Melancholy Death of Oyster Boy and Other Stories, the - Tim Burton

~~~ Introduction ~~~ Tim Burton is renowned throughout the world. If his name doesn’t mean much to you, you’re probably still familiar with some of his work – movies such as ‘Beetlejuice’, ‘Batman’, ‘Edward Scissorhands’, ‘Nightmare Before Christmas’, ‘Mars Attacks!’ and the recent remake of ‘Charlie And The Chocolate Factory’, to name but a few. Best known as a director and writer for his unique, yet dark and brooding style of storytelling, Burton’s ‘The Melancholy Death Of Oyster Boy’ is a collection of his poems, which in many ways is reminiscent of some of his movies, (‘Beetlejuice’ and ‘Nightmare Before Christmas’ spring to mind). As well as the ...  Read the complete review

You might be wondering which is harder - condensing a 600pp book into a handy dooyoo-sized review, or writing with enough vigour, verve and value about a tome that takes fifteen minutes to read (and aloud at that). Well the following doesn't come easily, so that might sway your decision. The film-maker Tim Burton here offers a selection of exceedingly short tales, vignettes and crazy characters, published by Faber in a great little hardback, with what seem to be excellent reproductions of the creator's own illustrations. To wrap the pictures up, there's one per page on average, some black and white pen 'n' ink offerings, and some full gaudy colour ones that ...  Read the complete review

I was overjoyed when I found that Tim Burton had writeen and illustrated a book of short stories and poems. He is a man who I consider to be a living genius and I hoped his book would live up to the expectation I placed on it. Thankfully I was not disappointed as he has managed to incorporate his style of gothic humour into this (very) short book. Before I go into detail about the book I'll just give a little background on Tim Burton for anyone unaware of him. Burotn is a filmaker who has directed and/or produced many great movies. These include, Beetlejuice, Batman, Batman Returns, Sleepy Hollow, Edward Scissorhands, Corpse Bride, Charlie and the Chocolate ...  Read the complete review

Tim Burton is a widely renowned director, known for his gothic auteur style. His films often focus on outsider characters, those he regards as the weird and wonderful. "The Melancholy Death of Oyster Boy and Other Stories" follows in the same vein as Burton's filmwork. Essentially a collection of short stories and poems featuring a rather bizarre assortment of characters such as Oyster Boy, Match Girl, and Stain Boy. Each of these stories focus on their misfortunes, trials and tribulations the characters suffer in their everyday lives. Each story is accompanied with illustrations drawn by Tim Burton, and feature his trademark unique and ...  Read the complete review

In my opinion, Tim Burton is one the most talented film directors around at the moment. Whether you like his films or not he has an amazing vision and sets his films perfectly. More often than not they all play on themes on that slightly offend, disturb, upset or terrify us. Yet we all are able to sympathise with the characters taking the lead, and most of them, lets be honest, are near freaks. Batman, Edward Scissor Hands, Jack Skellington, Beetlejuice and now walking/talking apes etc. All loveable characters who are distasteful in one way or another. Every character in this book is abnormal in one way or another. Each of them is a freak in their own ...  Read the complete review