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A review by saarahnina
The Black Cat by Edgar Allan Poe
5.0
Astonishing
What started as a bed time story for my young sister quickly became sinister. I selected this book because the title reminded me of a story I read as a child, I had assumed both stories were one and the same. And for a children's author, I didn't think Poe's stories could ever be described as horrific. I have a good opinion of this story, however, because it's intriguing and because it created a twist in what would have otherwise been a mundane evening.
A welcome twist, but disappointing for my younger sister- when the tale became, in my opinion 'too much in terms of too distressing and disturbing' I didn't go on. I read the rest myself, and I will probably feedback a short ending to my sister. After all, while the ending wasn't a happy one, justice certainly was served. I actually gasped, mostly because inwas on the verge of dramatically reading the tale- but it was because I gasped that I wasn't able to make a smooth transition for the huge turn in the tale. I couldn't think of a better gasp-worrhy twist, at least not in the short time allowed. Now though, I'd insert "I then, took the axe upon myself. I couldn't go on, and there I fell dead, without a groan, into an unsightly mess." Right, where jis wife interrupts his rage.
Though, I never did understand why suicide is considered more shameful, and therefore less appropriate to speak of to a child, in comparison to murder.
This tale wouldn't have been too great an issue had I not translated Edgar Allan Poe's words to simple, easily understood, language- for my ten year old sister. I translated each and every sentence. I dramatically read the tale, gasping at the right bits. My sister woukd have laughed had she not been shocked by the tale. Lucky for me, she did fall asleep soon after I abruptly closed the book and told her the tale may have been inappropriate. It's also quite a good thing that she wasn't listening when I read the book's title and author, she only knows the beginning of the tale when a cat is hung and the man attempts to murder the second one. It was there I stopped. I couldn't bear to read the rest. I felt it to be evil of me if I were to subject ideas of such an enormous criminal act and then to utter "sweet dreams".
I have just realised that whenever i read a bedtime story to my younger siblings, I almost always excite them to the point that they can't get to sleep. And, then they want another story, a sequel. They've never fallen asleep mid-way, as I expect (thanks to the movies). With my sublings though, there are always questions. Always. May their curiosity never cease. In this case it was understandable, as my sister was mostly asking the meanings of more complex words.
Anyway, I really do urge you to read the tale, it's only around fifteen pages. But it's a brutal tale, I would advise if you must read it to a child- you read it to a child no younger than 13. And if you really can't resist, then a ten year old. But, I'd encourage you to change the language- maybe omit the bluntly savage details? Oh, and don't use it as a bed time story, I'd advise against reading it at night altogether. Perhaps, I found the story too vicious for my liking, since I adore cats? Or perhaps, it has something to do with the fact I'm human. But, I am firm on my stance that even for someone who has thoroughly studied Psychology, this was a disturbing story. I guess Psychology doesn't make us all crazy.
What started as a bed time story for my young sister quickly became sinister. I selected this book because the title reminded me of a story I read as a child, I had assumed both stories were one and the same. And for a children's author, I didn't think Poe's stories could ever be described as horrific. I have a good opinion of this story, however, because it's intriguing and because it created a twist in what would have otherwise been a mundane evening.
A welcome twist, but disappointing for my younger sister- when the tale became, in my opinion 'too much in terms of too distressing and disturbing' I didn't go on. I read the rest myself, and I will probably feedback a short ending to my sister. After all, while the ending wasn't a happy one, justice certainly was served. I actually gasped, mostly because inwas on the verge of dramatically reading the tale- but it was because I gasped that I wasn't able to make a smooth transition for the huge turn in the tale. I couldn't think of a better gasp-worrhy twist, at least not in the short time allowed. Now though, I'd insert "I then, took the axe upon myself. I couldn't go on, and there I fell dead, without a groan, into an unsightly mess." Right, where jis wife interrupts his rage.
Though, I never did understand why suicide is considered more shameful, and therefore less appropriate to speak of to a child, in comparison to murder.
This tale wouldn't have been too great an issue had I not translated Edgar Allan Poe's words to simple, easily understood, language- for my ten year old sister. I translated each and every sentence. I dramatically read the tale, gasping at the right bits. My sister woukd have laughed had she not been shocked by the tale. Lucky for me, she did fall asleep soon after I abruptly closed the book and told her the tale may have been inappropriate. It's also quite a good thing that she wasn't listening when I read the book's title and author, she only knows the beginning of the tale when a cat is hung and the man attempts to murder the second one. It was there I stopped. I couldn't bear to read the rest. I felt it to be evil of me if I were to subject ideas of such an enormous criminal act and then to utter "sweet dreams".
I have just realised that whenever i read a bedtime story to my younger siblings, I almost always excite them to the point that they can't get to sleep. And, then they want another story, a sequel. They've never fallen asleep mid-way, as I expect (thanks to the movies). With my sublings though, there are always questions. Always. May their curiosity never cease. In this case it was understandable, as my sister was mostly asking the meanings of more complex words.
Anyway, I really do urge you to read the tale, it's only around fifteen pages. But it's a brutal tale, I would advise if you must read it to a child- you read it to a child no younger than 13. And if you really can't resist, then a ten year old. But, I'd encourage you to change the language- maybe omit the bluntly savage details? Oh, and don't use it as a bed time story, I'd advise against reading it at night altogether. Perhaps, I found the story too vicious for my liking, since I adore cats? Or perhaps, it has something to do with the fact I'm human. But, I am firm on my stance that even for someone who has thoroughly studied Psychology, this was a disturbing story. I guess Psychology doesn't make us all crazy.