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camrobbins's review against another edition
challenging
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
martinaunti's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
apageinthestacks's review against another edition
4.0
In terms of actual enjoyability, I'd rate this 3/5 or so. Perhaps it's my love of Poe in general or simply the fact that these stories had so much influence on the literary world (Doyle admits to having been inspired by these stories to write Sherlock Holmes, for example), but I felt an extra star was needed.
Though, on the subject of Doyle, that was my main problem--he simply did it better. Holmes is often seeped with details that Holmes goes on and on about (which is often very enjoyable), but this was ten times more of that. Poe created it, sure, but Doyle perfected it. These stories just got bogged down in them sometimes, and it hurt the storytelling.
Though, on the subject of Doyle, that was my main problem--he simply did it better. Holmes is often seeped with details that Holmes goes on and on about (which is often very enjoyable), but this was ten times more of that. Poe created it, sure, but Doyle perfected it. These stories just got bogged down in them sometimes, and it hurt the storytelling.
justabookholic's review against another edition
3.0
3.5 stars
A fairly interesting read about the (fictional) detective that inspired Sir Arthur Conan Doyle to create Sherlock Holmes. This book consisted of 3 short stories: The Murders in the Rue Morgue (by far the best of the three in my opinion), The Mystery of Marie Rôget (the weakest of the trinity), and The Purloined Letter. Overall, I did enjoy the stories and found them to be interesting reads that made me laugh at times. Full disclosure; the first two are about some pretty gruesome murders but some of the situations written about are utterly ridiculous. Poe proved himself to be a decent mystery writer for a man who is known almost strictly for his horror stories and melancholy poetry. I also associate him with marrying his first cousin, but hey, that's just me. So gross– like the vivid imagery Poe uses for his crime scenes that is indicative to Poe's work. These stories have his characteristic detail of horrific and gory scenes, which I quite enjoyed... unlike the reaction I had when I learned Poe married his cousin.
A fairly interesting read about the (fictional) detective that inspired Sir Arthur Conan Doyle to create Sherlock Holmes. This book consisted of 3 short stories: The Murders in the Rue Morgue (by far the best of the three in my opinion), The Mystery of Marie Rôget (the weakest of the trinity), and The Purloined Letter. Overall, I did enjoy the stories and found them to be interesting reads that made me laugh at times. Full disclosure; the first two are about some pretty gruesome murders but some of the situations written about are utterly ridiculous. Poe proved himself to be a decent mystery writer for a man who is known almost strictly for his horror stories and melancholy poetry. I also associate him with marrying his first cousin, but hey, that's just me. So gross– like the vivid imagery Poe uses for his crime scenes that is indicative to Poe's work. These stories have his characteristic detail of horrific and gory scenes, which I quite enjoyed... unlike the reaction I had when I learned Poe married his cousin.
bean's review against another edition
2.0
letizia22's review against another edition
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
4.0
vinhotinto's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? N/A
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0