Man, does Hawthorne have a way with words! A man loses his "Faith" (wife - but is it really?) as he takes a walk in the woods with a man and his interMan, does Hawthorne have a way with words! A man loses his "Faith" (wife - but is it really?) as he takes a walk in the woods with a man and his interesting staff. Goodman Brown is a Puritan and encounters all sorts of interesting things in the woods that makes him reevaluate his life and piety. Sin comes in all sorts of shapes and sizes, and like Al Pacino said as his character the Devil in the movie Devil's Advocate as he laughed evilly, "Free will. It's like butterfly wings: once touched, they never get off the ground. No, I only set the stage. You pull your own strings." Brown realizes he's more fallible than he thought. A great little piece of writing and highly recommended....more
A chilling story of a man and a dog. The man goes to sleep on a mountain one afternoon and wakes up only to find everything he's ever known gone, inclA chilling story of a man and a dog. The man goes to sleep on a mountain one afternoon and wakes up only to find everything he's ever known gone, including the dog. Which was the saddest part. Why do these stories have to have dogs in them? Seriously. I love dogs. The man met people he didn't know, places that were new, and even almost got lynched when he gave praises to King George, since a whole revolution had happened while he slept. I didn't really care. I kept thinking about the poor dog who wandered back to town when his owner didn't wake up. Did anyone take care of him? Did anyone love him? What became of the dog?!?!????...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
"I am the Angel of the Odd," said a voice. "I thought angels had wings?" I asked. "My Gott! Vhat am I, a chicken?" the Angel of the Odd replied.
And so "I am the Angel of the Odd," said a voice. "I thought angels had wings?" I asked. "My Gott! Vhat am I, a chicken?" the Angel of the Odd replied.
And so goes many a conversation with the Angel of the Odd, an angel of sorts with a German accent who is very silly and causes many unbelievable things to happen to our narrator. This happens only after our narrator reads something implausible in the newspaper and prides himself on his superior intellect for recognizing the poppycock. However, our angel has many lessons to teach, the main one being that sometimes impossible things DO in fact happen, and can happen for no explainable reason.
I found this story hilarious and entertaining, and enjoyed it thoroughly. I found myself laughing out loud on several occasions and wished it was longer. Just another example of the versatility of Poe's writing....more
After reading this tale about a conversation between a demon and a man, I went to read a few reviews on GR to see what others thought of this and I haAfter reading this tale about a conversation between a demon and a man, I went to read a few reviews on GR to see what others thought of this and I had to laugh. Whether people liked it or hated it, there all seemed to be a general consensus that it was hard to understand. If we could always understand the point of our favorite dark authors (ie. Poe, King, Lovecraft, etc.) I think we'd all go a little mad. I think it's ok to sometimes not understand everything and take from it what you will. I feel the same about music. It's how we relate to it.
As for this story, I enjoyed it. The way the demon talked, how the man hid, and how the rock's message changed throughout the story, ending with silence could conceivably say a lot about my frame of thought when dealing with my most hated flaws, or even a commentary on life as we live it. At the very least, it will make for an interesting conversation topic and my next book club. I still very much enjoy the way Poe writes, and am happily working my way through his works....more
Another great short story by Poe. A group of friends lock themselves in a room, trying to save themselves from the plague that kills outside their dooAnother great short story by Poe. A group of friends lock themselves in a room, trying to save themselves from the plague that kills outside their door. As they drink and have fun and try to forget what is outside their door, they don't quite succeed, as a friend who has recently died is laid before them on the table. Then they hear a voice, and in true Poe fashion, terror seizes the heart of each of the friends as they try to figure out where the voice is coming from and whose it is. I loved this story and it is a fantastic tale to get you in the mood for Autumn and/or Halloween....more
Cute little story about Poe's feelings on Dualism and pompous jerks. Poe's interest in cryptography is also evident in this story as well as many otheCute little story about Poe's feelings on Dualism and pompous jerks. Poe's interest in cryptography is also evident in this story as well as many others. Even if the point or plot of this story doesn't interest you, Poe's writing style always gets me, and I enjoy it. Not my favorite of his short stories, but worth the read....more
A manuscript was found in a bottle, tell the tale of a man who had harrowing adventures on the ocean. In true pirate fashion, this tale keeps us at thA manuscript was found in a bottle, tell the tale of a man who had harrowing adventures on the ocean. In true pirate fashion, this tale keeps us at the edge of our seat with suspense as to what will happen to our sailor. Not as fun as his typical dark, gothic, tales of horror, but an exciting tale nonetheless, just in a different atmosphere....more
Another wonderfully, creepy, tale about a man who marries a woman named Morella. She is an intellectual and they spend their days discussing life and Another wonderfully, creepy, tale about a man who marries a woman named Morella. She is an intellectual and they spend their days discussing life and philosophy at great length. Morella ends up dying in childbirth but makes a promise to her husband that the child who lies within her will be a gift for him. As the girl grows in age, she has an uncanny resemblance to her mother. In true Poe fashion, you're not really sure where this story is going or how it will end until you get there. A great story and one that I feel should have been more popular. Highly recommended....more
Now THIS is the Poe I love. A rivalry between two families ends with a demonic horse taking the reins. (Pun intended) I've been reading quite a few ofNow THIS is the Poe I love. A rivalry between two families ends with a demonic horse taking the reins. (Pun intended) I've been reading quite a few of Poe's short stories and although his writing is good, these dark tales are what made me fall in love with him in the first place. Apparently this was the first one published under his name, and while it's no "Tell-tale Heart", it definitely has the dark, gothic, feel Poe is famous for. A fun read and a good addition to his collection, I highly recommend it....more
This one wasn't one of my favorites, but interesting nonetheless. A man who has asthma and is often mesmerized/hypnotized calls upon his mesmerist to This one wasn't one of my favorites, but interesting nonetheless. A man who has asthma and is often mesmerized/hypnotized calls upon his mesmerist to help him out again, but this time for a different reason. The man had never believed in a higher entity or this place called heaven where souls are supposed to go, but he feels like when he is mesmerized he is touching upon some unknown beliefs that are truths - an untapped part of the mind, perhaps that knows more about the truth of such things and wants to be interrogated when he's put under about such things. The mesmerist does as asked and finds some interesting thoughts about the life hereafter but when the man wakes up, the mesmerist finds a surprise.
Some of the ramblings were difficult to understand and I had to reread several parts over again. Other than that, it was true Poe fashion, beautiful writing with a not as horrific ending as we're used to with him....more
A man writes a letter to a friend full of what he deems as "gossip", telling him it's because of his friends sins that he has to endure this letter, aA man writes a letter to a friend full of what he deems as "gossip", telling him it's because of his friends sins that he has to endure this letter, and of course because of the letter writer's ennui. He goes on to write a very long letter. The setting is thousands of years in the future and the man is riding on some sort of futuristic hot air balloon of sorts, at least that's what I gathered from the description, but it seems as long as a cruise ship with many people on board. The gist of the story centers around this "gossip" the man speaks of. I don't really deem it gossip, as he's met a man obsessed with antiquities and proceeds to relate the historical stories he gets from this man about the civilizations (us and others) of the past. All information is wildly incorrect and I gather we're to have received a lesson on jumping to assumptions of people from our history. In any case, the stories are funny and crazy, especially the views on democracy and plagues, and it was an enjoyable read....more
Another humorous piece on one of Poe's greatest fear - being buried alive. A man raises his voice to his wife then loses his breath. He can only croakAnother humorous piece on one of Poe's greatest fear - being buried alive. A man raises his voice to his wife then loses his breath. He can only croak out a frog like sound and pretends he has a new interest in acting. He tries to run away before someone discovers his ailment. In doing so, he experiences many unfortunate events, one after another, that eventually lands him being buried in a tomb. However, surprising events ensue, and the ending lends a bit of a surprise that's quite unexpected. A funny story, and perhaps a commentary on the doctors of the time. Well worth the read if you're reading through Poe's complete works....more
Not anything like a horror, this humorous tale speaks of a man who is adored for his nose. He's given money to sit for portraits, invited to all the gNot anything like a horror, this humorous tale speaks of a man who is adored for his nose. He's given money to sit for portraits, invited to all the good parties, and even meets famous people, all because of his nose. His parents knew he'd be special because when he was a baby, the first thing he did was take both hands and grab his nose. A bit on the preposterous side with a few laugh out loud moments, this out-of-his-norm writing that Poe has done is still worth the read....more
This one was so interesting. If you're not reading creepy horror, you often instead get to see Poe's dry humor and forthcoming wit. Many don't get thiThis one was so interesting. If you're not reading creepy horror, you often instead get to see Poe's dry humor and forthcoming wit. Many don't get this piece, thinking it's just a silly writing about a woman who wants to be a writer. But like a few other reviewers on this site, I think there's more to this story. I think he likes to write the funny ones as a change once in a while, but I believe there's always a piece of himself in his writings, which makes them so good. I see the advice the man gives to the wannabe writer as mannerisms in the style of his own writings.
Besides that, the humor is so intellectual and often viewed as over the head of the reader, I think most people don't see that he's not necessarily trying to write over the head of the reader, but instead for the common man, showing him many different sides to the author. I believe, like many writers, Poe didn't necessarily wanted to be limited by the horror genre, instead showing he could be funny and have other facets to his works. Think about some other horror writers, Stephen King for example. He's considered one of the best horror writers of his time, but many people don't realize how many other things he wrote about. One of my favorites was Shawshank Redemption, a heart wrenching story about a man who was wrongly imprisoned.
I'm a big fan of Poe, and love to see the other techniques of literature he jumps into. I found this very funny, and even though I might not have gotten all the jokes (I don't presume to be one of the readers who didn't felt like it was over my head) I absolutely loved his style of writing on this one. I plan to read this one again and again. I wish I had a literary professor to discuss the whole thing with me. Highly recommended. ...more
A great story about a demented, little, dwarf who goes a little too far getting revenge for his friend, this sweet girl. The king and his advisors areA great story about a demented, little, dwarf who goes a little too far getting revenge for his friend, this sweet girl. The king and his advisors are cruel and demeaning, and don't really seem to care how they treat their subjects. Hop Frog, the dwarf jester, decides he's had enough of the king and wants to get even. He does it in superb Poe-like fashion and ends with him walking off into the sunset with the girl. A fun little horror, it doesn't disappoint....more
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