A review by viveknshah
Tales of Mystery and Terror by Edgar Allan Poe
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.