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Six creepy tales
"Edgar Allan Poe has the ability to manipulate language so well that he could engage my imagination and get me terrified even though little was 'done' in the sense of horrible actions described. My imagination, under the power of his creepy words, conjured the atmosphere and did the rest by itself. In this recording I've chosen some of his stories that succeed so well in leaving lingering hair raising memories with me. I hope you enjoy listening to them as much as I did reading them." - Phil Chenevert, narrator.
Listening time: 1:59:56.
Contents:
1 - The Telltale Heart
2 - The Masque of the Red Death
3 - The Black Cat
4 - The Raven
5 - The Casque of Amontillado
6 - Berenice
Listening time: 1:59:56.
Contents:
1 - The Telltale Heart
2 - The Masque of the Red Death
3 - The Black Cat
4 - The Raven
5 - The Casque of Amontillado
6 - Berenice
280 pages, Audiobook
Published February 2, 2013
16 people are currently reading
678 people want to read
About the author
Edgar Allan Poe
9,875 books28.8k 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 57 reviews
January 3, 2016
I enjoyed these dark creepy tales from a mind that is both beautiful and sinister. If you have never read Poe, you should start with this book. It gives you a glimpse into how the man thinks. Enjoy and Be Blessed.
Diamond
Diamond
February 6, 2020
Listened this on LibriVox.
Narrator is 5 stars!! So fitting to the story. I love his emotion, the way he pronounce and read is amazing. My favorite is Telltale heart and Black Cat.
Telltale heart - I find this creepy and great. The reason the narrator killed the old guy is ridiculous. Like why and how could that reason be the root of this nasty plans he have. He seems like a lunatic. Such a stalker for planning all this and going to the old man's house at midnight for what? Proper execution on the very day? The day he planted fear on the old man is the day he succeeded first step in killing him, in my opinion. How he killed the old guy is a normal thing for people who wants to kill someone easily. How he conceal the body is bloody. He must be on drugs how can he not feel a thing while doing it.
The Masque of the Red Death - The author explain the setting in the first part of the story. The duke has a weird taste of art.
Not sure about this story because I am confuse about it. This particular story seems confusing to me. I even searched to understand. This is confusing indeed.
The Black Cat - Here the narrator describes his life and how he love pets. His black cat's name is Pluto which is really cute. The narrator is explaining how he had a change in temper because of alcohol, and when Pluto hurt him, he directly thought of the things his wife believe about black cats. (racist) The heck he took out the eye of the cat! The imbecile!!! And he wonder why the cat is scared of him? Then get irritated? What a fool. The narrator is a lunatic I am sure of that. What he does with the cat is unimaginable and his reasons are absurd. I think the "other cat" the narrator is talking about are the same cat!
Woah this man is indeed crazy. The freaking fool killed her and the way he thought of disposing the body is creepy just like the first one. Wow. These people. He even sleep well and feel free.
His foolishly is priceless. LOL. Justice indeed.
The Raven - LOL. If I am the narrator of the story I would have heart attack hearing tapping from door but no one is there.
After the loudest tap he heard, the narration turn out to be poetry which is pleasing to the ear. I love the rhymes and all!
The Cast of Amontillado - Not sure about this story. I didn't get this much. There's a guy who have a lot of cough and a guy who were looking for the Amontillado. They saw bones. I don't really understand this. LOL.
Berenice - I realise what a nice this is when the narrator say it. Seems like a sexy and romantic name.
Oh no. Surely an incident happen that includes Berenice. So sad.
He saw Berenice. Hmmmm. That might be the creepy part since she is already dead.
Then he is talking about Berenice's teeth. As I understand, he saw her teeth. My question how come it's there.
Oh she dies of epilepsy.
Oh oh I am confuse. So all those things from the beginning were dreams? Then after the dream it came true? Woa. He strive to decipher them, which I really do also!!!
Overall this is indeed a great read. My issue is me having troubles with some of the stories. They seem to be hard to understand and needs more concentration and maybe repeating the story again and again.
Narrator is 5 stars!! So fitting to the story. I love his emotion, the way he pronounce and read is amazing. My favorite is Telltale heart and Black Cat.
Telltale heart - I find this creepy and great. The reason the narrator killed the old guy is ridiculous. Like why and how could that reason be the root of this nasty plans he have. He seems like a lunatic. Such a stalker for planning all this and going to the old man's house at midnight for what? Proper execution on the very day? The day he planted fear on the old man is the day he succeeded first step in killing him, in my opinion. How he killed the old guy is a normal thing for people who wants to kill someone easily. How he conceal the body is bloody. He must be on drugs how can he not feel a thing while doing it.
The Masque of the Red Death - The author explain the setting in the first part of the story. The duke has a weird taste of art.
Not sure about this story because I am confuse about it. This particular story seems confusing to me. I even searched to understand. This is confusing indeed.
The Black Cat - Here the narrator describes his life and how he love pets. His black cat's name is Pluto which is really cute. The narrator is explaining how he had a change in temper because of alcohol, and when Pluto hurt him, he directly thought of the things his wife believe about black cats. (racist) The heck he took out the eye of the cat! The imbecile!!! And he wonder why the cat is scared of him? Then get irritated? What a fool. The narrator is a lunatic I am sure of that. What he does with the cat is unimaginable and his reasons are absurd. I think the "other cat" the narrator is talking about are the same cat!
Woah this man is indeed crazy. The freaking fool killed her and the way he thought of disposing the body is creepy just like the first one. Wow. These people. He even sleep well and feel free.
His foolishly is priceless. LOL. Justice indeed.
The Raven - LOL. If I am the narrator of the story I would have heart attack hearing tapping from door but no one is there.
After the loudest tap he heard, the narration turn out to be poetry which is pleasing to the ear. I love the rhymes and all!
The Cast of Amontillado - Not sure about this story. I didn't get this much. There's a guy who have a lot of cough and a guy who were looking for the Amontillado. They saw bones. I don't really understand this. LOL.
Berenice - I realise what a nice this is when the narrator say it. Seems like a sexy and romantic name.
Oh no. Surely an incident happen that includes Berenice. So sad.
He saw Berenice. Hmmmm. That might be the creepy part since she is already dead.
Then he is talking about Berenice's teeth. As I understand, he saw her teeth. My question how come it's there.
Oh she dies of epilepsy.
Oh oh I am confuse. So all those things from the beginning were dreams? Then after the dream it came true? Woa. He strive to decipher them, which I really do also!!!
Overall this is indeed a great read. My issue is me having troubles with some of the stories. They seem to be hard to understand and needs more concentration and maybe repeating the story again and again.
March 4, 2023
I listened to this on a Librivox recording, which I feel the narrator struggled a little. He seemed to get caught up with the syntax at times? Not that I could do any better, mind you! Some of Poes finest in here and always worth a read/listen 3.5⭐️
March 7, 2016
The only time I came across Edgar Allan Poe was at school with "The Raven". Not that I could remember very much, except the phrase 'never more' (okay, who doesn't). When I saw this collection on Librivox, I thought I'll give it a try. Glad I did! The six tales were:
The Tell-tale-heart (kept me interested)
The Masque of the Red Death (during this one I started searching for notes and analyzes on Google)
The Black Cat - (sooooo creepy. Very good. Didn't even need Google)
The Ravan - (never more.....)
The Casque of Amontillado (called Google up again)
Berenice - (I've always loved that name, never more. It might only be my imagination, but I think I have toothache)
The Tell-tale-heart (kept me interested)
The Masque of the Red Death (during this one I started searching for notes and analyzes on Google)
The Black Cat - (sooooo creepy. Very good. Didn't even need Google)
The Ravan - (never more.....)
The Casque of Amontillado (called Google up again)
Berenice - (I've always loved that name, never more. It might only be my imagination, but I think I have toothache)
February 2, 2017
I listened to the audiobook in a brief two hour listen. Edgar Allen Poe's work shows a new darkness and evil which I have not yet seen. These short stories display short horrors of what occurs in the past, present and undeniable the future of the human species.
The telltale heart, being the first story displayed in the book, is my favourite. Showing the mental views and instability of the killer, it's in the pov which most avoid.
I extremely enjoy these dark tales that have been published in this novel, which I will relisten to in future. These stories gave a sample of what to expect for Poe's other novels. Which have been added to my ever growing to read list.
The telltale heart, being the first story displayed in the book, is my favourite. Showing the mental views and instability of the killer, it's in the pov which most avoid.
I extremely enjoy these dark tales that have been published in this novel, which I will relisten to in future. These stories gave a sample of what to expect for Poe's other novels. Which have been added to my ever growing to read list.
January 26, 2020
I thought that this book was good
November 7, 2021
[3.5 stars]
This was my first time reading Edgar Allan Poe, and I'm now a certified Edgar Allan Hoe 😙🤙🏼
His Gothic writing style is incredibly fascinating to me, and all of his stories were short, crisp, and extremely dark. Most of his characters in this anthology are all extremely fond of entombing other creatures, and then trying to make themselves appear sane to the readers.
In this collection, the stories mainly deal with the themes of murder/death, lost love, or both. I'd rank the 6 stories in this anthology as such:-
1. The Black Cat
2. The Tell-Tale Heart
3. Berenice
4. The Masque of the Red Death
5. The Cask of Amontillado
6. The Raven
This was my first time reading Edgar Allan Poe, and I'm now a certified Edgar Allan Hoe 😙🤙🏼
His Gothic writing style is incredibly fascinating to me, and all of his stories were short, crisp, and extremely dark. Most of his characters in this anthology are all extremely fond of entombing other creatures, and then trying to make themselves appear sane to the readers.
In this collection, the stories mainly deal with the themes of murder/death, lost love, or both. I'd rank the 6 stories in this anthology as such:-
1. The Black Cat
2. The Tell-Tale Heart
3. Berenice
4. The Masque of the Red Death
5. The Cask of Amontillado
6. The Raven
August 10, 2014
The best were "The Black Cat" and "The Telltale Heart". We listened to these on our drive to our new home in Indiana.
January 17, 2022
I had not read Poe for many years and certainly do not recall that his diction was so difficult to follow. His syntax and style are so complicated that it is difficult to pursue the story. In fact, sometimes the syntax was so difficult, it obscured the meaning of the sentence. In "The Fall of the House of Usher," for example, I found one sentence which was interrupted by ten dependant clauses set off within in comas.
Moreover, in order to show off his command of language and ability to use complicated syntax, Poe often presents concepts through redundant sentences. The simplest of details receive the most complicated of descriptions.
Poe was required reading in high school and college when I was young, used then as exemplary writing. If I were teaching today, I would require a story or two to be read for their creative and imaginative content but would hold class discussions on why his style is so complicated and the implications of that pedantry upon the overall meaning and impact of his stories.
In the case of this book, I listened to it and also had to find written copies of the stories to accompany it. Poe's diction made the oral reading difficult to follow and I suspect also made it difficult for the narrators to deliver.
In spite of the label of "classics," I think it is probably time to consign Poe's writing to the dust bin.
Moreover, in order to show off his command of language and ability to use complicated syntax, Poe often presents concepts through redundant sentences. The simplest of details receive the most complicated of descriptions.
Poe was required reading in high school and college when I was young, used then as exemplary writing. If I were teaching today, I would require a story or two to be read for their creative and imaginative content but would hold class discussions on why his style is so complicated and the implications of that pedantry upon the overall meaning and impact of his stories.
In the case of this book, I listened to it and also had to find written copies of the stories to accompany it. Poe's diction made the oral reading difficult to follow and I suspect also made it difficult for the narrators to deliver.
In spite of the label of "classics," I think it is probably time to consign Poe's writing to the dust bin.
November 6, 2017
Found this audio book of six Poe tales on YouTube Monday afternoon, but was only able to get through the first five while at work, listened to the last one this morning. Two of these were ones I had not read/heard before: The Black Cat and Berenice. I had previously read the other four (The Raven, The Cask of Amantillado, The Tell-tale Heart and The Masque of the Red Death). Fairly good audio recording, though cadence seemed a bit off at times (weird pauses or emphasis on some words/sentences). Would also have been nice to have translations of Latin sentences.
September 15, 2019
This is the first autiobook that I finished, it was good mainly because of the Author
February 1, 2025
Poe is great at creating atmosphere and dread. Very interesting work, especially The Mask of the Red Death and The Raven.
June 21, 2019
It is indeed creepy.
September 20, 2024
A yearly fall ritual, just in time to start preparing for spooky season.
Even though I've been reading these for many years, each time I come back I'm equally creeped and surprised as if I do not know the ending to each story.
The atmosphere is unparalleled.
Read it during dusk time along with a cup of tea and a fall-scented candle.
Even though I've been reading these for many years, each time I come back I'm equally creeped and surprised as if I do not know the ending to each story.
The atmosphere is unparalleled.
Read it during dusk time along with a cup of tea and a fall-scented candle.
January 25, 2020
Let's see, overall enjoyable, these stories are somehow sinister and ridiculous at the same time, but uneven...
Tell-tale heart -4.5* but 5* for nostalgia & satisfaction that a guilty conscience is the downfall of even the most twisted mind, but really
The mask of the red death - 0* for me. I couldn't follow it. I think I'd have to read it in a physical book and look up some info
The black cat - 4.5*+ I don't know why this story is not more famous, I guess the tell tale heart is more appealing, but they're centered on the same theme of guilt and the past coming back to haunt you. There's the added element of schadenfreude when the killer shows off to the cops, which is his downfall.
The Raven, 3.5* but 4*+ for nostalgia, I actually preferred it when I was in high school. Probably because the teacher explains some of the symbolism and there were questions that made me think about it, but the rhythm of the poem is still moving
The cask of Amontillado 3.75*, basically the same reaction as the Raven, but with the addition of annoyance (in a good way) at Montrésor for being an unreliable narrator, what did Fortunato do? Are either of them really resting in peace at the end?
Berenice 2*, like the red death, I had a hard time following and might read it in physical form.
Tell-tale heart -4.5* but 5* for nostalgia & satisfaction that a guilty conscience is the downfall of even the most twisted mind, but really
The mask of the red death - 0* for me. I couldn't follow it. I think I'd have to read it in a physical book and look up some info
The black cat - 4.5*+ I don't know why this story is not more famous, I guess the tell tale heart is more appealing, but they're centered on the same theme of guilt and the past coming back to haunt you. There's the added element of schadenfreude when the killer shows off to the cops, which is his downfall.
The Raven, 3.5* but 4*+ for nostalgia, I actually preferred it when I was in high school. Probably because the teacher explains some of the symbolism and there were questions that made me think about it, but the rhythm of the poem is still moving
The cask of Amontillado 3.75*, basically the same reaction as the Raven, but with the addition of annoyance (in a good way) at Montrésor for being an unreliable narrator, what did Fortunato do? Are either of them really resting in peace at the end?
Berenice 2*, like the red death, I had a hard time following and might read it in physical form.
April 4, 2019
Edgar Allan Poe is a master of storytelling. A wordsmith. I couldn't keep a few shivers from racing down my spine while I read these. My favorite is 'The Raven". I felt bad for the cat in The Black Cat. The poor feline was tortured...his torturer deserved what he got.
March 1, 2021
There's a moment in all horror movies just before the ghost or the demon or the ghoul or what have you reveals itself - when the music starts to build and the little girl is walking in a dark, narrow corridor with flickering lights and loud breaths. This is where the stories by Poe lie. To a modern reader, the plot may not be as appealing because each one of these plots is now 'mainstream'. What appeals to me in these stories is Poe's setting of the characters and where the horror truly lies. An erratic drunk himself, Poe provides a sense of authenticity to his characters - their fears and insecurities and addictions. Poe's horror, I think, is not in any demon or ghost, but in the protagonist itself.
October 13, 2018
I listened to this collection from LibriVox.com. I started off listening to a different collection, then switched to this one, by a reader I have enjoyed in the past.
I liked some of these stories better than others.
The TellTale Heart: Of course I've heard this story many times, but I realize now that this was the first time I had read the actual unabridged story.
The Masque of the Red Death: I wasn't impressed.
The Black Cat: I liked this one the best.
The Raven: I didn't care much for this reading.
The Cask of Amontillado: Pretty good.
Berenice: I wasn't impressed.
I liked some of these stories better than others.
The TellTale Heart: Of course I've heard this story many times, but I realize now that this was the first time I had read the actual unabridged story.
The Masque of the Red Death: I wasn't impressed.
The Black Cat: I liked this one the best.
The Raven: I didn't care much for this reading.
The Cask of Amontillado: Pretty good.
Berenice: I wasn't impressed.
April 12, 2020
I really loved these stories! I already knew and loved The Telltale Heart, and I'd read The Black Cat before as well, but the others were new to me. The Raven was a poetic masterpiece. The Red Death was very close to home in today's circumstances. I wasn't a huge fan of Berenice but I did like the creepy discussion about teeth it ended on. All in all, the audiobook recording was great and I loved most of the stories!
May 6, 2017
Edgar Allen Poe's writing never disappoints. His pieces have always called to me and were always intriguing. Poe was the highlight of my 8th and 9th-grade year. My favorite story of his is the Tell Tale Heart, the Raven a close 2nd. His writing is so unique and creepy at times. Even not knowing how Poe died himself is interesting.
September 29, 2020
3 stars because of The black cat and The tell tale heart, they were easy to follow .Listened to audiobook on Librivox and the narrator is a 5 star, but the other tales especially the second was tough to follow.
September 19, 2017
Really well read by Phil Chenevert. The Black Cat is my favourite.
October 3, 2018
I really liked the story about the black cat. It made me laugh twice so I don’t know if that makes me a bad person...
Read
September 7, 2019Too short
March 23, 2020
LibriVox Audio-book: Excellent narration
The plot ideas were interesting but the stories were by no means exciting.
The plot ideas were interesting but the stories were by no means exciting.
July 2, 2020
Listened to, more than likely I will not read.
January 29, 2021
Creepy indeed! My first GO at Mr. Poe. The power of sounds to create emotions - mesmerising!
March 22, 2021
The stories weren't as creepy as I thought but I genuinely enjoyed them, specially the raven ❤️ it was my favourite one.
April 18, 2021
Listen rather than "read"
June 23, 2021
Six creepy tales - Edgar Allan Poe
I absolutely loved these short stories, The raven is my favorite and I want to listen to them all again.
I would recommend these stories to everyone. ☠️
I absolutely loved these short stories, The raven is my favorite and I want to listen to them all again.
I would recommend these stories to everyone. ☠️
Displaying 1 - 30 of 57 reviews