Edgar Allan Poe (Canterbury Classics)

<p><p>Today, Edgar Allan Poe is best known for his rather macabre Gothic writings, but during his lifetime, he was a respected literary critic who, on the side, wrote brilliant short stories and poetry, and developed the modern detective/mystery genre. Countless authors &#151; and mystery fans &#151; owe Poe a great debt for his contributions to American literature. Canterbury Classics is proud to present the stories and collected works of Edgar Allan Poe in this handsome, leather-bound volume. Fans will discover some of his most famous works, including "The Murders in the Rue Morgue," "The Purloined Letter," "The Tell-Tale Heart," and "The Pit and the Pendulum," as well as some of his notable poems, including "The Raven" and "Lenore." These masterpieces get the royal treatment, and are printed on high quality ivory paper with gilded edges.<p></p><h3>School Library Journal</h3><p>Adult/High School-A collection of adaptations of 13 of Poe's poems and short stories. Many favorites are included, such as "The Tell-Tale Heart," "The Raven," and "The Fall of the House of Usher"; some less-well-known works also make an appearance. The short stories are usually either abridged or paraphrased; "Hop Frog" and "The Black Cat" stand as exceptions, presented in their entirety with a few smart illustrations occasionally breaking the text. While no adaptation will ever completely do justice to Poe's genius, his original words are handled carefully and with due respect. However, where this edition of Graphic Classics succeeds most brilliantly is in its renditions of Poe's poems, which remain untouched yet are sumptuously and often lavishly decorated. Of particular note is Rafael Nieves and Juan Gomez's "The Bells." From J. B. Bonivert's psychedelic interpretation of "The Raven" to John Coulthart's gothic plates in "The Haunted Palace," each retelling opens new and engaging perspectives into Poe's masterpieces. The potential that this book has to draw comics readers, reluctant or otherwise, into the world of classic literature is enough to make it a worthwhile purchase; the quality of the art and storytelling makes it a noteworthy addition to any collection.-J. M. Poole, East Rochester Public Library, NY Copyright 2004 Reed Business Information.</p>