Old Possum's Book of Practical Cats

New York: Harcourt, Brace & Co, 1982. Reprint edition, with new illustrations. Hardcover. Very good/Very good. Edward Gorey. The format is approximately 5.5 inches by 8.25 inches. [6], 56 pages. DJ has minor edge wear and soiling. Jacket designed by Edward Gorey who also provided the illustrations. Thomas Stearns Eliot OM (26 September 1888 - 4 January 1965) was an American-British poet, essayist, publisher, playwright, literary critic and editor. He is considered to be one of the 20th century's greatest poets, as well as a central figure in English-language Modernist poetry. His trials in language, writing style, and verse structure reinvigorated English poetry. He is also noted for his critical essays, which often reevaluated long-held cultural beliefs. He moved to England in 1914 at the age of 25. He became a British subject in 1927 at the age of 39. Eliot first attracted widespread attention for his poem "The Love Song of J. Alfred Prufrock" from 1914 to 1915, which, at the time of its publication, was considered outlandish. It was followed by The Waste Land (1922), "The Hollow Men" (1925), "Ash Wednesday" (1930), and Four Quartets (1943). He was also known for seven plays, particularly Murder in the Cathedral (1935) and The Cocktail Party (1949). He was awarded the 1948 Nobel Prize in Literature, "for his outstanding, pioneer contribution to present-day poetry". Edward St. John Gorey (February 22, 1925 - April 15, 2000) was an American writer, Tony Award-winning costume designer, and artist, noted for his own illustrated books as well as cover art and illustration for books by other writers. His characteristic pen-and-ink drawings often depict vaguely unsettling narrative scenes in Victorian and Edwardian settings. The inspiration for Andrew Lloyd Webber's iconic musical CATS, and its upcoming movie adaptation, directed by Tom Hooper and starring Taylor Swift (Bombalurina), Idris Elba (Macavity the Mystery Cat), Dame Judi Dench (Old Deuteronomy), Ian McKellen (Gus the Theatre Cat), James Corden (Bustopher Jones), Jennifer Hudson (Grizabella), Jason Derulo (Rum Tum Tugger), and Rebel Wilson (Jennyanydots). These lovable cat poems were written by T. S. Eliot for his godchildren and continue to delight children and grown-ups. Eliot's beloved cat poems are a curious and artful homage to felines young and old, merry and fierce, small and unmistakably round, and Edward Gorey's graphic interpretations are sure to charm.