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The Pit and the Pendulum and Other Tales
Since their first publication in the 1830s and 1840s, Edgar Allan Poe's extraordinary Gothic tales have established themselves as classics of horror fiction and have also created many of the conventions which still dominate the genre of detective fiction.
As well as being highly enjoyable, Poe's tales are works of very real intellectual exploration. Abandoning the criteria of characterization and plotting in favor of blurred boundaries between self and other, will and morality, identity and memory, Poe uses the Gothic to question the integrity of human existence. Indeed, Poe is less interested in solving puzzles or in moral retribution than in exposing the misconceptions that make things seem "mysterious" in the first place. Attentive to the historical and political dimensions of these very American tales, this critical edition selects twenty-four tales and places the most popular -- "The Pit and the Pendulum," "The Fall of the House of Usher," "The Masque of the Red Death," "The Murders in the Rue Morgue," and "The Purloined Letter" -- alongside less well-known travel narratives, metaphysical essays, and political satires.
As well as being highly enjoyable, Poe's tales are works of very real intellectual exploration. Abandoning the criteria of characterization and plotting in favor of blurred boundaries between self and other, will and morality, identity and memory, Poe uses the Gothic to question the integrity of human existence. Indeed, Poe is less interested in solving puzzles or in moral retribution than in exposing the misconceptions that make things seem "mysterious" in the first place. Attentive to the historical and political dimensions of these very American tales, this critical edition selects twenty-four tales and places the most popular -- "The Pit and the Pendulum," "The Fall of the House of Usher," "The Masque of the Red Death," "The Murders in the Rue Morgue," and "The Purloined Letter" -- alongside less well-known travel narratives, metaphysical essays, and political satires.
368 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 1845
148 people are currently reading
1023 people want to read
About the author
Edgar Allan Poe
9,868 books28.6k followersThe name Poe brings to mind images of murderers and madmen, premature burials, and mysterious women who return from the dead. His works have been in print since 1827 and include such literary classics as The Tell-Tale Heart, The Raven, and The Fall of the House of Usher. This versatile writer’s oeuvre includes short stories, poetry, a novel, a textbook, a book of scientific theory, and hundreds of essays and book reviews. He is widely acknowledged as the inventor of the modern detective story and an innovator in the science fiction genre, but he made his living as America’s first great literary critic and theoretician. Poe’s reputation today rests primarily on his tales of terror as well as on his haunting lyric poetry.
Just as the bizarre characters in Poe’s stories have captured the public imagination so too has Poe himself. He is seen as a morbid, mysterious figure lurking in the shadows of moonlit cemeteries or crumbling castles. This is the Poe of legend. But much of what we know about Poe is wrong, the product of a biography written by one of his enemies in an attempt to defame the author’s name.
The real Poe was born to traveling actors in Boston on January 19, 1809. Edgar was the second of three children. His other brother William Henry Leonard Poe would also become a poet before his early death, and Poe’s sister Rosalie Poe would grow up to teach penmanship at a Richmond girls’ school. Within three years of Poe’s birth both of his parents had died, and he was taken in by the wealthy tobacco merchant John Allan and his wife Frances Valentine Allan in Richmond, Virginia while Poe’s siblings went to live with other families. Mr. Allan would rear Poe to be a businessman and a Virginia gentleman, but Poe had dreams of being a writer in emulation of his childhood hero the British poet Lord Byron. Early poetic verses found written in a young Poe’s handwriting on the backs of Allan’s ledger sheets reveal how little interest Poe had in the tobacco business.
For more information, please see http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Edgar_al...
Just as the bizarre characters in Poe’s stories have captured the public imagination so too has Poe himself. He is seen as a morbid, mysterious figure lurking in the shadows of moonlit cemeteries or crumbling castles. This is the Poe of legend. But much of what we know about Poe is wrong, the product of a biography written by one of his enemies in an attempt to defame the author’s name.
The real Poe was born to traveling actors in Boston on January 19, 1809. Edgar was the second of three children. His other brother William Henry Leonard Poe would also become a poet before his early death, and Poe’s sister Rosalie Poe would grow up to teach penmanship at a Richmond girls’ school. Within three years of Poe’s birth both of his parents had died, and he was taken in by the wealthy tobacco merchant John Allan and his wife Frances Valentine Allan in Richmond, Virginia while Poe’s siblings went to live with other families. Mr. Allan would rear Poe to be a businessman and a Virginia gentleman, but Poe had dreams of being a writer in emulation of his childhood hero the British poet Lord Byron. Early poetic verses found written in a young Poe’s handwriting on the backs of Allan’s ledger sheets reveal how little interest Poe had in the tobacco business.
For more information, please see http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Edgar_al...
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 112 reviews
December 4, 2020
Noia mi sono addormentata più volte leggendo.Grossa delusione.Non ho trovato nulla che mi abbia destato interesse.
December 29, 2015
Napostá klasika a záruka kvality.
July 18, 2017
Ottima raccolta che ci fa immergere nelle pozze più profonde e stagnanti dell'animo umano. La crudeltà e il senso di colpa sono temi portanti, ma non a scopo didattico. Non c'è, infatti, neanche la parvenza di moralità in ogni racconto, nessuna giustificazione. La cattiveria umana è del tutto gratuita e immotivata...ed è proprio questa la parte più agghiacciante!
Non do 5/5 perché non tutti i racconti sono dello stesso livello.
Non do 5/5 perché non tutti i racconti sono dello stesso livello.
November 13, 2023
byla to povinna cetba, moc depresivni na muj vkus, ale jestli dostanu jednicku, tak mozna trochu pridam
October 15, 2017
Úplně jsem zapomněla, že jsem tuhle knížku taky už dočetla! Bylo to zrovna v době, kdy jsem jaksi GR nemohla rozchodit, tak tedy zpětně...
Líbilo se mi to. Autorův styl psaní se mi moc líbil, některé povídky mi opravdu přirostly k srdci - anebo se mi pěkně vryly pod kůži. Přečetla jsem to tuším za dvě bouřky (ano, dvě bouřky D: Přesný odhad času dát nemůžu) a byla to taková příjemná jednohubka.
Nemůžu říct, že bych byla nějak paf - ale rozhodně nelituju přečtení. Časem si určitě plánuju dát re-reading, některé ty povídky neměly absolutně chybu. Kdybych mohla, dala bych tři a půl hvězdičky - čtyři si úplně netroufám dávat. Atmosféra opravdu výborná, postavy moc zajímavé.
Líbilo se mi to. Autorův styl psaní se mi moc líbil, některé povídky mi opravdu přirostly k srdci - anebo se mi pěkně vryly pod kůži. Přečetla jsem to tuším za dvě bouřky (ano, dvě bouřky D: Přesný odhad času dát nemůžu) a byla to taková příjemná jednohubka.
Nemůžu říct, že bych byla nějak paf - ale rozhodně nelituju přečtení. Časem si určitě plánuju dát re-reading, některé ty povídky neměly absolutně chybu. Kdybych mohla, dala bych tři a půl hvězdičky - čtyři si úplně netroufám dávat. Atmosféra opravdu výborná, postavy moc zajímavé.
June 23, 2021
A nameless protagonist finds himself to be the victim of the Spanish Inquisition's advanced execution methods. Strapped to a table with no way out. Trapped alone in the complete darkness of a gloomy pit. A pendulum swings slowly and methodically from the ceiling, falling closer and closer toward his exposed chest. In the darkness of despair and hopelessness, the narrator must devise a cunning plan to free himself from his binds and make an escape against impossible odds.
Honestly, I don't care for The Pit and the Pendulum as a story, but I do appreciate the historical accuracy of just how craftily demented the Inquisition was. The horror in the tale comes solely from real history. What took me out of the tale is the fact that it's told as one giant monologue with no dialogue, character interactions and prose purple to the point of making my eyelids heavy. While the situation is indeed scary, the level of disconnect made me lost interest in what was going on.
While I don't care for the main story in this collection, it features some of my favorites from Poe such as Tell-Tale Heart, The Black Cat, The Cask of Amontillado and The Masque of the Red Death.
Honestly, I don't care for The Pit and the Pendulum as a story, but I do appreciate the historical accuracy of just how craftily demented the Inquisition was. The horror in the tale comes solely from real history. What took me out of the tale is the fact that it's told as one giant monologue with no dialogue, character interactions and prose purple to the point of making my eyelids heavy. While the situation is indeed scary, the level of disconnect made me lost interest in what was going on.
While I don't care for the main story in this collection, it features some of my favorites from Poe such as Tell-Tale Heart, The Black Cat, The Cask of Amontillado and The Masque of the Red Death.
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August 31, 2025četla jsem jen jámu a kyvadlo a nebylo to vůbec špatné, krátké a poutavé. a rozhodně lepší než havran.
February 25, 2011
I don’t often listen to audiobooks – I hate abridged content with a vengeance and I find that narrators want to showcase themselves and not the story. Not so with this audiobook.
And Poe – goodness, that’s hallowed ground. Poe is one of my favourite authors and, over one hundred and fifty years after his death, his style of writing can easily come across as hammy and pseudo-gothic in the wrong hands.
Add to that the choice of narrator – David Soul? Surely he’s a bit, well, lightweight?
My misgivings were entirely misplaced. Soul is the perfect narrator. I’m going to go out on a limb, too. If, like me, you were entranced by James Mason’s rendition of The Tell-Tale Heart, there’s a real worry that nothing will come close. But not only does Soul come close, in my book he entirely surpasses Mason. Soul’s voice may not be as distinctive as Mason’s but the reading is all the better for it – and it’s every bit as intense and expressive. Immediately after listening to Soul, I went back to the Mason recording and was surprised at how many places his reading is misjudged. Soul manages to hold back, just the right amount – and yet squeezes from each line exactly the right level of delivery. He does exactly what a great storyteller should do: fade just enough into the background so that his voice creates the pictures in your mind. He’s showcasing Poe, not himself. Each tale is a superb reading from end to end.
Each of the stories is delivered with equal skill: The Pit and the Pendulum, The Masque of the Red Death, The Tell-Tale Heart, The Facts in the Case of M. Valdemar and Hop-Frog. And of course, the content is unabridged. Well, who would have the nerve to edit Poe?
Soul’s narration is underpinned by excellent music and sound effects. Director Barnaby Edwards has been responsible for plenty of full-cast audio plays; this experience shows when bringing into the narrative elements which don’t strictly belong there. Sound effects and music are there to support the narrator, not to overpower him. Some of this stuff is very subtly done – a wonderful experience when wearing headphones in the dark.
Clearly, this work has been directed by someone who isn’t just out to cash in on Poe: he understands his work and respects it thoroughly. It’s as much a labour of love as it is a commercial venture.
And Poe – goodness, that’s hallowed ground. Poe is one of my favourite authors and, over one hundred and fifty years after his death, his style of writing can easily come across as hammy and pseudo-gothic in the wrong hands.
Add to that the choice of narrator – David Soul? Surely he’s a bit, well, lightweight?
My misgivings were entirely misplaced. Soul is the perfect narrator. I’m going to go out on a limb, too. If, like me, you were entranced by James Mason’s rendition of The Tell-Tale Heart, there’s a real worry that nothing will come close. But not only does Soul come close, in my book he entirely surpasses Mason. Soul’s voice may not be as distinctive as Mason’s but the reading is all the better for it – and it’s every bit as intense and expressive. Immediately after listening to Soul, I went back to the Mason recording and was surprised at how many places his reading is misjudged. Soul manages to hold back, just the right amount – and yet squeezes from each line exactly the right level of delivery. He does exactly what a great storyteller should do: fade just enough into the background so that his voice creates the pictures in your mind. He’s showcasing Poe, not himself. Each tale is a superb reading from end to end.
Each of the stories is delivered with equal skill: The Pit and the Pendulum, The Masque of the Red Death, The Tell-Tale Heart, The Facts in the Case of M. Valdemar and Hop-Frog. And of course, the content is unabridged. Well, who would have the nerve to edit Poe?
Soul’s narration is underpinned by excellent music and sound effects. Director Barnaby Edwards has been responsible for plenty of full-cast audio plays; this experience shows when bringing into the narrative elements which don’t strictly belong there. Sound effects and music are there to support the narrator, not to overpower him. Some of this stuff is very subtly done – a wonderful experience when wearing headphones in the dark.
Clearly, this work has been directed by someone who isn’t just out to cash in on Poe: he understands his work and respects it thoroughly. It’s as much a labour of love as it is a commercial venture.
June 23, 2021
This audio anthology includes 5 short tales from Edgar Allan Poe, the masterful father of American horror fiction. Included are:
(1) The Pit and the Pendulum - Off to a good start. This is a favorite Poe story of mine and the narrator, David Soul, does a great job with it. His voice works wonderfully well at evoking the gothic tension of the prisoner’s torture chamber.
(2) The Masque of the Red Death - Another favorite of mine. This classic tale is one of Poe’s best. Again, Soul’s voice and inflection do a brilliant job at conjuring the atmosphere and gothic horror of Poe’s prose. And it’s very topical with the COVID-19 pandemic in full swing as I’m listening to it.
(3) The Tell-Tale Heart - Its not that I do not like this story, I do, it’s wonderful. But this, perhaps more than any other Poe story, is always included in seemingly every collection or anthology. So, perhaps, it’s almost too well known. Still, Soul does some wonderful voice work in narrating this tale. The presentation makes the value of the story, and why it is so well beloved, unmistakable.
(4) The Facts in the Case of M Valdemar - Another fine audio edition. Soul delivers another wonderful reading.
(5) Hog-Frog - This is a very creepy story and Soul’s delivery unleashes all the warped, twisted humor and charnel horror. I think I’ve gained a whole new appreciation for this tale with this unique audio presentation.
I have to admit that I’m a little disappointed that this collection didn’t include either A Cask of Amontillado or The System of Doctor Tarr and Professor Fether, two of my all-time favorites. I would have also loved to hear this narrator have read either The Raven and/or The Bells. But that doesn’t diminish the quality of this production a single iota. This release also includes several isolated music tracks used in stories.
(1) The Pit and the Pendulum - Off to a good start. This is a favorite Poe story of mine and the narrator, David Soul, does a great job with it. His voice works wonderfully well at evoking the gothic tension of the prisoner’s torture chamber.
(2) The Masque of the Red Death - Another favorite of mine. This classic tale is one of Poe’s best. Again, Soul’s voice and inflection do a brilliant job at conjuring the atmosphere and gothic horror of Poe’s prose. And it’s very topical with the COVID-19 pandemic in full swing as I’m listening to it.
(3) The Tell-Tale Heart - Its not that I do not like this story, I do, it’s wonderful. But this, perhaps more than any other Poe story, is always included in seemingly every collection or anthology. So, perhaps, it’s almost too well known. Still, Soul does some wonderful voice work in narrating this tale. The presentation makes the value of the story, and why it is so well beloved, unmistakable.
(4) The Facts in the Case of M Valdemar - Another fine audio edition. Soul delivers another wonderful reading.
(5) Hog-Frog - This is a very creepy story and Soul’s delivery unleashes all the warped, twisted humor and charnel horror. I think I’ve gained a whole new appreciation for this tale with this unique audio presentation.
I have to admit that I’m a little disappointed that this collection didn’t include either A Cask of Amontillado or The System of Doctor Tarr and Professor Fether, two of my all-time favorites. I would have also loved to hear this narrator have read either The Raven and/or The Bells. But that doesn’t diminish the quality of this production a single iota. This release also includes several isolated music tracks used in stories.
December 31, 2018
1833 - MS in a Bottle (7/10)
1835 - Berenice (4/10)
1835 - Morella (3/10)
1838 - Ligeia (3/10)
1839 - The Man Who Was Used Up (4/10)
1839 - The Fall of the House of Usher (8/10)
1839 - William Wilson (6/10)
1840 - The Man of the Crowd (8/10)
1841 - The Murders in the Rue Morgue (8/10)
1841 - Eleonora (2/10)
1842 - The Domain of Arnheim (2/10)
1842 - The Masque of the Red Death (8/10)
1842 - The Pit and the Pendulum (8/10)
1842 - The Mystery of Marie Roget (7/10)
1843 - The Tell Tale Heart (9/10)
1843 - The Gold Bug (7/10)
1843 - The Black Cat (7/10)
1844 - The Tale of the Ragged Mountains (5/10)
1844 - The Purloined Letter (8/10)
1845 - The System of Dr Tar and M. Valdemar
1845 - The Imp of the Peverse (4/10)
1846 - The Casket of Amontillado (5/10)
1849 - Hop Frog (9/10)
1849 - Von Kempelin and His Discovery (2/10)
1835 - Berenice (4/10)
1835 - Morella (3/10)
1838 - Ligeia (3/10)
1839 - The Man Who Was Used Up (4/10)
1839 - The Fall of the House of Usher (8/10)
1839 - William Wilson (6/10)
1840 - The Man of the Crowd (8/10)
1841 - The Murders in the Rue Morgue (8/10)
1841 - Eleonora (2/10)
1842 - The Domain of Arnheim (2/10)
1842 - The Masque of the Red Death (8/10)
1842 - The Pit and the Pendulum (8/10)
1842 - The Mystery of Marie Roget (7/10)
1843 - The Tell Tale Heart (9/10)
1843 - The Gold Bug (7/10)
1843 - The Black Cat (7/10)
1844 - The Tale of the Ragged Mountains (5/10)
1844 - The Purloined Letter (8/10)
1845 - The System of Dr Tar and M. Valdemar
1845 - The Imp of the Peverse (4/10)
1846 - The Casket of Amontillado (5/10)
1849 - Hop Frog (9/10)
1849 - Von Kempelin and His Discovery (2/10)
September 21, 2020
The illustrations in this book are beautiful and informative which was my main reason for reading this book. I have read other collections of Poe's work without amended vocabulary but with less interesting illustrations. This is an excellent book for 7th graders. I feel The Gold Bug could be read to or read by a 3rd grader.
THE GOLD BUG - 5 Stars Words which were censored when Jupiter spoke "dat d--d bug" (deuced), "what for mus tote de bug way up de tree d—n if I do!" (damn)
THE OVAL PORTRAIT - 4 Stars
THE PIT AND THE PENDULUM - 5 Stars
THE CASK OF AMONTILLADO - 5 Stars
SOME WORDS WITH A MUMMY - 4 Stars
THE TELL-TALE HEART - 5 Stars
THE MURDERS IN THE RUE MORGUE - 5 Stars
THE GOLD BUG - 5 Stars Words which were censored when Jupiter spoke "dat d--d bug" (deuced), "what for mus tote de bug way up de tree d—n if I do!" (damn)
THE OVAL PORTRAIT - 4 Stars
THE PIT AND THE PENDULUM - 5 Stars
THE CASK OF AMONTILLADO - 5 Stars
SOME WORDS WITH A MUMMY - 4 Stars
THE TELL-TALE HEART - 5 Stars
THE MURDERS IN THE RUE MORGUE - 5 Stars
January 21, 2020
Mou favoritkou stejně stále zůstává Jáma a kyvadlo. Přesto, že jsem už od začátku věděla, jak to dopadne, hrůzou jsem nedýchala. A Černý kocour. Nejsou pro nic za nic jedněmi z těch nejznámějších. Ostatní už byly trochu slabší, ale číst se daly. E.A.P. to umí. :)
(Možná spíše doporučuji sbírku nesoucí název Černý kocour, neboť v ní se, dle mého názoru, nachází povídky zajímavější.)
(Možná spíše doporučuji sbírku nesoucí název Černý kocour, neboť v ní se, dle mého názoru, nachází povídky zajímavější.)
December 12, 2017
By impulse I just grabbed it while I was looking for another book at the library, and so didn't realise that it had amended vocab. I just wanted something dark and spooky, nothing fits the weird end of semester/start of holidays mood like stories about being buried alive.
January 22, 2015
Jáma a kyvadlo je opravdu zajímavá povídka plná napětí. Ne nebála jsem se, ale dovedu si představit, jak musela působit na lidi v té době.
March 21, 2016
I still don't hate you, EAP.
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November 20, 2025If you're into Vincent Price, symbolism this is for you.
December 1, 2025
1. Zlaty brouk
- Hledání pokladu v jižní karolíně v americe. Všechno kvůli zlatému brouku, kterého najdou dva chlapi, těmhle dvoum chlapům pomuže hlavní hrdina, ktery je s nimi kamarád nevědomky najít poklad, ktery mu později kamarad vysvětlí, jak se k nalezení dopracoval podle pergamenu, ohně, kódu, stromu a tak.
-5/5
2. Pád do Malströmu
-Přiběh ktery vypravi stařec o dobrodružství co zažil se svym bratrem když jel chytat ryby ale strhlo je to do víru a jak se odtamtud dostal. Nevim bylo to takovy lehce nudny ale aji zajimavy
-2,5/5
3.Vraždy v ulici Morgue
-Detektivni pripad, o tom jak se stala nevyřešitelna brutalni vražda v bytě kde je velmi těžke se dostat. Viník je absolutně necekany, a příběh za tím co se stalo mi přijde taky fresh. Přiběh kterej dodá takovej dobrej vdech do detektivek. Hlavni hrdina je detektiv Dupin co je takovej druhej sherlock holmes.
-3,5/5
4.Záhada Marie Rogetove
- Cenim inspiraci ze skutečnych udalostí. Zajimavý vývoj, výborně napsané myšlenky a jejich pochody a tím vytvořený obraz o cele situaci. Ale chyběla mi tam jiskra, ktera byla v predesle povidce. Je to o holce ktera se po druhe ztrati z domu francii a dupin se snaží přijit na to kde je a do toho se tam zaplete vrazda o znasilneni uplne o jine divce, takze tam je zmatek.
-3/5
5.Černý kocour
- Za mě moc rychlý děj, ale výborně napsaná povídka o transformaci člověka v alkoholové závislosti. A taky výborně napsana atmosfera. MILUJU TUHLE STORKU.
-5/5
6.Jáma a kyvadlo
- Po druhe jsem to nečetl xd, ale co si vzpominám když jsem si poslechl audioknihu, že to má NEJVIC STRAŠIDELNOU A NEPŘIJEMNOU HORROROVOU ATMOSFERU. Strach z neznáma, ze stísňující-se-ho prostoru a chlad je to co se mi v paměti vrylo o tehle povídce. Výborná gradace. Hlavni hrdina mi byl jedno. Ale pribeh o tom ze se musi dostat zpod priblizujiciho se kyvadla, kdyz je privazan na stul a pak se musi dostat ven ale musi najit zpusob jak, protoze se k nemu priblizuji steny a místo 4 stěny je temná jáma. Brutalni plot.
-5/5
7.Maska Červene smrti
- Elegantni a nepřijemný příběh o Kralovstvi/plese/králi, ktery je zvláštní a pestrobarevny, a Hostu oblečenem do červené smrti, jenž příjde na onen ples, kde bimbaj stare ebenove hodiny a tim se blíží hrad a jeho panstvo k poslední hodince. MEGA DOBRY. Atmosfera vyborna, kontrasty barev mi bili do očí jen přes ty slova. A Červena smrt má mega brutalni auru.
-5/5
8.Ostrov víl
- Nějaka random 100% natural povidka o divnym ostruvku v lese u řeky kde jsou víly a typek je pozoruje
- 1/5
9. Medailón
- O typkovi co bere drogy a pak zjisti minulost obrazu mladé paní, který ho před tím moc zaujal. Příběh paní byl dobrej ale pribeh toho typka zbytecnej
-1,5/5
10. Zrádné srdce
- O typkovi co rika ze neni psychopat, ale podle mého pocitu magor je. Typek zabije modrookyho starce, kterej ho stve kvuli oku (jak rikam, magor) a pak dostane infarkt kvuli tlukotu srdce starce, ktery uslyší nad mistem kde schoval jeho tělo. Jakože mělo to aspoň dobrej vibe a atmosferu
- 3/5
11. O šizení, jakožto o exatní nědě
- Charakterizace šidilů a příklady šizuňků, jak ošidili lidi. Jakoze ja nejsem šidil, takže jsem to moc nesdílel to nadšení k tématu a bylo mi spíš líto těch lidí, ale ta charakterizace byla moc fajn xd
- 2/5
12. Rozhovor Mona a Uny
- Nicemu jsem nerozumel a bylo to random. Nejakej monolog mrtve duse k mrtvy dusi kterou miluje
- 0,5/5
13. Filosofie nábytku
- Meleš hovna o nabytku, doma se posunala a je mi jedno ze ses mrtvej edgare
- 0,5/5
14. Muž davu
- Zbytecny pribeh o dědovi co je zmatenej a běha na random místa a hlavní hrdina ho sleduje
- 1/5
15. Nikdy se s čertem nesázej o hlavu!
- Typek se vsadil s čertem o hlavu a pak ji už neměl a hlavni hrdina, ktery mu chtel pomoct napříč povídkou, tak nakonci jeho mrtve tělo hodi psům, protoze mu nechce platit funus
- 1,5/5
16. Arnheimské panství aneb zahrada v krajině
- 1. polovina povidky je nějaka filozofie, ve ktere jsem nerozuměl ani jednu větu. A 2.část byla o zahradě, která mě nezajímala
- 1/5
17. Eleonora
- Typek co byl v milujícím vztahu se svou sestřenicí a bydleli v krasnem udoli. Typka pak chcipla a on si nasel novou. Kromě krasne atmosfery prirody v 1.polovine, mě to nezaujalo
- 1,5/5
18. Příběh z rozeklaných hor
- Nebavil jsem se, kdyz pribeh vypraví člověk co je zavislej na morfiu, a doktoři si několik let hráli s jeho tělem, tak světe nediv se když mu nevěřim nic. Ale aspoň to mělo zajimavou zapletku na konci spjatou s reinkarnací.
- 1/5
19. Tři neděle v týdnu
- taková mala storka jak se pár chtěl vzít, ale potrebovali strycovo svoleni. O posunuti casu ve svete. Bavilo me to, ale nic převratnyho
- 2,5/5
20. Deník Juliana Rodmana
- Nebavilo mě to, takze jsem četl jen dvacet stranek a pak jsem toho nechal. Vypravy v americe asi nejsou nic pro mě i guess. Nedavam tedy zadne hodnoceni
- 🏔/5
- Knizka prumerem tedy 2,42/5
- Hledání pokladu v jižní karolíně v americe. Všechno kvůli zlatému brouku, kterého najdou dva chlapi, těmhle dvoum chlapům pomuže hlavní hrdina, ktery je s nimi kamarád nevědomky najít poklad, ktery mu později kamarad vysvětlí, jak se k nalezení dopracoval podle pergamenu, ohně, kódu, stromu a tak.
-5/5
2. Pád do Malströmu
-Přiběh ktery vypravi stařec o dobrodružství co zažil se svym bratrem když jel chytat ryby ale strhlo je to do víru a jak se odtamtud dostal. Nevim bylo to takovy lehce nudny ale aji zajimavy
-2,5/5
3.Vraždy v ulici Morgue
-Detektivni pripad, o tom jak se stala nevyřešitelna brutalni vražda v bytě kde je velmi těžke se dostat. Viník je absolutně necekany, a příběh za tím co se stalo mi přijde taky fresh. Přiběh kterej dodá takovej dobrej vdech do detektivek. Hlavni hrdina je detektiv Dupin co je takovej druhej sherlock holmes.
-3,5/5
4.Záhada Marie Rogetove
- Cenim inspiraci ze skutečnych udalostí. Zajimavý vývoj, výborně napsané myšlenky a jejich pochody a tím vytvořený obraz o cele situaci. Ale chyběla mi tam jiskra, ktera byla v predesle povidce. Je to o holce ktera se po druhe ztrati z domu francii a dupin se snaží přijit na to kde je a do toho se tam zaplete vrazda o znasilneni uplne o jine divce, takze tam je zmatek.
-3/5
5.Černý kocour
- Za mě moc rychlý děj, ale výborně napsaná povídka o transformaci člověka v alkoholové závislosti. A taky výborně napsana atmosfera. MILUJU TUHLE STORKU.
-5/5
6.Jáma a kyvadlo
- Po druhe jsem to nečetl xd, ale co si vzpominám když jsem si poslechl audioknihu, že to má NEJVIC STRAŠIDELNOU A NEPŘIJEMNOU HORROROVOU ATMOSFERU. Strach z neznáma, ze stísňující-se-ho prostoru a chlad je to co se mi v paměti vrylo o tehle povídce. Výborná gradace. Hlavni hrdina mi byl jedno. Ale pribeh o tom ze se musi dostat zpod priblizujiciho se kyvadla, kdyz je privazan na stul a pak se musi dostat ven ale musi najit zpusob jak, protoze se k nemu priblizuji steny a místo 4 stěny je temná jáma. Brutalni plot.
-5/5
7.Maska Červene smrti
- Elegantni a nepřijemný příběh o Kralovstvi/plese/králi, ktery je zvláštní a pestrobarevny, a Hostu oblečenem do červené smrti, jenž příjde na onen ples, kde bimbaj stare ebenove hodiny a tim se blíží hrad a jeho panstvo k poslední hodince. MEGA DOBRY. Atmosfera vyborna, kontrasty barev mi bili do očí jen přes ty slova. A Červena smrt má mega brutalni auru.
-5/5
8.Ostrov víl
- Nějaka random 100% natural povidka o divnym ostruvku v lese u řeky kde jsou víly a typek je pozoruje
- 1/5
9. Medailón
- O typkovi co bere drogy a pak zjisti minulost obrazu mladé paní, který ho před tím moc zaujal. Příběh paní byl dobrej ale pribeh toho typka zbytecnej
-1,5/5
10. Zrádné srdce
- O typkovi co rika ze neni psychopat, ale podle mého pocitu magor je. Typek zabije modrookyho starce, kterej ho stve kvuli oku (jak rikam, magor) a pak dostane infarkt kvuli tlukotu srdce starce, ktery uslyší nad mistem kde schoval jeho tělo. Jakože mělo to aspoň dobrej vibe a atmosferu
- 3/5
11. O šizení, jakožto o exatní nědě
- Charakterizace šidilů a příklady šizuňků, jak ošidili lidi. Jakoze ja nejsem šidil, takže jsem to moc nesdílel to nadšení k tématu a bylo mi spíš líto těch lidí, ale ta charakterizace byla moc fajn xd
- 2/5
12. Rozhovor Mona a Uny
- Nicemu jsem nerozumel a bylo to random. Nejakej monolog mrtve duse k mrtvy dusi kterou miluje
- 0,5/5
13. Filosofie nábytku
- Meleš hovna o nabytku, doma se posunala a je mi jedno ze ses mrtvej edgare
- 0,5/5
14. Muž davu
- Zbytecny pribeh o dědovi co je zmatenej a běha na random místa a hlavní hrdina ho sleduje
- 1/5
15. Nikdy se s čertem nesázej o hlavu!
- Typek se vsadil s čertem o hlavu a pak ji už neměl a hlavni hrdina, ktery mu chtel pomoct napříč povídkou, tak nakonci jeho mrtve tělo hodi psům, protoze mu nechce platit funus
- 1,5/5
16. Arnheimské panství aneb zahrada v krajině
- 1. polovina povidky je nějaka filozofie, ve ktere jsem nerozuměl ani jednu větu. A 2.část byla o zahradě, která mě nezajímala
- 1/5
17. Eleonora
- Typek co byl v milujícím vztahu se svou sestřenicí a bydleli v krasnem udoli. Typka pak chcipla a on si nasel novou. Kromě krasne atmosfery prirody v 1.polovine, mě to nezaujalo
- 1,5/5
18. Příběh z rozeklaných hor
- Nebavil jsem se, kdyz pribeh vypraví člověk co je zavislej na morfiu, a doktoři si několik let hráli s jeho tělem, tak světe nediv se když mu nevěřim nic. Ale aspoň to mělo zajimavou zapletku na konci spjatou s reinkarnací.
- 1/5
19. Tři neděle v týdnu
- taková mala storka jak se pár chtěl vzít, ale potrebovali strycovo svoleni. O posunuti casu ve svete. Bavilo me to, ale nic převratnyho
- 2,5/5
20. Deník Juliana Rodmana
- Nebavilo mě to, takze jsem četl jen dvacet stranek a pak jsem toho nechal. Vypravy v americe asi nejsou nic pro mě i guess. Nedavam tedy zadne hodnoceni
- 🏔/5
- Knizka prumerem tedy 2,42/5
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 28, 2023
Leído para el reto lector de Edgar Allan Poe Argentina
En el contexto histórico de la inquisición española, el protagonista (voz em primera persona) encerrado en una celda atraviesa la angustia y desesperación de saber que va morir por medio de un mecanismo de tortura, en su desesperación decide meterse en una fosa con la intención de sobrevivir debido a que piensa un plan.
En esta obra Poe hace uso de las descripciones y pensamientos del hombre para que el lector pase por la experiencia y sienta el sufrimiento del mismo. El ritmo de lectura es adictivo y si bien en este relato corto no hay terror/horror es suspenso atraviesa en todo momento.
FRASES:
" Como magnífica nota musical, se insinuó en mi imaginación la idea del inefable reposo que nos espera en la tumba. "
" Sus llamas se apagaron por completo, y sobrevino la negrura de las tinieblas; todas las sensaciones parecieron desaparecer como una zambullida loca y precipitada del alma en Hades. "
" Cuando nos despertamos del más profundo sueño, rompemos la telaraña del algún sueño. Y, no obstante, un segundo más tarde es tan delicado este tejido, que no recordamos haber soñado.
"Pupilas demoníacas, de una viveza siniestra y feroz, se clavaron sobre mí desde mil sitios distintos, donde yo anteriormente no había sospechado que se encontrara ninguna, y brillaban cual fulgor lúgubre de un fuego que, aunque vanamente, quería considerar completamente imaginario."
"Larga y sin piedad es la tortura aquí por la sed de sangre inocente, sin saciar, sin alimentar, ahora que la patria está protegida y rota está la gruta fúnebre, la muerte estuvo donde ahora hay vida saludable. "
En el contexto histórico de la inquisición española, el protagonista (voz em primera persona) encerrado en una celda atraviesa la angustia y desesperación de saber que va morir por medio de un mecanismo de tortura, en su desesperación decide meterse en una fosa con la intención de sobrevivir debido a que piensa un plan.
En esta obra Poe hace uso de las descripciones y pensamientos del hombre para que el lector pase por la experiencia y sienta el sufrimiento del mismo. El ritmo de lectura es adictivo y si bien en este relato corto no hay terror/horror es suspenso atraviesa en todo momento.
FRASES:
" Como magnífica nota musical, se insinuó en mi imaginación la idea del inefable reposo que nos espera en la tumba. "
" Sus llamas se apagaron por completo, y sobrevino la negrura de las tinieblas; todas las sensaciones parecieron desaparecer como una zambullida loca y precipitada del alma en Hades. "
" Cuando nos despertamos del más profundo sueño, rompemos la telaraña del algún sueño. Y, no obstante, un segundo más tarde es tan delicado este tejido, que no recordamos haber soñado.
"Pupilas demoníacas, de una viveza siniestra y feroz, se clavaron sobre mí desde mil sitios distintos, donde yo anteriormente no había sospechado que se encontrara ninguna, y brillaban cual fulgor lúgubre de un fuego que, aunque vanamente, quería considerar completamente imaginario."
"Larga y sin piedad es la tortura aquí por la sed de sangre inocente, sin saciar, sin alimentar, ahora que la patria está protegida y rota está la gruta fúnebre, la muerte estuvo donde ahora hay vida saludable. "
January 28, 2024
3,5⭐️
Nektery povidky byly fakt dobry, ale hodne z nich je fakt bolestivy cist, protoze jsou hrozne nudny a k nepochopeni. Dost tech pribehu mi pripadalo sobe podobnejch a furt se tam jednalo o podobny temata, coz bylo otravny. Taky jsem se dozvedela v predmluve, ze si Poe vzal svoji 13 letou sestrenici, ups
Nektery povidky byly fakt dobry, ale hodne z nich je fakt bolestivy cist, protoze jsou hrozne nudny a k nepochopeni. Dost tech pribehu mi pripadalo sobe podobnejch a furt se tam jednalo o podobny temata, coz bylo otravny. Taky jsem se dozvedela v predmluve, ze si Poe vzal svoji 13 letou sestrenici, ups
July 7, 2021
حتی حاذق در به تصویر کشیدن درد مطلق
October 21, 2022
povídky, které jsou worth it:
- jáma a kyvadlo
- černý kocour
- sud vína amontilladského
- skokan
- zrádné srdce
- maska červené smrti
- zánik domu usherů
zbytek byl pain číst://
- jáma a kyvadlo
- černý kocour
- sud vína amontilladského
- skokan
- zrádné srdce
- maska červené smrti
- zánik domu usherů
zbytek byl pain číst://
April 6, 2025
Jáma a kyvadlo
Černý kocour
Maska červené smrti
Berenice
Černý kocour
Maska červené smrti
Berenice
November 15, 2025
Poe umí napsat nápadité, napínavé a atmosférické texty; občas jsou až moc divné nebo příliš překombinované a snad ani jednou se mi nestalo, že by měl text zdařilý začátek.
(Jinak vůbec nezvládám různost vydání Poeových povídek v češtině, protože je extrémně složité se zorientovat, jaké výběry existují, co které obsahují a co kde chybí.)
(Jinak vůbec nezvládám různost vydání Poeových povídek v češtině, protože je extrémně složité se zorientovat, jaké výběry existují, co které obsahují a co kde chybí.)
June 8, 2021
Některé povídky se mi líbily více (např. Jáma a kyvadlo, Černý kocour aj.), některé méně. Některé povídky vyvolaly ve mne pocity strachu.
December 1, 2019
The misery of the individual. The mischief of the individualism. Twisted minds acted in this theatre play in front of eyes its readers. Stories overflew with gore, blood and other nasty liquids. The author himself plays with our imagination by half-opened endings, which makes feelings raw and mind itchy for what could happen next. Between the lines, of course, it's the obvious desire of Mr Poe to let our thoughts get dirty by questioning our sanity, while we read the short stories about death; served with a (very) graphical description of processes of the mutilation; which is something I loved in this book.
About stories, they were creepy and disturbing, though I enjoyed every single bit of them. It was like facing the fears you didn't know you have. The most favourite story from the collection was "The Red Death's mask", where I found it hard to empathize with the murdered prince, which surprised me, honestly. The way how he describes the surroundings of each story makes a realistic image in front of your eyes. There's only a little space for own imagination. We are slowly and harshly pulled into a world of Poe's mind. There's no step out of the book, but the very end.
Another mastery of Mr Poe I see in a way how his characters reacted at the specific situation; as being so close to the death; and how they, together, make each story special and different from others. The best example of this fact I saw in "Berenice", which is a nice reminder of what we can loose while concentrating on dreams we are unable to reach/fulfil.
And what makes these stories worth of reading? It's a message from inquisitiveness of humankind and awakening of questions we sometimes give to ourselves: "Will darkness inside me win this fight?"
"To who I will turn if I let my guard split...?" or "Will I found a power to fight my daemons when they started to overcome me?"
After reading the whole book, from the very start to the end, you can realize two things: E.A. Poe is the genius writer or he is a total maniac with mental illness and probably a murderer.
I found the Pit and the Pendulum interesting and I fully recommend it to everyone who doesn't eat while reading a book. 5/5.
About stories, they were creepy and disturbing, though I enjoyed every single bit of them. It was like facing the fears you didn't know you have. The most favourite story from the collection was "The Red Death's mask", where I found it hard to empathize with the murdered prince, which surprised me, honestly. The way how he describes the surroundings of each story makes a realistic image in front of your eyes. There's only a little space for own imagination. We are slowly and harshly pulled into a world of Poe's mind. There's no step out of the book, but the very end.
Another mastery of Mr Poe I see in a way how his characters reacted at the specific situation; as being so close to the death; and how they, together, make each story special and different from others. The best example of this fact I saw in "Berenice", which is a nice reminder of what we can loose while concentrating on dreams we are unable to reach/fulfil.
And what makes these stories worth of reading? It's a message from inquisitiveness of humankind and awakening of questions we sometimes give to ourselves: "Will darkness inside me win this fight?"
"To who I will turn if I let my guard split...?" or "Will I found a power to fight my daemons when they started to overcome me?"
After reading the whole book, from the very start to the end, you can realize two things: E.A. Poe is the genius writer or he is a total maniac with mental illness and probably a murderer.
I found the Pit and the Pendulum interesting and I fully recommend it to everyone who doesn't eat while reading a book. 5/5.
May 3, 2020
Vydání kompletní Poeovy prózy v souborném vydání je ze sběratelského hlediska výborný nápad, z toho čtenářského už méně. Obě povídkové sbírky jsou nesourodým koktejlem (navíc divně poskládaným...není to chronologicky, není to podle žánrové podobnosti, nemá to vlastně žádný řád), a jakkoliv je autor nadčasový na poli děsu a makabrozit, a velmi solidně zábavný v dobrodružné próze; tak v momentech, kdy začne koketovat s humorem a satirou, úvahami, detektivními příběhy či jinými žánry, se plně projeví, jak značná část jeho díla ohromným způsobem zastarala. Z celé knihy je opravdu dobrých asi tak 40% povídek, a to ještě většinou ty nejprofláklejší (Černý kocour, Zrádné srdce, Jáma a kyvadlo, Pád do Maelstömu, Vraždy v Rue Morgue). Vyloženě příjemným překvapením byl Předčasný pohřeb (skvělá mysticko-horrorová atmosféra), apokalyptická jednohubka Eiros a Charmion, a pak ještě nedokončená dobrodružná novela Deník Julia Rodmana (která nadchne třeba ty, které bavil Arthur Gordon Pym). Zbytek osciluje mezi nudným průměrem a absolutní nečtivostí (u takové Záhady Marie Rogétové jsem asi třikrát usnul). Jako celek je kniha spíš pro kompletionisty a hlubší zájemce o autorovo dílo. Osobně bych uvítal, kdyby někdo vydal kompletní soubor pouze horrorových a mysteriózních Poeových textů...to by bylo na pět hvězd naprosto bez váhání. Tady takové lepší dvě, docela zklamání.
October 3, 2012
Though these are the short stories of Edgar Allen Poe they are quite enjoyable. Although having seen first movies that were supposedly based on Edgar Allen Poe and all they managed to convey to me was that the books must have been more creepy and disturbing than the films. As it turned out that was not the case at all. At most the stories could be called mildly bizarre in the fact that the story lines are different to others of their time. However, the story The Pit and the Pendulum did manage to convey a real sense of eeriness over the others, Poe must have put more of himself intto that story. Indeed I believe I read it when I was younger and I think had more of a startling effect, but it still is as disturbing as it was when I read it first. Some Words With a Mummy had more of a humorous nature and very effective it was too. The stories were very well written and fairly entertaining but no nightmares will be haunting me tonight!
July 31, 2020
Il pozzo e il pendolo è uno dei racconti più famosi di Edgar Allan Poe. E' il primo in questa raccolta che ne racchiude 12 in tutto, alcuni probabilmente già letti in età adolescenziale, ma di cui non ricordavo.
Sinceramente il genere non è tra i miei preferiti, essendo obbligata alla scelta per partecipare ad una challenge, ho selezionato un titolo scegliendolo tra i classici, considerandone anche la brevità e il fatto che fosse suddiviso in brevi racconti.
Nonostante questo ho trovato la lettura noiosa e l'ho portata a termine a fatica. Troppe descrizioni, particolari su particolari che nulla aggiungono alla narrazione, ma servono solo per aumentare il numero di pagine. Inoltre temo che la traduzione sia spesso superficiale, ho riscontrato termini usati in maniera totalmente impropria.
Insomma, senza niente togliere all'autore e a tutti quelli che lo amano, non è lo scrittore per me!
Sinceramente il genere non è tra i miei preferiti, essendo obbligata alla scelta per partecipare ad una challenge, ho selezionato un titolo scegliendolo tra i classici, considerandone anche la brevità e il fatto che fosse suddiviso in brevi racconti.
Nonostante questo ho trovato la lettura noiosa e l'ho portata a termine a fatica. Troppe descrizioni, particolari su particolari che nulla aggiungono alla narrazione, ma servono solo per aumentare il numero di pagine. Inoltre temo che la traduzione sia spesso superficiale, ho riscontrato termini usati in maniera totalmente impropria.
Insomma, senza niente togliere all'autore e a tutti quelli che lo amano, non è lo scrittore per me!
February 21, 2021
Una excelente recopilación de historias de E. A. Poe, todas las historias son muy buenas, salvo que a veces Poe se hace un poco indigesto aunque siempre es un genio. Sigue siendo mi favorita, por lo claustrofóbico e inverosímil, y porque se desarrolla en España, "El pozo y el péndulo". Sin desdeñar obras maestras como "El gato negro", la estupenda historia, me acuerdo de ella cuando alguien presume de entender de vinos, "El barril de amontillado". Y aunque las historias de mesmerismo de Poe nos hacen en el fondo sonreirá un poco, la historia del señor Vademar, no solo es excelente, sino que tiene un final espeluznante, quizás solo igualado por "Berenice". En definitiva, un estilo muy recargado, pero unos relatos excelentes
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