Chuck Addams, as he was known to friends, shares with us his joy in the wierdness present in daily life. His cartoons aren't violent, just pregnant with ideas that nudge along your own imagination. PoIsed to greet Christmas carollers by pouring boiling oil from the manse's roof, one cartoon prompts a chuckle from it's perverse perspective alone. You aren't drawn to ponder the ugly effect of an actual cascade of boiling oil on the people below. I like this innocennce in Addams' work. His characters are twisted, yet credible exaggerations of somewhat 'normal' wife, father, kids, and family monster in the attic. Many cartoons tease you, appearing straightforward until close examination finds the funny small detail that makes the whole scene a kick.
Among my favorites are the boy's report card detailing his teacher's warning that his anti-social behavior seems deliberately devious and malicious, prompting Morticia to proudly pat him on the head. Another shows the arrival of two animal carrier cages at the mansion, with Morticia exclaiming, "The children are back from camp, dear."
This book appreciates Addams's work, and made me laugh and think. That is a home run.