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thecolourblue's review
dark
mysterious
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? N/A
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? N/A
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Poe, Poe, Poe. There are some gems in here, but I’ve yet to be convinced into becoming a Poe fan.
My favourites are the macabre horror stories like The Tell-tale Heart and The Fall of the House of Usher - the first I think actually does a really good job with its themes of guilt and madness (favourites of Poe), and Usher I just have a soft spot for. I also like the trippy fuck-the-rich morality tale of the Masque of Red Death.
However, many of Poe's other stories don't really grip me and I'm not the biggest fan of his poetry. The Raven is a classic and all, but for me it's honestly the best of a meh bunch. I appreciate that he did some interesting things with rhyme and structure, but it doesn't do it for me. He also has a weird, borderline creepy way of writing about women. Which is not improved upon reading any details of his real-life personal relationships.
An extra star for Poe's historic contribution to the genres of gothic horror and mystery, but I think a lot stronger work has come out of those genres since him.
Also - just as a note on this specific collection; wtf would you put The Purloined Letter before Murders in the Rue Morgue and Marie Rogêt when those stories are chronologically written about the same character?
My favourites are the macabre horror stories like The Tell-tale Heart and The Fall of the House of Usher - the first I think actually does a really good job with its themes of guilt and madness (favourites of Poe), and Usher I just have a soft spot for. I also like the trippy fuck-the-rich morality tale of the Masque of Red Death.
However, many of Poe's other stories don't really grip me and I'm not the biggest fan of his poetry. The Raven is a classic and all, but for me it's honestly the best of a meh bunch. I appreciate that he did some interesting things with rhyme and structure, but it doesn't do it for me. He also has a weird, borderline creepy way of writing about women. Which is not improved upon reading any details of his real-life personal relationships.
An extra star for Poe's historic contribution to the genres of gothic horror and mystery, but I think a lot stronger work has come out of those genres since him.
Also - just as a note on this specific collection; wtf would you put The Purloined Letter before Murders in the Rue Morgue and Marie Rogêt when those stories are chronologically written about the same character?
emilyinherhead's review
3.5
I always love diving into the work of an alleged ancestor (even if he isn’t actually related to me). My main takeaway this time: wow, The Fall of the House of Usher is much shorter than I realized or remembered.
devincanread's review
3.0
Reeeeeally struggled through this one. Poe is obviously super influential and great, but I don't think I was in the right head space for this collection
rhiannatherad's review
slow-paced
1.0
The few that are good are very good, and the rest are all pretty boring.... Took me like 2 years to finally finish.
cayleigh's review
challenging
dark
mysterious
slow-paced
This book made me realize that I love romantic poetry but struggle with romantic literature. The short stories were good but it was hard to get through them. Definitely would be better approached from an academic lens than a casual lens.
devingarcia's review
3.0
Reeeeeally struggled through this one. Poe is obviously super influential and great, but I don't think I was in the right head space for this collection
amycampbell's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
jenniferbbookdragon's review
3.0
It is Poe-dark, creepy, but hopefully better understood reading as an adult than as a teen. There is a good section in the back with biographical information.
thisalissa's review
4.0
3.5/5
I’m not usually a short stories/poems kind of person but I love me some gothic prose
I’m not usually a short stories/poems kind of person but I love me some gothic prose
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