Review by thesubmariner - In the Shadow of Edgar Allan Poe: Classic Tales of Horror, 1816-1914

A review by thesubmariner
In the Shadow of Edgar Allan Poe: Classic Tales of Horror, 1816-1914 by Bram Stoker, L.T. Meade, M.R. James, Robert W. Chambers, E.T.A. Hoffmann, Théophile Gautier, Charlotte Perkins Gilman, George MacDonald, F. Marion Crawford, Dick Donovan, Leslie S. Klinger, Ambrose Bierce, W.C. Morrow, Arthur Conan Doyle, Saki, Mary E. Wilkins Freeman, Hanns Heinz Ewers, Sarah Orne Jewett, Lafcadio Hearn, J. Sheridan Le Fanu, Kate Chopin

adventurous dark informative inspiring mysterious reflective slow-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

5.0

I love this type of collection because this is a unique opportunity to learn about other authors in this case of the horror genre. Some of them I heard of and read already, but with most it was by introduction to their work. The introduction is a key word here because if you like a story from this collection then you should search for more work from that author. Overall, this was an enjoyable journey. However, I must point out that some of these stories are products of their time and some haven't aged that great, but some are absolutely timeless. I will probably review each story individually, but I want to reread them and to wait for some time to pass. Mainly because for some you need to be in a special mood to get in too. I feel I gave a lower star rating to some maybe because of it. Nonetheless I saw the value in each story and once again I'm grateful that I found more authors to read.

1. The Sandman - novelette by E. T. A. Hoffmann (1816) 5*

2. The Mummy's Foot - short story by Théophile Gautier (1840) 5*

3. An Account of Some Strange Disturbances in Aungier Street - novelette by Joseph Sheridan Le Fanu (1853) 3*

4. The Upper Berth - novelette by F. Marion Crawford (1885) 4*

5. His Unconquerable Enemy - short story by W. C. Morrow ([1889] variant of The Rajah's Nemesis) 5*

6. In Dark New England Days - short story by Sarah Orne Jewett (1890) 3*

7. The Yellow Wallpaper - short story by Charlotte Perkins Gilman (1892) 5*

8. Désirée's Baby - short story by Kate Chopin (1893) 5*

9. The Yellow Sign - novelette by Robert W. Chambers (1895) 5*

10. A Tragedy of Bones - short fiction by George MacDonald (1895) 4*

11. A Night of Horror - short story by Dick Donovan (1899) 4*

12. The Corpse-Rider - short story by Lafcadio Hearn (1900) 4-5*

13. The Leather Funnel - short story by Arthur Conan Doyle (1902) 5*

14. The Shadows on the Wall - short story by Mary E. Wilkins Freeman (1903) 4*

15. Lost Hearts - short story by M. R. James (1895) 5*

16. The Moonlit Road - short story by Ambrose Bierce (1907) 5*

17. The Spider - novelette by Hanns Heinz Ewers (1908) 4-5*

18. The Woman with the Hood - short story by L. T. Meade (1908) 3-4*

19. The Easter Egg - short story by Saki (1911) 5*

20. The Squaw - short story by Bram Stoker (1893) 4-5*