The Tell-Tale Heart: And Other Stories Hardcover – Illustrated, January 1, 2017

Ask any person to invent a horror story... even if that person is not used to read instinctively will try to set a tone with Poe's voice... so deep is Poe in our minds.I read Poe since kid, first in Spanish language, then when I decided to learn English an edition of his selected works by Penguin books and a dictionary was my master. Usually English writers in comparison to writers in other languages tend to be clean and direct; Poe, who was rich in many cultures and seems to have read books preferably in their original idiom and it shows: he has a unique style, not always easy but part of his special voice, he is not condescending with the reader so you have to grow to walk with him, because he has a vast culture.These tales are worldwide famous so it would unnecessary to explain the plots and stories, enough to say that Poe's world is so amazing that sometimes you would like it to be the real one; there is the temptation to not see the real Maelström to save the disappointing of being not like Poe's Maelström. They are complex and evolve to extraordinary conclusions, you can read them many times and still finding more details. I adore how U.S. is a place of marvels and the old world is an exotic place; usually in Spanish language (except the genial Borges) the writers feel that their culture is European and they are here like visitors, instead Poe feels closer because his voice and heart is in his land, there is not nostalgia of other places: he is a truly genius creating something new.Is interesting that apparently writers of his century thought little of him, those writers are being devoured by oblivion in archaic schools; instead Poe is so powerful, each little tale is so rich that pre-configures whole genres as science-fiction, horror, and detective stories as are known today; his essays materialize in music and architecture. Even more Poe is still present, as the voice that manifest our personal horrors is his.

`The Tell-Tale Heart and Other Stories` is a collection of Edgar Allan Poe short stories that showcases the talent of this great Gothic style narrator. The stories are a mix of horror, supernatural, science fiction, mystery, detective work that kept my interest alive as I was reading the book; from my point a view this edition is a well curated eclectic collection.I personally don't find the style of Edgar Allan Poe too macabre/morbid nor it causes me psychological terror (maybe because I have read more recent and more dark literature). But the stories still capture horror and supernatural, exploring the dark side of human nature. I find Edgar Allan Poe style of writing easy to read, enjoyable, even in the gloomiest tales; still, somehow this doesn't make the reading less powerful, the struggles and the psychological introspects of characters less complex.While I was familiar with Gothic dark writings such as `The Black Cat` and `The Raven`, I discovered with delight detective work stories such as `The murders in the Rue Morgue`.I read this book in Kindle format; the reading experience was good on smartphone and Kindle device alike.

You can't go wrong for the price. I got this collection of stories because it includes "The Black Cat" and I noticed it isn't in most that I've seen. Great quality and a good sized book. Great gift idea.

I am disappointed in that I had specifically sought The Gold Bug. I needed it for a reference. I have always enjoyed Poe' s ability to capture the reader's curiosity immediately and set the scene with rich details.

Beautiful book and illustrations. The only thing I didnt care for is that there were multiple stickers on the back that left marks when I peeled them off to give as gifts.

Multiple stories in one

I had to read this for a univerity class and I'm so glad I did. I read mostly contemporary literature and am afraid I've walked by many a dusty Poe on the library shelves. Shame on me. What a great writer. The Tell Tale Heart (And The Black Cat, etc.) will be with me for a long time. May they remind me of consequences and conscience. May I think before I act and may I be reminded that a mis-step will stay with me for the rest of my life.

Good

This is a review of the British Library Classics hardback edition of The Tell-Tale Heart and Other Tales. This is a very nice hardback volume containing a good sampling of some of Poe’s best short stories, including among others Tell Tale Heart, Fall of the House of Usher and Oval Portrait. The book is of a perfect size and weight. It has illustrations in it but there are not many and they are in black-and-white. Note that the “Look Inside” feature on Amazon for this book is incorrect. It is for a completely different book, which has colour illustrations and appears to only have a few stories.

Absolutely beautiful edition of this wonderful book. It's a perfect design if you're looking for a special gift for the gothic fan in your life, this is great.

Classic Poe, a brilliant author everyone should read. His writing is simply beautiful, his stories compelling yet strange. You will ponder these odd tales long after reading them!

Excellent!

Reading "Tales of Terror" was really very pleasant. A carefully written book in which the descriptions are "well calibrated" in fact, the reading is not burdened as often happens when the stories have too detailed descriptions. I really like Poe's style and first-person storytelling, which is present in most of his short stories.