rosekk's review against another edition
5.0
I did not love every poem, but for every one that I was ambivalent about, there was another that I loved, so it worked out rather well in the end.
anzuk's review against another edition
4.0
Ok, so I guess I'm taking a break from this. I managed to read half of it, and I guess I'll resume it in a year or so, when the mood returns. I can only say that I really liked what I've read so far. Poe is pretty fucked up in the head and I admire him for that.
b_niki's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? N/A
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? N/A
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
5.0
devilmann69's review against another edition
5.0
From the introduction written by Jay Parini:
"For Edgar Allan Poe, the art of poetry was ultimately about the contemplation of ideal beauty. Though obsessed with death, and with states of unreality and nightmare, he looked for moments of transcendence, believing that visionary insights were attainable only “in brief and indeterminate glimpses.” In his best poems, he creates a rhythmical language in which a melodious chiming on vowel sounds and consonants works to impress his lines deep in the reader’s memory, giving them the literary equivalent of eternal life. As T. S. Eliot once said, “Only after you find that a poem by Poe goes on throbbing in your head,” he wrote, “do you begin to suspect that perhaps you will never forget it.”"
"For Edgar Allan Poe, the art of poetry was ultimately about the contemplation of ideal beauty. Though obsessed with death, and with states of unreality and nightmare, he looked for moments of transcendence, believing that visionary insights were attainable only “in brief and indeterminate glimpses.” In his best poems, he creates a rhythmical language in which a melodious chiming on vowel sounds and consonants works to impress his lines deep in the reader’s memory, giving them the literary equivalent of eternal life. As T. S. Eliot once said, “Only after you find that a poem by Poe goes on throbbing in your head,” he wrote, “do you begin to suspect that perhaps you will never forget it.”"
i_and_my_annabel_lee's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
5.0
odettegray's review against another edition
5.0
"But our love it was stronger by far than the love
Of those who were older than we—
Of many far wiser than we—
And neither the angels in heaven above,
Nor the demons down under the sea,
Can ever dissever my soul from the soul
Of the beautiful ANNABELLEE.
For the moon never beams without bringing me dreams
Of the beautiful ANNABEL LEE;
And the stars never rise but I see the bright eyes
Of the beautiful ANNABEL LEE;
And so, all the night-tide, I lie down by the side
Of my darling, my darling, my life and my bride,
In her sepulchre there by the sea—
In her tomb by the side of the sea."
I don't think I'll ever read a poem quite so beautiful as Annabel lee
Of those who were older than we—
Of many far wiser than we—
And neither the angels in heaven above,
Nor the demons down under the sea,
Can ever dissever my soul from the soul
Of the beautiful ANNABELLEE.
For the moon never beams without bringing me dreams
Of the beautiful ANNABEL LEE;
And the stars never rise but I see the bright eyes
Of the beautiful ANNABEL LEE;
And so, all the night-tide, I lie down by the side
Of my darling, my darling, my life and my bride,
In her sepulchre there by the sea—
In her tomb by the side of the sea."
I don't think I'll ever read a poem quite so beautiful as Annabel lee
gracefool's review against another edition
4.0
Love quoting his poetry. I love reciting Annabel Lee, there's always just so much emotion and power I can express with his work! If you prefer rhyming, dramatic poetry like myself, then you will definitely enjoy this. Prefer more modest, free-verse poems, maybe it's not for you.
alliepeduto's review against another edition
4.0
I read the story “The Black Cat” because no Halloween is complete without a little Poe in the mix. I’ve actually not read this short story before (though I’ve read several, mostly in high school...”The Tell-Tale Heart” anyone?) so it was fun to check it out, especially today!
cindyhelene's review against another edition
5.0
I should probably give this 4 stars, as there were a few stories that I really didn't care for, but whatever, I'm a Poe fangirl, it's fine.
(Yes I know he married his 13 year old cousin, please don't remind me.)
(Yes I know he married his 13 year old cousin, please don't remind me.)