Legendary New Yorker
cartoonist and master of the macabre Addams has clawed his way back from the sepulcher with this odd fusion of posthumously unearthed and unpublished cartoons and a cookbook liberally seasoned with the distinctive flavor of Addams's signature gallows wit. Most of the cartoons on display here are clearly late period Addams and, to be fair, appear to have been rescued from his slush pile. Sketchy, incomplete and in some cases difficult to read, the unpublished cartoons are still worth a look since even mediocre Addams is better than no Addams at all. The recipes, on the other hand, are a truly bizarre assortment, featuring such epicurean delights as macaroni and oysters, dandelion beer, stewed pigeons, potted woodland squirrel, stuffed hearts, reindeer rice curry, the children's curative "influenza punch" and the intriguing "transparent pie." The more visceral ingredients have been thoughtfully supplied with conventionally acquired substitutes if preferred and could prove a fun challenge to the adventurous kitchen witch. Despite its shortcomings, this volume is a welcome addition to the bookshelf of any Addams fan and an eyebrow-raising sight when spotted among an assortment of cooking tomes. (Oct.)
