Book Description

The Edgar Allan Poe Collection (2020) compiles several iconic works of short fiction and poetry by an icon of American literature. Recognized as a foundational figure of nineteenth century fiction, Poe has inspired generations of readers and writers with his craftsmanship and taste for tragedy and terror. His brief but meteoric career shaped the trajectory of American literature forever, forming a legacy without which science fiction, horror, and detective writing would surely be shells of themselves. In “The Fall of the House of Usher,” a man receives a distressing letter from an old friend requesting his presence at his family estate. There, Roderick Usher and his twin sister Madeline are found suffering from an unknown illness, and the narrator struggles to comfort them as signs of paranormal activity lead him to believe that the house itself is a living entity. “The Masque of the Red Death” is a timely work of Gothic fiction set in the abbey of a powerful prince. As the world outside suffers from a deadly plague, the prince decides to hold a masquerade for his wealthy friends and fellow nobles, unwittingly bringing death to his own fortunate doorstep. In “The Murders in the Rue Morgue,” a French detective summons the powers of analytical reasoning to investigate the deaths of two young women. Included in this collection are some of Poe’s most iconic poems, including “A Dream Within a Dream,” “The Raven,” and “Ulalume,” all of which remain indelible classics of Romantic verse, masterpieces of mystery, beauty, and slow-burning fear. With a beautifully designed cover and professionally typeset manuscript, this edition of The Edgar Allan Poe Collection is a classic of American literature reimagined for modern readers.