Edgar Allan Poe: Complete Tales and Poems (1982)

spooky season ( )

Man, these classic works always gives me the creeps but in a good way. There's nothing to compare to sitting down for a good read in the fall with a hot cup of java and a book of Edgar Allan Poe. Satisfaction guaranteed! ( )

This is a great Poe collection. I love the darkness and torment within Poe's soul. Brilliant. writing and artistic expression. ( )

My ABSOLUTE FAVORITE poet stary teller and writer. ( )

Before reading this book I only knew Poe by reputation, but was already halfway toward disliking him. Now, after 800+ pages, I am a convert.
The Castle Books version of his complete tales is cheap and nasty. The stories are not in chronological order, or in any other logical order that I could spot - which irritated me. There is a useful introduction - but it is an introduction to Poe, and not to this book, so it sheds little light on the volume. There were misprints that annoyed.
But even starting with a prejudice, and battling with a stupid editorial process, I found myself captivated by the stories and Poe. He bubbles with creativity, and he created genres that still thrive today. I loved his science-based tales - not all accurately founded by today's knowledge, but when you consider his era - roughly between Austen and Dickens, they are marvellously creative and fresh. Poe also does well in his "detective fiction".
The "gothic" tales were less successful for me - impressive as example of writing to a style, but not particularly enjoyable as a read.
The volume ends with the novel Narrative of A. Gordon Pym, which I was surprised to find as number 10 in the Guardian's 100 greatest novels. That wouldn't be my rating, but still interesting in an era well before others attempted such flights of fancy.
So, enjoyed the writing, annoyed by poor editing, and Poe rehabilitated from my unfounded prejudice.
Read - June/July 2016 ( )