When Roderick Usher sends a letter begging his old school friend to visit him, it becomes apparent that he is suffering from a severe mental illness caused by an extreme overload of his senses. His sister too is very ill, suffering from cataleptic deathlike trances. When Roderick announces that his sister has died, and they place her coffin in the vaults of the House of Usher for two weeks prior to burial, neither of them can imagine the horror which is to follow. Poe at his most macabre.
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"Reading "the Raven" was freaky as hell and "the Telltale heart" gave me goosebumps. His writing is a little hard to follow as the characters in are so detailed that you kind of lose track of the story as you're trying to figure out the character's next move."
— Nelson-buddha (4 out of 5 stars)
" I love how he did "The raven." "
— Colleen, 2/18/2014" Its Edgar Allen Poe.. How can you go wrong? Horror, intense, mind bendingly amazing. "
— Kristina, 2/13/2014" I've spent many hours reading and memorizing Edgar Allan Poe. He is just too great in his macabreness. "
— Mommy, 2/13/2014" The best for mystery and suspense and creepiness "
— TG, 2/10/2014" I didn't make it all the way through the book but I love Poe's works and would someday like to read all of them. The Telltale Heart is by far my favorite! "
— Newby, 2/4/2014" Someone should buy this for me! :) "
— Alanah, 1/25/2014" Oh, I remember he years of my school study.. I loved Edgar Allan Poe, his stories frightened and amazed me but I enjoyed them. The Black Cat was one og my favourits. I still remember the sense of fear and mysteriousness while reading it. "
— Aleksandra, 1/24/2014" I love Edgar Allan Poe and all his short stories. This book has all of Poe's works roll into one single edition. It also has two tables of contents, one in chronological order and one in alphabetical order. "
— Mel, 1/19/2014" what can I say, he facinates me "
— Chloe, 12/24/2013" All the classic short stories. I've not read his novel yet, The Narrative of Arthur Gordon Pym of nantucket. "
— Scott, 12/24/2013" My favorite poet and writer as a child and still I read his stuff over and over! "
— Kristaline, 12/12/2013" I love the pit and the pendulum. Great story about a period of time toledo and gaining an insigh into the mind of a man who has been sentenced to death "
— Rebecca, 12/7/2013" I loved thsi book becuase Poe is my favorite poet ever.It has dark,scary,dn sad poems I love it. "
— Kira, 12/3/2013" this dude is creepy. like for real. "
— Shawna, 11/1/2013" How can you not enjoy his writing! Brilliant "
— Frank, 10/13/2013" I LOVE Edgar Allan Poe. I read the stories in this book every now and then and they are so good. "
— Nicole, 3/24/2013" ok sooooo. .... basically I love this crazy man. and btw 'the man who was used up' is tots the first robo-cop/supersoldier. jussoyaknow. ;) "
— Tree, 3/17/2013" I used to be transfixed by all of Poe's short stories. I'm not as passionate about them now but they are still as chilling as ever. They don't have the gore like most of the horror stories now but are every bit as scary. "
— Janice, 12/25/2012" I loved reading this but then I am a huge fan of Poe. "
— Lauren, 9/20/2012" Love it, Love it, Love it!! "
— Monica, 5/20/2012" It made my hair stand on end. Poe was a true master. "
— Julie, 1/29/2012" stern observing Raven, madness of dead beating heart, sagacious black cat, primitive perversity, "
— Don, 1/2/2012" I'll admit that I haven't read this mammoth from cover to cover. But what I have read, besides being taxing, is brilliant. And it goes without saying that it's also pretty fucked up. "
— Davelowusa, 7/24/2011" The master of the horror and mystery short story. I recommend pretty much everything he has written. "
— gbcjr, 7/3/2011" there is actually one story in here that has a happy ending. it's called "the great balloon hoax", and it's a silly little ditty. the guy is a genius. "
— Patient, 6/23/2011" One of the best short stories I've ever read. If you need something to question yourself and your actions this is it. It is truly meaningful and powerful book. My favorite story is Back Cat. "
— Barbara, 5/27/2011" Read just for the spooky fun of it, preferably by candle-light on a chilly, windy night in late fall. "
— Dan, 4/26/2011" I love Poe. I read this from the perspective that the only real, living, physical character was Roderick. "
— Laura, 4/15/2011" It was interesting, it was well written...but what was the point??? "
— Kristy, 4/12/2011" A-Ma-ZING! The house takes on the physical and emotional ailments of both it's living characters and those who are dead, keeping them suspended in a half-living state. Terrifying! "
— Brittany, 4/7/2011" Not one of his best, in my opinion. Maybe the language went over my head. It was pretty creepy, though. "
— Alicia, 3/31/2011" Edgar Allan Poe at his creepiest best! "
— Elizabeth, 12/14/2010" My first Poe! I've always shied away from the horror genre, but I really enjoyed this and will read more. I know that Poe was criticized for using prose that was "too poetic", but I love the way he uses language. "
— Emily, 10/12/2010" This was a depressing one. His descriptive abilities are amazing. "
— Susan, 10/11/2010" A good short story with very detailed descriptions which made me feel I was there in the mansion! "
— Matthew, 10/7/2010" Creepy but not scary enough for a Poe read. "
— Sana, 9/13/2010" Not to dote along a cliche, but it was simply thrilling detour: a bit purple perhaps, but enjoyable. "
— Jonfaith, 9/6/2010" I am amazed that this short story that only took half an hour to read was so chilling! Hair on my arms was standing up when Usher says Madeline was standing outside the door! "
— Tenijha, 8/4/2010Edgar Allan Poe (1809–1848) transformed the American literary landscape with his innovations in the short story genre and his haunting lyrical poetry, and he is credited with inventing American gothic horror and detective fiction. He was first published in 1827 and then began a career as a magazine writer and editor and a sharp literary critic. In 1845 the publication of his most famous poem, “The Raven,” brought him national fame.
Cathy Dobson is the author of Planet Germany and a narrator of audiobooks.