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A review by thevampiremars
The Tell-Tale Heart: Annotated by Edgar Allan Poe
dark
emotional
tense
medium-paced
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
I first read The Tell-Tale Heart in high school and it's stuck with me ever since. It's a classic of Gothic horror, and as such it's incredibly tense and highly emotional.
The premise itself is fairly simple, but Edgar Allan Poe's writing style – with emphatic language, frequent repetition, short sentences, and interjecting clauses – elevates this concept to something truly captivating. Perhaps the most fascinating aspect is that the killer tries so hard to prove their sanity and their skill, but makes no effort to pretend they are innocent.
This is a short story, and I really do mean short. It's easy to read in one sitting, and you'll be on the edge of your seat throughout.
A must-read.
The premise itself is fairly simple, but Edgar Allan Poe's writing style – with emphatic language, frequent repetition, short sentences, and interjecting clauses – elevates this concept to something truly captivating. Perhaps the most fascinating aspect is that the killer tries so hard to prove their sanity and their skill, but makes no effort to pretend they are innocent.
This is a short story, and I really do mean short. It's easy to read in one sitting, and you'll be on the edge of your seat throughout.
A must-read.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Mental illness, and Panic attacks/disorders
Minor: Gore
General creepiness/tension, hallucinations, murder