Well, this was different. I had never heard of most of these works by Edgar Allan Poe, and I can see why: these are tales that stray from Poe’s usual Well, this was different. I had never heard of most of these works by Edgar Allan Poe, and I can see why: these are tales that stray from Poe’s usual fare of horror and mystery. Here, he tries his hand at sci-fi and even comedy. And believe it or not, I did laugh out loud a little bit in places. This is a bit of a mixed bag: some of Poe’s classic poems are included alongside bizarre tales of adventure and even a silly satirical response to the legend of Scheherazade. As to the quality of some of these stories, that’s a bit tougher to judge. I listened to an audio recording, but I’m not sure that that is the best format for these tales. There is, for example, a great deal of dialogue and some long-winded explanations given by different characters. Parts of this collection felt a little tedious to me, but it’s possible—and, I suspect, likely—that these stories would flow better in a traditional print format. As to the content, one of the stories was so disturbing I couldn’t finish it, but most were interesting. I tend to like 19th-century sea tales, so that helped a bit, too. This would probably be interesting to people who like Poe, or who are interested in short fiction from this era....more
A highly enjoyable ghost story that's far more entertaining than scary. A jilted woman, a newlywed bachelor, and a young wife form the key players in A highly enjoyable ghost story that's far more entertaining than scary. A jilted woman, a newlywed bachelor, and a young wife form the key players in this drama. A terrific tale of promises broken, and of promises kept, even from beyond the grave....more
I greatly enjoyed this haunting tale about a mysterious schoolmaster and a boy with a fishing rod. Dark, atmospheric, memorable. I liked that there arI greatly enjoyed this haunting tale about a mysterious schoolmaster and a boy with a fishing rod. Dark, atmospheric, memorable. I liked that there are elements to the mystery that are decidedly human in origin, and the ghostly aspects are built on this solid foundation. A sad story, but quite satisfying....more
Atmospheric and compelling, this gripping tale begins slowly and builds gradually to its horrifying conclusion. Edith Wharton sure knows her craft, anAtmospheric and compelling, this gripping tale begins slowly and builds gradually to its horrifying conclusion. Edith Wharton sure knows her craft, and this melancholy little tale, full of dread and pathos, offers a memorable experience. Well worth the read....more
This was honestly probably just a 4-star read, but I'm giving it five because I enjoyed it so. A horrific depiction of a vampire, a gripping tale of hThis was honestly probably just a 4-star read, but I'm giving it five because I enjoyed it so. A horrific depiction of a vampire, a gripping tale of hunter and prey, and a disturbing tone, of course. This story reminded me a great deal of Bram Stoker's Dracula: both are told in diary format, both describe some men working together to hunt a vampire, and both treat of disturbing subject matter. This story lacks the characters' nuance that Stoker portrayed so well, but this short tale is also nowhere near as long. For what it is—a quick read about a vampire who wakes from death to prey on children—this story is excellent. Fans of Dracula will likely enjoy this shorter tale that follows in the same line. Recommended for fans of horror and vampire stories....more
An interesting read, and likely to be enjoyed by someone looking for an atmospheric ghostly tale. Not a lot happening here, and it isn't particularly An interesting read, and likely to be enjoyed by someone looking for an atmospheric ghostly tale. Not a lot happening here, and it isn't particularly ground-breaking, but it does offer a solid, entertaining tale. An enjoyable read....more
Ooh, oh, ack! This awful, horrifying, dreadful, wonderful ghost story is sure to delight and torment in equal measure. It's horrifying, but I couldn'tOoh, oh, ack! This awful, horrifying, dreadful, wonderful ghost story is sure to delight and torment in equal measure. It's horrifying, but I couldn't stop reading. I wanted to look away but could not. That's part of the story's power: it gripped me and wouldn't let go. I had to keep reading to the end, even though I knew that it would be gruesome, that there was no avoiding the tale's inexorable conclusion. I read it more than a fortnight ago, but I still remember it vividly, and even now, I can feel my skin crawl. Not gory—not at all—but chilling and unsettling. Perfect for horror readers....more
A wonderful nested story-within-a-story. A ship, foreign travels, and a stranger with a tale to tell: this quick read unfolds into a horrifying ghost A wonderful nested story-within-a-story. A ship, foreign travels, and a stranger with a tale to tell: this quick read unfolds into a horrifying ghost story and promises great entertainment. A treat for lovers of horror, of short fiction, and of Victorian drama....more
Eerie, compelling, unnatural. This is one of those Victorian stories that you can wrap yourself in like a warm blanket to enjoy the moody elements of Eerie, compelling, unnatural. This is one of those Victorian stories that you can wrap yourself in like a warm blanket to enjoy the moody elements of the tale. A phantasm, a wind, a mysterious whistle, and some unexplained events . . . this highly enjoyable short story is the perfect read for a dark, windy evening....more
A Victorian horror story about love and regret. It's distinctive and atmospheric, if a little predictable: not the world's greatest story but still weA Victorian horror story about love and regret. It's distinctive and atmospheric, if a little predictable: not the world's greatest story but still well worth reading. Recommended for fans of ghost stories and Victorian literature....more
Well, it's a little bit predictable, but that doesn't detract from this tale's enjoyment one bit. Gripping, sinister, and tragic, this memorable storyWell, it's a little bit predictable, but that doesn't detract from this tale's enjoyment one bit. Gripping, sinister, and tragic, this memorable story will stick with you long after the last page....more
I wasn't sure that I liked this at first, but it turned out to be an interesting and enjoyable tale. The protagonist wasn't especially likeable at theI wasn't sure that I liked this at first, but it turned out to be an interesting and enjoyable tale. The protagonist wasn't especially likeable at the start, but I was certainly rooting for him by the end. This ghostly tale mixes the supernatural with elements that are distinctly human. A haunted house, a missing will, and even a specter! Well worth the read....more
This was great! Religious jokes that were mostly lighthearted and occasionally thoughtful, but never offensive. The two authors seem to take their faiThis was great! Religious jokes that were mostly lighthearted and occasionally thoughtful, but never offensive. The two authors seem to take their faith very seriously, but not themselves. They approach this book with warmth and dignity, and they depict believers as honest, flawed, and eminently lovable. This made a great readaloud for my family. Delivers plenty of laughs....more
Creepy, disturbing, awful! Since I suppose that’s rather the point, I have to say that this little horror story is probably pretty good. A morally weaCreepy, disturbing, awful! Since I suppose that’s rather the point, I have to say that this little horror story is probably pretty good. A morally weak protagonist, a sensual mystery woman, a demonic bargain . . . this may not be my cup of tea, but many horror fans will find much to like here. The writing is solid, and the plot keeps driving forward to its ultimate conclusion....more
Interesting and creepy, a ghost story about dead child who endangers other children. This Victorian tale draws heavily on many tropes of the period, aInteresting and creepy, a ghost story about dead child who endangers other children. This Victorian tale draws heavily on many tropes of the period, and lovers of that era's literature will find much to enjoy here: a wealthy family, a bunch of servants, a dead child, a disturbed child, an austere father, a jealous sister, a haunted mansion, creepy organ music, and a lot of sentiment. And the whole thing is framed as a the remembrances, years later, that the titular nurse tells a child. Consequently, the whole story has a soothing, lets-all-gather-around-the-hearth-and-tell-tales kind of vibe. Not everyone's cup of tea, but very nicely done....more
Beautiful, atmospheric, and at times, poignant and utterly sad. Don't look here for gore or jump scares, but if you like subtlety in your creepiness, Beautiful, atmospheric, and at times, poignant and utterly sad. Don't look here for gore or jump scares, but if you like subtlety in your creepiness, you might enjoy this. I was completely taken aback at the tremendous quality of the story and the writing. It started small, kind of unsettling, and it grew into a powerful and ultimately satisfying ghostly tale. Five stars....more
I wanted to like this more than I did. I liked the narrow focus of time—just those two decades—but I felt the questions were very obscure. I feel likeI wanted to like this more than I did. I liked the narrow focus of time—just those two decades—but I felt the questions were very obscure. I feel like some of the more memorable elements of that time period were neglected in favor of other details that were maybe not as interesting. And a LOT of these questions were about sports and celebrities. It got to be a little tedious after a while. It might have done better to include a broader range of subjects, even within the framework of those two decades. Still, this was great fun.
3.5 stars, rounding up because what it DID do, it did well....more
Interesting collection of short stories, and very well-written. I don't usually like stories in which the protagonists are criminals, but this author Interesting collection of short stories, and very well-written. I don't usually like stories in which the protagonists are criminals, but this author did a good job of not taking the story too seriously. It felt part whimsy, part satire. An elderly lady is a serial killer. Whatever will happen next?...more
A fun, charming book that makes a great readaloud for families. This humor is perhaps not the most intellectual style in the world, but it is a terrifA fun, charming book that makes a great readaloud for families. This humor is perhaps not the most intellectual style in the world, but it is a terrific hoot! Good clean jokes for kids and kids-at-heart....more
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