Many of these stories lately have been humorous and I'm somewhat missing the dark tales. Being that it's almost that time of year again, where the spoMany of these stories lately have been humorous and I'm somewhat missing the dark tales. Being that it's almost that time of year again, where the spooks come out and ghosts run rampant, I love the season and was hoping for some more typical Poe. But, alas, til not to be so. Story after story lately has been funny. I appreciate these as well but I miss the reason I fell in love with Poe in the first place.
This story is about that one last tale that Scheherazade didn't tell, at least not in her lifetime, and the tales of Sinbad are a little far fetched. If you haven't read one of Poe's comedies, you should, as it really shows the diversity of his writing and this is no exception. But his horror is still my favorite....more
Yes, you can totally guess what's going to happen in this one, or at least a portion of it, but it doesn't diminish it's worth! A man goes to visit anYes, you can totally guess what's going to happen in this one, or at least a portion of it, but it doesn't diminish it's worth! A man goes to visit an insane asylum to observe its practices. A great story that made me laugh out loud. I wasn't as dimwitted as our narrator but there were a few things I didn't expect and loved. Poe does it again!...more
Subpar at best. Not one of my favorites and little on the short side. A man watches a beast coming down the hill as he sits at a window during the ChoSubpar at best. Not one of my favorites and little on the short side. A man watches a beast coming down the hill as he sits at a window during the Cholera epidemic. An ending you might or might not see coming. Still, it's a fun little addition to Poe's collected works....more
This one was funny. Is there such a thing as love at first sight? This man thinks so as he sits watching an opera and spies a beauty across the way. AThis one was funny. Is there such a thing as love at first sight? This man thinks so as he sits watching an opera and spies a beauty across the way. After orchestrating a meeting with this lovely, he realizes he must have her and hilariousness ensues. But wait - not everything is as it seems! Another fun read by Poe....more
Written like a debate between Socrates and Plato, it's philosophy at its best - or worst, depending on how you view excessive pondering on creation. IWritten like a debate between Socrates and Plato, it's philosophy at its best - or worst, depending on how you view excessive pondering on creation. It's basically saying creation happened only once by the creator (God) in the beginning and everything after that was a result of it or rather, events after. I wonder how much people read Poe during that time and if they viewed this as heretical or only theoretical. Not really my cup of tea, but still, it shows off Poe's diverse writing skill. Worth the read if you want to get a full picture of who Poe was....more
I should have seen this coming! I usually can guess the ending to these types of stories, but I have to admit, I didn't figure out the end until it waI should have seen this coming! I usually can guess the ending to these types of stories, but I have to admit, I didn't figure out the end until it was being explained to me. Great story, with just enough intrigue to keep you wondering and enough action to keep you on the edge of your seat. Another good one from Poe....more
A follow-up to Rue Morgue, Dupin is at it again. With long conjecture, extensive thought processes, and piecing apart the fundamentals of the case, heA follow-up to Rue Morgue, Dupin is at it again. With long conjecture, extensive thought processes, and piecing apart the fundamentals of the case, he takes apart each and every theory possible just from the little he knows, and even using the local news stories on what everyone think happens. Once again we see the brilliant mind behind Poe, and why so many characters, most of all Sherlock Holmes, were based off of this character. A great addition to Rue Morgue and I really can't tell you which I liked better. I almost wish Poe had written more Dupin stories, even though I first fell in love with him because of his horror. A captivating read and well worth the time. Highly recommended!...more
A funny little story about the conversation of inventions of the age and how over time they become bigger than the idea of people and their ability. WA funny little story about the conversation of inventions of the age and how over time they become bigger than the idea of people and their ability. Will technology outgrow us? I think it's funny how no one really seems to be about to tell our narrator about Mr. Smith, even though they all know him. A commentary of the age that can still be seen as relevant today....more
Finding himself the converse of ennui, a man sits at a window, watching the people on the street. A long description of the people of the city ensue, Finding himself the converse of ennui, a man sits at a window, watching the people on the street. A long description of the people of the city ensue, which I thoroughly enjoyed. I'm one of those people that never complained about Stephen King's descriptions, it's where the beauty in speech resides. So here, too, I found myself fascinated by the detail. Suddenly the man sees an old man with a facial expression he's never seen before. He rushes to get his coat and follows the man, and a wild chase develops. The old man never sees the man following him, but an interesting story arises.
I enjoyed this story, although again, not one of my favorites. I love Poe for his horror, and with Halloween and Autumn around the corner, I hope to read more of his darker works....more
It still amazes me how many different things Poe writes about, even though he's known for horror. This is the exact opposite of horror. Humor, satire,It still amazes me how many different things Poe writes about, even though he's known for horror. This is the exact opposite of horror. Humor, satire, really it's just downright silly. A slight on the chronicles of the day, a man talks of being a writer. Not one of my favorites, although if you like humor, it's really quite funny....more
Another beautiful story by Poe. Apparently written right before his death, this makes the story twice as creepy. Written as journal entries about a liAnother beautiful story by Poe. Apparently written right before his death, this makes the story twice as creepy. Written as journal entries about a lighthouse, this story was so short, I wondered if Poe had more planned before he died. Still worth the read, and an interesting one since this was his last....more
The island of the Fay is one of Poe's earlier works and is decidedly somewhat different that what you would normally expect from him. It almost read lThe island of the Fay is one of Poe's earlier works and is decidedly somewhat different that what you would normally expect from him. It almost read like a bedtime story, as if someone was trying to get a child to fall asleep to a tale of the magical. It was beautiful in description and meter, having a flow to it that wasn't quite poetry but almost mesmerizing in the reading of it. I have a particular affinity for faeries, and so this story, along with my love for Poe, holds a special place in my heart. The detail he went into describing the Fae and the island was fantastic. A great read and a mandatory addition to his collection....more
Oh Poe, you beautiful man! What a great work of art! This one is hard to describe. For lack of a better description, it's somewhat about doing wrong Oh Poe, you beautiful man! What a great work of art! This one is hard to describe. For lack of a better description, it's somewhat about doing wrong for wrong's sake. Poe takes a look into our psyche (not a pretty picture - especially his) using the "science" of phrenology, and attempts to analyze why we do the things we do. His writing style, is, as always, perfection - humorous and unique. From murder to procrastination, his way of looking at our actions as we go from realizing the desires to the fulfillment of our wishes, takes us on a journey of our own mind and allows us, for a moment, to wonder at our motivations. This is definitely one of my favorites of Poe's and will add it to my favorites list.
"But out of this our cloud upon the precipice's edge, there grows into palpability, a shape, far more terrible than any genius, or any demon of a tale, and yet it is but a thought, although a fearful one, and one which chills the very marrow of our bones with the fierceness of the delight of its horror."
How can anyone not appreciate the genius of the way this man writes?!?
This is the Poe I know and love! He actually wrote another short story about mesmerizing a man close to death, but this one was much better. Creepier,This is the Poe I know and love! He actually wrote another short story about mesmerizing a man close to death, but this one was much better. Creepier, and darker, you can just imagine the voice that sounds like a demon from Hell. Talk about nightmares. Another great short from Poe....more
Ahhh! So much French! Why couldn't it have been German? I can read German! Not so pretty sounding, I know. Sigh. Well, maybe it's time to take a beginAhhh! So much French! Why couldn't it have been German? I can read German! Not so pretty sounding, I know. Sigh. Well, maybe it's time to take a beginner's class in French to get through the rest of Poe. He really does seem to love injecting phrases from this language. In this case, it makes the whole story of the man talking to the devil just a little more eloquent. A man chokes and dies and ends up in the place of the devil which is quite beautiful. After looking at his sword collection, he decided he might have better luck playing cards with the devil. Reminiscent of every song and story where a man tries to best the devil and get out of hell, this story does the same, but of course, in humorous Poe-like fashion - with big words and lots of French. Enjoyable and amusing, although not one of my favorites of his....more
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