-:- Poe Reading List by Katharena -:-

Edgar Allan Poe: Main Page | an Impressive Edgar Allan Poe Poetry Sampler | Thought Provoking Quotes by Poe | Poe's Sumptuous Beauty and Suggestiveness | Edgar Allan Poe : mysterious, dreamlike, and often macabre forces | Poe's Later Life and Mature Works | Edgar Allan Poe : Books and Reviews | Poe had an air of Objectivity and Spontaneity | Poe Admired Originality | Edgar Allan Poe Concerned with Terror and Sadness | Poe's Puzzle a Secret Nevermore | Katharena's Essential Poe, for the Morbidly Curious

Edgar Allan Poe Audio Collection CD

The reviewers for this audio box set of Edgar Allan Poe's most famous works of fiction are absolutely right. There is perfection in this product. The talented Vincent Price and Basil Rathborne lend their voices to the narration of the classic tales of horror and suspense. This is an antique. It is valuable and very reminiscent of the old World War II days of radio-plays sponsored by soap companies. This same style was responsible for the popularity of H.G. Well's "War of the Worlds". When Orson Welles narrated the story, his voice and the drama of the radio was so convincing, people actually believed flying saucers were invading American cities. The power of radio was very strong in the time before television media. At any rate, my point is that this same magnetism is felt in the drama that Vincent Price and Basil Rathborne provide to the original master of horror pre-Stephen King, Edgar Allan Poe.

Poe was responsible for creating the detective story, some would say the short story, American Gothic, macabre tales that gripped readers with haunting melancholia, dread and superstition. It was as if he took drugs and hallucinated and wrote down what he saw. Among his most famous tales, of which Vincent Price and Basil Rathborne perfectly read with powerful narration are "The Cask Of Amontillado", "The Fall of the House of Usher", "The Mask Of The Red Death," "The Pit and the Pendulum", "The Tell-Tale Heart" and the "Black Cat". It is unfortunate that they did'nt include selections from "Tales From The Rue Morgue". Among the poems that are read and made Poe quite a literati are "The Raven" and "Annabel Lee".

With all the well-constructed suspense and literary Gothic, poetic romanticism, the tales of Edgar Allan Poe are suddenly alive and fresh in the old radio style. This is truly a great gift for fans of Gothic storytelling, and most specifically, for fans of Edgar Allan Poe. Not only is a great gift, a great audio treasure, but a perfect compliment to homework. Your high-school age son or daughter will benefit immensely from hearing these classic short stories, narrated dramatically by these old "mystery" movie actors from the 50's, a more pleasurable, but nonetheless educational experience. --Reviewer: Rachel Garret from Beverly Hills, Ca

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Vincent Price and Basil Rathbone bring to life some of Edgar Allen Poe's classic stories in this marvelous CD collection. Rathbone's rendition of "The Raven" is especially noteworthy. As the poem builds to its startling climax, the actor perhaps best known as one of the first to portray Sherlock Holmes onscreen proves he can do more than enact the role of the great detective. His precise enuciation coupled with his abject terror at the sight of the raven sitting atop the "pallid bust of Pallas" will chill and thrill the listener. His readings of "The Masque of the Red Death" and "The Cask of Amontillado" are also very enjoyable (listen for the drunken voice of Fortunato in the latter, which is sure to bring a smile).

Price's readings, too, are a delight, as he brings to life "The Gold Bug" and - to me, the best selection - the tragic tale of "Ligeia". He has a way of making Poe's stories so personal that one can almost believe he is telling you about something which really did happen to him. Price becomes Poe's narrator so easily, so smoothly, that he gains the listener's sympathy instantly as he spins his terrifying tales.

One reviewer commented that the lack of background sound effects and music detracted from the collection. I beg to differ. Who needs distractions from these two sonorious voices as they wrap around you on a dark, chilly, rainy evening? If they were reading to you in front of the fire, there would be no background noises to distract your attention, and thus it is here. You get pure story-telling magic from two of the most acclaimed actors of the 20th century. The collection's audio quality is first-rate. No scratches, skips or other sounds to mar the excellent recording quality.

I purchased these CDs for long trips in my car and they've kept me good company for just that purpose. For fans of Poe, these readings will renew awareness of the author's literary genius. For those unfamiliar with his work, no two actors could provide better introductions to the original master of horror. --Reviewer: Laura G. Carter from Reidsville NC