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raechel's review
dark
funny
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
This is a mix of fantastic classics and some.. not. Here's my review of each story:
The Sphinx - surprisingly funny, I loved the Lovecraftian "monster" and the horror and surprise of the narrator. ⭐⭐⭐
The Fall of the House of Usher - creepy and suspenseful, but I thought there would be more. ⭐⭐⭐⭐
The Oval Portrait - a little Dorian Grey-esque. Not so spooky. ⭐⭐
MS Found in a Bottle - hard to follow, but good Lovecraftian vibes. ⭐⭐⭐
A Descent into the Maelström - not scary. Power of nature I guess? ⭐⭐
The Tell-Tale Heart - a classic for a reason. Great pacing. ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
The Oblong Box - excellent creeps. ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
The Masque of the Red Death - amazing atmosphere. ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Hop-Frog - didn't know what to expect, very gruesome. ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Some Words With A Mummy - I was not expecting Poe to be goofy. The second half is better. ⭐⭐⭐
William Wilson - doubles are creepy. ⭐⭐⭐⭐
The Black Cat - excellent supernatural revenge. ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
The Pit and the Pendulum - boring. ⭐⭐
The Sphinx - surprisingly funny, I loved the Lovecraftian "monster" and the horror and surprise of the narrator. ⭐⭐⭐
The Fall of the House of Usher - creepy and suspenseful, but I thought there would be more. ⭐⭐⭐⭐
The Oval Portrait - a little Dorian Grey-esque. Not so spooky. ⭐⭐
MS Found in a Bottle - hard to follow, but good Lovecraftian vibes. ⭐⭐⭐
A Descent into the Maelström - not scary. Power of nature I guess? ⭐⭐
The Tell-Tale Heart - a classic for a reason. Great pacing. ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
The Oblong Box - excellent creeps. ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
The Masque of the Red Death - amazing atmosphere. ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Hop-Frog - didn't know what to expect, very gruesome. ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Some Words With A Mummy - I was not expecting Poe to be goofy. The second half is better. ⭐⭐⭐
William Wilson - doubles are creepy. ⭐⭐⭐⭐
The Black Cat - excellent supernatural revenge. ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
The Pit and the Pendulum - boring. ⭐⭐
nouranato's review
5.0
This was such a good reeeeeead, this is my first time reading for Edgar Allan Poe and ironically I borrowed this from my friend while I was reading Paranormal by Dr. Ahmed Khalid Tawfik who had in the story mentioned The name Poe, so when I realized what I had in my hand I was dazzled. The stories in this book was brilliant and well- written and actually easy to read because I can recall trying to read books of very old authors and it would make so annoyed because of how hard way of writing. I recommend you read this collection with the illustrations because they are so brilliant as well
From most favorite to least are:
1- The Cask of Amontillado
2- The Tell-Tale heart
3- The gold-Bug
4- The fall of House of Usher
I loved them all in general but this is how I’d love to order them, I can’t wait to find a new collection of stories for Edgar, man I wish someone would just send me a copy ☹️ But that’s alright we have to search for ourselves, also this was a beautiful used copy of my friend
From most favorite to least are:
1- The Cask of Amontillado
2- The Tell-Tale heart
3- The gold-Bug
4- The fall of House of Usher
I loved them all in general but this is how I’d love to order them, I can’t wait to find a new collection of stories for Edgar, man I wish someone would just send me a copy ☹️ But that’s alright we have to search for ourselves, also this was a beautiful used copy of my friend
laurawikoff's review
Im sorry mr poe. I really thought i would like these, but to me the stories were either predictable or anticlimactic, and i found the prose uninteresting. Might try listening as an audiobook another time, but i simply didnt enjoy reading it in print.
sammmm7's review
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
2.75
inkerly's review
5.0
I love this book! Rapturing, riveting, repulsing, gut-wrenching! There's no more to tell! it's facile and storytelling structure is well written and thoroughly summarized as four compiled stories around the basis of some of the most chilling gripping horror tales. The maestro of horror fiction has done it again! My favorite written story by Poe is the Gole-Bug tale. I finished this book in four days. I would definitely recommend this easy and fun read to close friends of mine. So, enjoy!
lunnashh's review
dark
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
2.0
Though I like the uniquenes of each story, I find most of them tedious and odd. The ones I like are "The Black Cat" and "Hop-Frog".
viveknshah's review
2.0
Hooter: Collection of Poe's macabre and gory short stories that make you Halloween ready
Part of Puffin's collection aimed at young adults, this is a great introduction to the world of Edgar Allan Poe. Reading his back story, you realise with how much ease he could spin this stuff up. His true life story is as macabre as his writings. Having said that, I found the language a mouthful to read and painful at times. Considering this is an abridged version of his writings to make it more palatable, I feel the reverse with the complex writing style being implemented that you lose the impact of the gripping terror that Poe wants to engulf you with. In some essence, the mystery and terror does reach out but doesn't really envelop you.
Part of Puffin's collection aimed at young adults, this is a great introduction to the world of Edgar Allan Poe. Reading his back story, you realise with how much ease he could spin this stuff up. His true life story is as macabre as his writings. Having said that, I found the language a mouthful to read and painful at times. Considering this is an abridged version of his writings to make it more palatable, I feel the reverse with the complex writing style being implemented that you lose the impact of the gripping terror that Poe wants to engulf you with. In some essence, the mystery and terror does reach out but doesn't really envelop you.