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The Essential Poe According to Joe: Poems & Stories
Beware The Black Cat...Good Luck Escaping The Pit...Don’t Go To That Party Without Your Masque...Delight in these and many more stories and poems from the master of dark prose, Edgar Allan Poe. This collection has been curated by award-winning audiobook narrator Joe Arden and is best enjoyed aurally. But feel free to enjoy these quintessential tales any way you like.
Audible Audio
Published October 19, 2021
6 people are currently reading
15 people want to read
About the author
Edgar Allan Poe
9,796 books28.7k 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 - 9 of 9 reviews
October 19, 2021
Audiobook Review
Performed by Joe Arden
I have been listening to Joe Arden narrate romance for many years now and I have heard many sides of his voice. There is a reason why he is my favorite narrator. He is a passionate storyteller, the way he taps in to every character with passion and emotion makes him a MASTER in his craft. HOWEVER it was not until this MAGNIFICENT performance that I understood how incredible his talent truly is. Hearing his telling of Edgar Allan Poe's short stories and poems was such an experience!! One you MUST experience for yourself! It is the darker, grittier and crazier side of his voice but so impactful! As I listened, I was blown away the emotion in Joe’s voice. His delivery is strong and powerful and gave me goosebumps at the end of each poem or story! BRILLIANT WORK JOE!
Performed by Joe Arden
I have been listening to Joe Arden narrate romance for many years now and I have heard many sides of his voice. There is a reason why he is my favorite narrator. He is a passionate storyteller, the way he taps in to every character with passion and emotion makes him a MASTER in his craft. HOWEVER it was not until this MAGNIFICENT performance that I understood how incredible his talent truly is. Hearing his telling of Edgar Allan Poe's short stories and poems was such an experience!! One you MUST experience for yourself! It is the darker, grittier and crazier side of his voice but so impactful! As I listened, I was blown away the emotion in Joe’s voice. His delivery is strong and powerful and gave me goosebumps at the end of each poem or story! BRILLIANT WORK JOE!
October 29, 2021
Joe Arden made me fall more in love with Edgar Allan Poe.
With his hauntingly beautiful rendition of the beloved classics, we have all read time and time again Joe Arden gives us Poe in a way that will send chills down your spine. You could feel the raw emotion, the passion, and the spine-tingling moments as if you were there seeing them come to life.
The Essential Poe According to Joe is going to be my new go to method when I want a little Poe in my life. Joe Arden is one of the best narrators I have ever heard and with this collection it really proves that he can do anything, and it make it sound delicious.
With his hauntingly beautiful rendition of the beloved classics, we have all read time and time again Joe Arden gives us Poe in a way that will send chills down your spine. You could feel the raw emotion, the passion, and the spine-tingling moments as if you were there seeing them come to life.
The Essential Poe According to Joe is going to be my new go to method when I want a little Poe in my life. Joe Arden is one of the best narrators I have ever heard and with this collection it really proves that he can do anything, and it make it sound delicious.
October 29, 2021
“ I would define the poetry of words as the rhythmical creation of beauty “… Edgar Allan Poe.
Well, award winning audiobook narrator, Joe Arden really brought this collection of EAP macabre stories and poems in a beautifully dark and unique way that’s all Joe’s own style. If you are a fan of Poe, you will certainly enjoy the extraordinary performance by Joe. I’m OBSESSED, he blew me away with how much he got into it, so animated, so expressive. He captures each story/poem with such passion. His articulation, infections, and emotions are so on point for each piece, each line. I really FELT THIS!
This collection was thrilling and exciting to listen to. There were so many “take my breath away” moments. Joe made my heart race really fast, and then in the next story, make me feel so relaxed and calm. I love reading Poe, but having Joe Arden read it to me in his unique way was such a treat! The Tell Tale Heart was my favorite piece in this collection. Joe gave another level of performance on this one, my goodness. The crazy inflections, extremely animated, slow…very slow whispers that gets your heart and mind going and your breathing hitched. His aggressive, menacing, CREEPY cackle, and that maniacal laughter that was spine tingling and hair raising.
If you are a fan of Poe, this is a MUST LISTEN! There is something for everyone in these haunting tales. I highly recommend Joe’s remarkable interpretation on Poe’s classic works.
Well, award winning audiobook narrator, Joe Arden really brought this collection of EAP macabre stories and poems in a beautifully dark and unique way that’s all Joe’s own style. If you are a fan of Poe, you will certainly enjoy the extraordinary performance by Joe. I’m OBSESSED, he blew me away with how much he got into it, so animated, so expressive. He captures each story/poem with such passion. His articulation, infections, and emotions are so on point for each piece, each line. I really FELT THIS!
This collection was thrilling and exciting to listen to. There were so many “take my breath away” moments. Joe made my heart race really fast, and then in the next story, make me feel so relaxed and calm. I love reading Poe, but having Joe Arden read it to me in his unique way was such a treat! The Tell Tale Heart was my favorite piece in this collection. Joe gave another level of performance on this one, my goodness. The crazy inflections, extremely animated, slow…very slow whispers that gets your heart and mind going and your breathing hitched. His aggressive, menacing, CREEPY cackle, and that maniacal laughter that was spine tingling and hair raising.
If you are a fan of Poe, this is a MUST LISTEN! There is something for everyone in these haunting tales. I highly recommend Joe’s remarkable interpretation on Poe’s classic works.
October 21, 2021
Wow, my mind is totally blown!
Anyone who puts Joe in a box of just a romance narrator/author will be eating their words after this.
Having admired Joe's work in the romance genre for a number of years, I have heard Joe pull off incredible performances in every book he has narrated.
I have always known Joe is magnificent at his craft, however, performing the great Edgar Allan Poe's short stories and poems Mr Arden gives us a masterclass in the dark, chilling and crazy sides to his usually velvety voice.
Such an emotive and passionate performance that gave me chills, goosebumps and made the hairs on the back of my neck stand on end. I honestly don't think anyone could do Poe's work justice quite like Mr Arden.
Absolutely outstanding! This is a must add to the library for any Joe or Poe fan, you won't be disappointed.
Thank you Joe, for bringing Poe's work to life.
Anyone who puts Joe in a box of just a romance narrator/author will be eating their words after this.
Having admired Joe's work in the romance genre for a number of years, I have heard Joe pull off incredible performances in every book he has narrated.
I have always known Joe is magnificent at his craft, however, performing the great Edgar Allan Poe's short stories and poems Mr Arden gives us a masterclass in the dark, chilling and crazy sides to his usually velvety voice.
Such an emotive and passionate performance that gave me chills, goosebumps and made the hairs on the back of my neck stand on end. I honestly don't think anyone could do Poe's work justice quite like Mr Arden.
Absolutely outstanding! This is a must add to the library for any Joe or Poe fan, you won't be disappointed.
Thank you Joe, for bringing Poe's work to life.
October 29, 2021
Hauntingly Beautiful,and a Completely powerful,enthralling performance by Joe Arden.
A Soul stirring rendition of Edgar Allen Poes Poems and short stories,I could not get enough of Joe's Hypnotic voice,it lulled me to the darkside of Poe's work.
This Audiobook was surprisingly Eerie and gothically irresistible.
Joe Arden is always a must listen for me and this darkly exquisite collection just proves there is more to this mans talent than meets the eye.
I LOVED Every single word.
Excellent and beguiling
I Highly recommend it.
10 Stars
A Soul stirring rendition of Edgar Allen Poes Poems and short stories,I could not get enough of Joe's Hypnotic voice,it lulled me to the darkside of Poe's work.
This Audiobook was surprisingly Eerie and gothically irresistible.
Joe Arden is always a must listen for me and this darkly exquisite collection just proves there is more to this mans talent than meets the eye.
I LOVED Every single word.
Excellent and beguiling
I Highly recommend it.
10 Stars
December 23, 2021
4.5*
*Listened to audiobook*
*Listened to audiobook*
April 24, 2025
Edgar Allan Poe and Joe Arden, perfect combination!
November 16, 2025
It's really a bunch of 6 and 5 star performances mixed in with some 3s, but the 5s and 6s are enough to carry it to an all-around 5.
November 18, 2024
FORMAT: Audiobook
Narrator: Joe Arden
I liked it. I have never read Edgar Allen Poe and listening to Joe reading the stories and poems, reminded me of the radio plays back in the day my father would listen to. He had tapes of old plays. I throughly enjoyed it.
Narrator: Joe Arden
I liked it. I have never read Edgar Allen Poe and listening to Joe reading the stories and poems, reminded me of the radio plays back in the day my father would listen to. He had tapes of old plays. I throughly enjoyed it.
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews