From the Bookshelf of Never too Late to Read Classics…

The Black Cat

Edgar Allan Poe

Start date: October 1, 2020

Finish date: October 31, 2020

Discussion: Lesser Know Classics

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What Members Thought

Mar 16, 2010 Manybooks rated it it was ok

Shelves: mysteries, cats, classics, book-reviews, horror

Having read Poe's classic in junior high school (grade eight English) when we were doing an entire term on diverse British and American mystery and thrillers (from the 19th to the middle of the 20th century), I should probably be rereading this tale thoroughly before posting a review, as I do not remember all that much except that The Black Cat is well crafted, engagingly descriptive, but also and nevertheless so horribly creepy and frightening that it actually gave me some rather major nightmar Having read Poe's classic in junior high school (grade eight English) when we were doing an entire term on diverse British and American mystery and thrillers (from the 19th to the middle of the 20th century), I should probably be rereading this tale thoroughly before posting a review, as I do not remember all that much except that The Black Cat is well crafted, engagingly descriptive, but also and nevertheless so horribly creepy and frightening that it actually gave me some rather major nightmares as a teenager. The Black Cat was therefore not all that enjoyable a reading experience for me, especially since I did not even have the option of abandoning the story, as was required and assigned class reading and we were likely being tested on it (and I do rather vividly remember that the cruelty, the nastiness that the poor cat experiences while alive, was one of the major if not the main reason for my nightmare dreams, for my angst, and although I did much appreciate that the abusive, drink maddened tormentor ended up receiving his just due at the end, the freakiness of the "dead" cat coming back, of the tormentor becoming the tormented, did not make the tale itself, did not really make The Black Cat any more enjoyable or less terrifyng, in fact, it but increased my level of discomfort and pain).

And because I do still tend to get weird dreams and nightmares when and upon reading creepy and/or frightening stories (and especially if they feature abused or absurd animal characters), I have now firmly decided NOT to ever reread The Black Cat. I can and do appreciate the verbal mastery of this tale (especially and appreciatingly Poe's style and wordcraft) but the themes, the entire premise of The Black Cat are simply not all that personally enjoyable and much too uncanny, even potentialy terrifying for my tastes (and honestly, there are simply too many books languishing on my to read and even my currently reading shelves which are begging to be read, reviewed and well, I just do not desire to spend any more of my time on a story that will more than probably once again stress my emotions and needlessly frighten me). I guess, I just do NOT much like horror, even if said horror fiction is rightfully considered a classic (and hence, but two stars for The Black Cat as truth be told, I simply do not like and often cannot even handle horror stories and indeed even horror stories where in the end, justice is appropriately served). ...more

17 likes · Like · see review

Sep 06, 2020 Brenda rated it really liked it

I am new to Poe, and normally don’t go out of my way for horror/macabre which is how I always thought of Poe, but I want to expand my reading horizons. Fall is near, so I’m throwing in a few books like this for seasonal effect.

It is a bit of a grizzly tale, and suspenseful, as I was not expecting the ending. What I really liked about this was the psychological aspects introduced by drink. I think Poe really gave a turbulent picture in a short time of how excesses of alcohol can disturb and torm ...more

10 likes · Like · see review

Oct 15, 2009 Laura rated it liked it

Shelves: audio-books, suspense-thriller, read-2009

Available at LibriVox. The stories are becoming better now.

3 likes · Like · see review

Jan 24, 2024 midnightfaerie rated it liked it

Shelves: literature, horror, classics

Another horrific read by Poe. Our narrator's treatment of animals is atrocious and the black cat he owns seems to get revenge in his own way. As our narrator's illness and drinking progress, he mistreats his animals more and more. Eventually he hangs his favorite cat and another follows him home. This second cat seems to look a lot like his first and more and more turns into a monster. Our narrator eventually turns on this cat as well, his hatred for the thing consuming him as he goes after him ...more

2 likes · Like · see review