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The Very Fine Clock by Muriel Spark – YA Books Central
About This Book:
Two stars team up—Muriel Spark and Edward Gorey—to bring the charming tale of Ticky the clock to life in this children’s classic.
Once there was a very fine clock named Ticky, who lived with Professor Horace John Morris and kept perfect time. Each night, at fourteen minutes past ten, his time was used to set the rest of the clocks in the house. When the professor’s friends suggest that Ticky be made a professor, too, he explains what really happens during the quiet hours of the day when the professor is out, when all the rooms have been cleaned and dusted, and the clocks talk to one another and tell the stories of their lives.
No artist is better suited to capture Ticky’s quiet stateliness and grace than Edward Gorey, who brings this tale masterfully to life through his characteristic pen and ink drawings. Full of wit, wisdom, and affairs of the heart, The Very Fine Clock is a very fine picture book.
*Review Contributed By Cherokee Crum, Staff Reviewer*
Whimsical and Quirky
The Very Fine Clock is a charming and eccentric little book that blends gentle storytelling with the unmistakable artistic style of Edward Gorey, who happens to be one of my favorite illustrators. His pen-and-ink drawings bring a wonderfully moody elegance to the story, giving even the simplest scenes a sense of quiet drama and old-world whimsy. The thick card-stock pages make the book feel sturdy and collectible, almost like a small art piece as much as a story.
Muriel Spark’s writing is whimsical and philosophical in that signature way of hers, turning a simple premise into something tender and thoughtful. There’s a soft emotional through-line about humility, belonging, and the relationships we value. The idea that “heart speaks to heart” really does shine through in Ticky’s connection to the other clocks in the professor’s home.
That said, the book may not land perfectly for every reader. The storytelling is brief and a bit abstract, which means younger kids might not fully grasp the emotional symbolism or the quiet humor. The pacing is slow and contemplative rather than adventurous, so it may feel underwhelming to those expecting a more traditional picture-book plot. And while I personally adore Gorey’s artwork, some readers may find his style a bit formal, muted, or even slightly somber compared to modern children’s illustrations.
Even with those caveats, I found The Very Fine Clock to be a lovely, unusual, and visually striking book. It’s more of a mood piece than a conventional story, but that’s part of its charm. For fans of Gorey and readers who appreciate picture books that are a little offbeat, quietly wise, and beautifully illustrated, this one is a treasure worth savoring.