The Gashlycrumb Tinies

Écrit et illustré par Edward Gorey, Houghton Mifflin

«A witty, disquieting journey through the alphabet.»

Plongeon mémorable de l'autre côté du miroir, où le noir domine et le blanc ne peut qu'être mortel. Edward Gorey, auteur et illustrateur singulier (un euphémisme!) du milieu du XXe siècle, propose un abécédaire délicieusement lugubre à l'intérieur duquel aucun espoir de survie n'est admis. Précurseur et sûrement une des inspirations du sombre style de Tim Burton, Gorey mise ici sur une narration fine et concise, à l'humour tranchant, et sur un univers visuel fascinant, monochrome, tout en détails hypnotisants et en évocations perverses. Un album décoiffant et étrangement exquis qui secoue les puces aux conventions. Coeurs sensibles s'abstenir...

Lili lui donne: ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

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As Always, Julia : The Letters of Julia Child and Avis Devoto

Par Julia Child et Avis Devoto, édité par Joan Reardon, Houghton Mifflin

«Julia is known around the world by her first name alone. But how much do we really know of the inner Julia Child? Through this riveting correspondence between Julia and Avis DeVoto, her "pen pal" and literary mentor, we hear Julia's deepest thoughts and feelings and witness the blossoming of a unique and lifelong friendship. We see, too, the turbulent creation of one of the most influential cookbooks ever written. Frank, bawdy, funny, exuberant, these astonishing letters show an America on the verge of political, social, and gastronomic transformation and two women deeply engaged in the making of that new world.»

À lire un jour...

Anastasia Again!

Par Lois Lowry, Houghton Mifflin Books, Anastasia Krupnik 2

«Upon learning that her family plans to move to the suburbs, Anastasia-that undaunted, precocious heroine of Anastasia Krupnik - declares, "As soon as I finish this chocolate pudding, I'm going to jump out the window." Eventually, with her parents and brother Sam, she hesitatingly goes to her new surroundings, bringing a mystery that she's been writing, "The Mystery of Saying Goodbye." But, as Anastasia soon learns, moving involves not only saying good-bye, but also meeting new friends-like crazy Gertrude Stein next door; Steve, an attractive tennis player down the block; and the people at the Senior Citizens' Drop-in Center.»

Intrigue bien ficelée... et ah! ces singuliers, merveilleux et délicieux personnages! On veut vraiment faire partie de cette famille!

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Anastasia Krupnik

Par Lois Lowry, Houghton Mifflin Books, Anastasia Krupnik 1

«Anastasia had a small pink wart on her left thumb. It had appeared shortly after her tenth birthday and was only one of the things that were important about that year. Some of those things were good. Like falling in love with Washburn Cummings, who had a fantastic way of walking. And really getting to know her grandmother, who was ninety-two and lived in a nursing home and could never remember her granddaughter's name. And some of the things were awful. Like being the only girl in the fourth grade with a name too long to fit across a tee-shirt without disappearing into her armpits.

And then there was the matter of an impending baby brother. There was no room for him, as Anastasia pointed out to her parents. And what's more, he was entirely unnecessary. So when they told Anastasia she could name the new baby when the time came, she wrote in the back of her green notebook the most terrible name she could think of. Anastasia was prepared.»

Personnage principal étonnante et drôle!... une famille où il semble faire bon vivre... malgré cela, Anastasia n'est pas aussi heureuse qu'elle le devrait... une histoire délicieuse au sujet des hauts et des bas de l'enfance... à travers les lunettes d'une fillette!

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Pour le lire en version française