*Great-Uncle Franz, beside the lake, *

*Great-Uncle Franz, beside the lake, *

*Is being strangled by a snake. *

***The peaches, apples, plums, and pears

Are guarded by ferocious bears.** *

***Alexa watches while her aunt

Is pulled feet first inside a plant.** *A happy, naive family enters the Evil Garden (free admission!) to spend a sunny afternoon in its inviting landscape, lush with exotic trees and flowers. They soon realize their mistake, as harrowing sounds and evidence of foul play emerge. When humongous hairy bugs, famished carnivorous plants, ferocious fruit-guarding bears, and a sinister strangling snake take charge, the family's ominous feelings turn to full-on panic—but where's the exit?

Edward Gorey leads us through this nefarious garden with a light step. His unmistakable drawings paired with engaging couplets produce giggles, not gasps. Perhaps* The Evil Garden * is a morality tale; perhaps it's simply an enigmatic entertainment. Whatever the interpretation, it's a prime example of the iconic storytelling genius that is Edward Gorey.