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    Kia said on Sep 12, 2007 | Add your feedback

  • 1 person find this helpful

    The beautiful poems of this movie genius explain why Tim Burton still have great ideas for his movies. If you like his movies, you MUST read this book!

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    Federico Tedeschi said on Jan 14, 2011 about the Hardcover edition | Add your feedback

  • As a huge Tim Burton's fan I can't be very objective about his work. I love his twisted fantasy... PERIOD.

    The only negative aspect about the book is that it is too short.

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    Andreiiillla said on Aug 1, 2010 | Add your feedback

  • oyster boy by Tim burton

    As many have said, the drawns of Tim Burton are always weid, but htere aresomething in them that also make you belong. The rhymes are ease to understand and the draws are fun.the only thing I didn't like from thhis book, is that is too short.

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    yukimai said on Jun 3, 2010 about the Hardcover edition | Add your feedback

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9780571224449 Paperback $14.47 -- The Book Depository
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