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Steampunk: Poe
If you combined clockwork gears, parasols, and air balloons with Edgar Allan Poe, what would you get? Steampunk: Poe! This is the first collection ever of Poe stories illustrated with the influence of steampunk. Running Press Teens has selected some of the most popular, thrilling, and memorable stories and poems by the classic 19th century American writer whose literary talent continues to open the mind to countless interpretations.
Every Poe story and poem is fully illustrated with steampunk-inspired art—from 1920s aviation gear to elaborate musical instruments—creating a fresh perspective on his work containing bizarre characters of madmen and mystery. Just in time for Halloween, Steampunk: Poe is the perfect classic horror choice with a haunting steampunk twist!
Contents:
Introduction
STORIES:
The Masque of the Red Death (1842)
The Tell-Tale Heart (1843)
The Fall of the House of Usher (1839)
The Murders in the Rue Morgue (1841)
The Balloon-Hoax (1844)
The Spectacles (1844)
The System of Doctor Tarr and Professor Fether (1845)
POEMS:
The Raven (1845)
To Helen (1848)
The City in the Sea (1831)
A Dream Within a Dream (1849)
The Conqueror Worm (1843)
The Bells (1849)
Every Poe story and poem is fully illustrated with steampunk-inspired art—from 1920s aviation gear to elaborate musical instruments—creating a fresh perspective on his work containing bizarre characters of madmen and mystery. Just in time for Halloween, Steampunk: Poe is the perfect classic horror choice with a haunting steampunk twist!
Contents:
Introduction
STORIES:
The Masque of the Red Death (1842)
The Tell-Tale Heart (1843)
The Fall of the House of Usher (1839)
The Murders in the Rue Morgue (1841)
The Balloon-Hoax (1844)
The Spectacles (1844)
The System of Doctor Tarr and Professor Fether (1845)
POEMS:
The Raven (1845)
To Helen (1848)
The City in the Sea (1831)
A Dream Within a Dream (1849)
The Conqueror Worm (1843)
The Bells (1849)
263 pages, Hardcover
First published November 1, 1849
30 people are currently reading
1514 people want to read
About the author
Edgar Allan Poe
11k books28k 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 76 reviews
abandoned
July 16, 2014I quite like Poe's writing, and I enjoyed the art, but the two never seemed to amplify one another. I'll just finish reading his works as text only.
Library copy.
Library copy.
November 16, 2011
First thing i'd like to mention is that this book is NOT by Megan Bryant. It is actually illustrated by Zdenko Basic and Manuel Sumberac, and the stories and poems are obviously written by Edgar Allen Poe, which brings me to my next point. How awesome is this book?!! To bring these Poe classics together with steampunk illustrations was genius. They go together perfectly!! I 100% agree that his works transcend their own times, and I think this was the perfect way to show everyone that. Reading this also really made me want to go back and read all of Poe's other works again as well, which is another reason why I really love and recommend this book, because it got me excited about this author all over again, and that is what all books should at least attempt to accomplish!
Now it is very rare that I give a book 5 stars, but this one is definately pushing that barrier. 4.95 for sure! :D
Now it is very rare that I give a book 5 stars, but this one is definately pushing that barrier. 4.95 for sure! :D
December 30, 2012
If you combined clockwork gears, parasols, and air balloons with Edgar Allan Poe, what would you get? Steampunk: Poe ! This is the first collection ever of Poe stories illustrated with the influence of steampunk. Running Press Teens has selected some of the most popular, thrilling, and memorable stories and poems by the classic 19th century American writer whose literary talent continues to open the mind to countless interpretations. Every Poe story and poems is fully illustrated with steampunk-inspired art-from 1920s aviation gear to elaborate musical instruments-creating a fresh perspective on his work containing bizarre characters of madmen and mystery. Just in time for Halloween, Steampunk: Poe is the perfect classic horror choice with a haunting steampunk twist!
August 23, 2012
So, even if I didn't like the illustratrions and whole Steampunk things, I would still love it just for Poe's tales and poems (mainlly the poems, since I hadn't read anything from his poetry works).
But hey, I actually really enjoyed everything! The pictures were really great in illustrating the madness and excentricity in his stories. It was really cool how there were some characters and elements that appeared in more than one of his works, kind of like they were linking.
Also loved how they made a point: Edgar Allan Poe transcends generations! There are still people (even young people, like me!)who adores the darkness, suspense, horror and imagination in everything he writes.
But hey, I actually really enjoyed everything! The pictures were really great in illustrating the madness and excentricity in his stories. It was really cool how there were some characters and elements that appeared in more than one of his works, kind of like they were linking.
Also loved how they made a point: Edgar Allan Poe transcends generations! There are still people (even young people, like me!)who adores the darkness, suspense, horror and imagination in everything he writes.
December 25, 2012
Thanks to the kiwi book lovers GR group - I got to pick my own prize and this is what I chose. It is stunning. A mix of short stories (some I have read before, others I was not familiar with) and poems. The illustrations are steampunk-fabulous.
August 2, 2017
Booktube-a-thon challenge: Read 7 books.
Challenge 17: Read a steampunk book.
Several of Poe's short stories and a few of his poems with steampunk pictures interspersed throughout. I think The Spectacles story was my favorite because it was so different from the others and quite funny rather than macabre. I also loved The Raven poem, of course, but also quite liked one called, The Bells and A Dream Within a Dream.
Challenge 17: Read a steampunk book.
Several of Poe's short stories and a few of his poems with steampunk pictures interspersed throughout. I think The Spectacles story was my favorite because it was so different from the others and quite funny rather than macabre. I also loved The Raven poem, of course, but also quite liked one called, The Bells and A Dream Within a Dream.
December 23, 2024
I always wanted dto read some Poe and this seemed like the perfect opportunity since I am a great fan of Steampunk. His writing takes you away and you feel as though you are in the story, seeing everything as it happens and the stories are short, with so much description and emotion. As are the poems, without the frills. Quote a sweet little book (I wish I had the hard copy, it may be more enjoyable), and one I will treasure.
January 15, 2019
I didn't know Poe wrote short stories before reading this book and would highly recommend you read them. My favourite was The Murders in the Rue Morgue, which is a murder mystery that feels so much like a Sherlock Holmes story. I wouldn't be surprised if this story inspired Sir Arthur Doyle. The pictures are nice too.
May 5, 2020
Short story collections... I always have a hard time rating these. Poe’s writing is definitely unique and always has that undertone that tells you something isn’t quite right. I love that about him. The illustrations in this particular collection were fantastic and added something new to these old stories. So if you like Poe and you’re into steampunk I say go for it!
dnf
August 8, 2020I couldn't finish this book, I was on page 76 of The Murders In The Rue Morgue and just lost track of the story. I read the poems at the back of the book didn't mind A Dream Within A Dream.
I'm going to have to say Poe is not for me.
I'm going to have to say Poe is not for me.
Read
April 19, 2022I love Edgar Allen Poe’s work, so no complaints about the text. The illustrations really didn’t add anything, were sporadic, and only mildly applicable at times. I like the concept a lot, but the execution was so so. Borrowed it from the library and would not purchase.
April 18, 2023
Not exactly what I thought it was. These are Edgar Allan Poe stories and poems that have been given illustrations that are supposed to be steampunk in style. The art was interesting, though not a particular style of Steampunk I'm favorable to.
July 8, 2017
Beautiful artwork that complements Poe's stories and poems.
July 28, 2017
A wonderful collection of Poe's works, with illustrations that have a macabre steampunk vibe. I recommend it highly.
September 2, 2018
I enjoyed the illustrations and I thought this book was entertaining when you're bored.
December 2, 2019
It was October, time to delve into the dark quarters of our world. Poe is Poe! Poe is wonderful. Poe with SteamPunk art is even better.
April 17, 2020
Just Poe with some illustrated steampunk graphics which are pretty cool. Read The Raven, To Helen and Murders in the Rue Morgue.
August 28, 2023
Steampunk AND Poe!!! Such a great combo!
December 6, 2023
The book is the complete works of Edgar Allan Poe, but the illustrations and packaging make this one of the most beautiful books I’ve seen. Perfect for gifting a Poe fan.
October 17, 2021
I must admit I ended up DNF thins book. I just could not get past the formal old style of writing. I tried reading 3 stories and several poems but just found myself not enjoying the reading. I gave this a 3 star because the steampunk illustrations were wonderful. I found myself lingering over the drawings and really seeing them relate to the stories Poe wrote. If you enjoy the classics and Poe this is a book worth checking out
February 5, 2013
This book caught my eye in the teen section of our library several months back and I was immediately intrigued. I kind of love me some Edgar Allan - and my introduction to Steampunk last Christmas (of 2011) wasn't too bad either.
If you're unfamiliar with the idea of Steampunk, it's a little different. Wikipedia defines Steampunk as
"a sub-genre of science fiction that typically features steam-powered machinery, especially in a setting inspired by industrialized Western civilization during the 19th century. Therefore, steampunk works are often set in an alternative history of the 19th century's British Victorian era or American "Wild West", in a post-apocalyptic future during which steam power has regained mainstream use, or in a fantasy world that similarly employs steam power. Steampunk perhaps most recognizably features anachronistic technologies or retro-futuristic inventions as people in the 19th century might have envisioned them, and is likewise rooted in the era's perspective on fashion, culture, architectural style, and art.
According to the jacket copy of Steampunk Poe, this is described as "a marriage between Edgar Allan Poe and Steampunk, the likes of which may surprise admirers of both writer and genre. Of course, there will be some who have always believed that gothic madmen and clockwork gears were destined to make brilliant companions. Inside, the classic works of Edgar Allan Poe are presented in their original form, with the dark tales of horror and mystery heightened by equally dark and mysterious Steampunk illustrations."
The short stories contained within include Poe's classics "The Masque of the Red Death," "The Tell-Tale Heart," "The Fall of the House of Usher," "The Murders in the Rue Morgue," "The Balloon-Hoax," "The Spectacles," and "The System of Doctor Tarr and Professor Fether." Of the poems, we have "The Raven," "To Helen," "The City in the Sea," "A Dream Within a Dream," "The Conqueror Worm," and "The Bells."
I was relieved to see that Poe's stories and poems were kept to their original form. Every so often you hear about some publisher wanting to modernize some classic or another, and I thought this was going to be something along those lines. Thankfully, it wasn't. This was especially good because, while I liked the steampunk elements in the illustrations, several of the Poe stories and poems were new to me (or ones that I needed a refresher in, since I probably hadn't read them since high school or before).
This is an entertaining book (although it is much heavier in weight than it looks!). The illustrations are quirky and and fun, and the stories give the reader just the right amount of Poe that is perfect for a cold winter's night (or, even better, around Halloween). I could see where this would be appealing for young adults and hopefully entice them to explore more of Poe's work.
If you're unfamiliar with the idea of Steampunk, it's a little different. Wikipedia defines Steampunk as
"a sub-genre of science fiction that typically features steam-powered machinery, especially in a setting inspired by industrialized Western civilization during the 19th century. Therefore, steampunk works are often set in an alternative history of the 19th century's British Victorian era or American "Wild West", in a post-apocalyptic future during which steam power has regained mainstream use, or in a fantasy world that similarly employs steam power. Steampunk perhaps most recognizably features anachronistic technologies or retro-futuristic inventions as people in the 19th century might have envisioned them, and is likewise rooted in the era's perspective on fashion, culture, architectural style, and art.
According to the jacket copy of Steampunk Poe, this is described as "a marriage between Edgar Allan Poe and Steampunk, the likes of which may surprise admirers of both writer and genre. Of course, there will be some who have always believed that gothic madmen and clockwork gears were destined to make brilliant companions. Inside, the classic works of Edgar Allan Poe are presented in their original form, with the dark tales of horror and mystery heightened by equally dark and mysterious Steampunk illustrations."
The short stories contained within include Poe's classics "The Masque of the Red Death," "The Tell-Tale Heart," "The Fall of the House of Usher," "The Murders in the Rue Morgue," "The Balloon-Hoax," "The Spectacles," and "The System of Doctor Tarr and Professor Fether." Of the poems, we have "The Raven," "To Helen," "The City in the Sea," "A Dream Within a Dream," "The Conqueror Worm," and "The Bells."
I was relieved to see that Poe's stories and poems were kept to their original form. Every so often you hear about some publisher wanting to modernize some classic or another, and I thought this was going to be something along those lines. Thankfully, it wasn't. This was especially good because, while I liked the steampunk elements in the illustrations, several of the Poe stories and poems were new to me (or ones that I needed a refresher in, since I probably hadn't read them since high school or before).
This is an entertaining book (although it is much heavier in weight than it looks!). The illustrations are quirky and and fun, and the stories give the reader just the right amount of Poe that is perfect for a cold winter's night (or, even better, around Halloween). I could see where this would be appealing for young adults and hopefully entice them to explore more of Poe's work.
April 27, 2012
I was soooo extremely ecstatic when I walked into my library and spotted this book! I first noticed it on Goodreads and thought that it would turn out to be one of those books I'd admire from afar but would never get the chance to get my hands on. Little did I know that someone out there saw fit to supply my local library with a copy, making me happy and hopefully introducing others to Poe's work through the wonderful illustrations, as steampunk is so popular right now. Though I never would have thought the two would go together.
I have a sort of love/hate relationship with Edgar Allen Poe because I either really enjoy his stories and poems or detest them entirely. And I have no idea why this is. The same was true for this collection; I'd already read a handful before, but wanted to re-experience them complete with the pictures, anyway. Sometimes the images fit in wonderfully, making it all the more gruesome or mysterious. At other times I think that it would have been better had other scenes been selected for illustration because the panels didn't fit in quite as well.
I found a few new favorite works by Poe, as well as had the opportunity to revisit some old ones. There were a few that I was very, very tempted to abandon and skim through . . . But I managed to resist that impulse. This book took me longer to read than I thought that it would because of that.
I'd recommend this book for fans of classic horror stories, Edgar Allen Poe (obviously), steampunk, pictures, literature, classics . . .
WOEFULLY INTRIGUING. 3/5 stars
(Or should I say . . . Poe-fully? Heh.)
I have a sort of love/hate relationship with Edgar Allen Poe because I either really enjoy his stories and poems or detest them entirely. And I have no idea why this is. The same was true for this collection; I'd already read a handful before, but wanted to re-experience them complete with the pictures, anyway. Sometimes the images fit in wonderfully, making it all the more gruesome or mysterious. At other times I think that it would have been better had other scenes been selected for illustration because the panels didn't fit in quite as well.
I found a few new favorite works by Poe, as well as had the opportunity to revisit some old ones. There were a few that I was very, very tempted to abandon and skim through . . . But I managed to resist that impulse. This book took me longer to read than I thought that it would because of that.
I'd recommend this book for fans of classic horror stories, Edgar Allen Poe (obviously), steampunk, pictures, literature, classics . . .
WOEFULLY INTRIGUING. 3/5 stars
(Or should I say . . . Poe-fully? Heh.)
May 31, 2014
Steampunk Poe is a sumptuous collection of stories and poems by Edgar Allan Poe effectively illustrated by Zdenko Basic and Manuel Numberac with images influenced by steampunk. This edition showcases a variety of Poe stories--from the well-known "Murders in the Rue Morgue" to the more rarely anthologized "The Spectacles" and "The Balloon Hoax" and ornaments each one with steampunk-inspired artwork featuring elaborate clockwork aviation, cyborg-like evil eyes (a la "The Tell-Tale Heart"), truly phantasmagorical spectres of the Red Death and Roderick Usher's sister, and so much more.
Poe may have written long before steampunk became a major force in fiction, but never has a classic author's work been so perfectly fitted for a steampunk makeover. The illustrations provide a haunting new twist to the grandmaster of mystery and the bizarre. My favorites include the illustrations for "The Masque of the Red Death" and "The Fall of the House of Usher." It was also refreshing to read new-to-me stories: "The Spectacles" and "The Balloon Hoax." My only complaint--and the reason for four stars and not five--is that there are too few illustrations. Having gone to the trouble to provide us with an entirely new slant on Poe's work, I would have hoped for more examples of that view.
First posted on my blog My Reader's Block. Please request permission before reposting. Thanks.
Poe may have written long before steampunk became a major force in fiction, but never has a classic author's work been so perfectly fitted for a steampunk makeover. The illustrations provide a haunting new twist to the grandmaster of mystery and the bizarre. My favorites include the illustrations for "The Masque of the Red Death" and "The Fall of the House of Usher." It was also refreshing to read new-to-me stories: "The Spectacles" and "The Balloon Hoax." My only complaint--and the reason for four stars and not five--is that there are too few illustrations. Having gone to the trouble to provide us with an entirely new slant on Poe's work, I would have hoped for more examples of that view.
First posted on my blog My Reader's Block. Please request permission before reposting. Thanks.
November 1, 2011
I'm not sure I really can count this into the 100 books I've read in 2011, since in all truth, I only skimmed it. However, I have read these stories before...and they are not really all that changed by the addition of steampunk illustrations.
The illustrations did add to the stories, but truthfully I much enjoyed reading them without any distractions from the descriptive text weaving the scenes in my own imagination. Although the art was good, I guess I just was not a huge fan of the style. To me it wasn't steampunk so much as...gothic. My idea of steampunk is a lot grittier, with less striped socks. And although I do like my steampunk to feature some goggles...not everyone needs to wear them all the time.
Overall I thought the steampunk aspect of the book was more forced than natural and although I'm sure it would appeal to those who had not been introduced to Poe previously I'd say anyone who is familiar with his work needn't bother with this illustrated steampunked version. Somewhat like "Pride and Prejudice and Zombies" it was more gimmick than substance.
The illustrations did add to the stories, but truthfully I much enjoyed reading them without any distractions from the descriptive text weaving the scenes in my own imagination. Although the art was good, I guess I just was not a huge fan of the style. To me it wasn't steampunk so much as...gothic. My idea of steampunk is a lot grittier, with less striped socks. And although I do like my steampunk to feature some goggles...not everyone needs to wear them all the time.
Overall I thought the steampunk aspect of the book was more forced than natural and although I'm sure it would appeal to those who had not been introduced to Poe previously I'd say anyone who is familiar with his work needn't bother with this illustrated steampunked version. Somewhat like "Pride and Prejudice and Zombies" it was more gimmick than substance.
September 8, 2012
I love Poe and I was very weary of this book. To me Poe is the quintessential American Gothic writer, and while I certainly can see how perfect his stories would be to draw inspiration for the Steampunk genre, both in literature and art, I was deathly afraid they altered his stories. Can you imagine clockwork men emerging from the cask of Amontillado? The horror!
But no, this book is really wonderful. The introduction reads, "From Edgar's interest in technological advancements like hot-air balloons in The Balloon Hoax to his elaborate descriptions of ornate architecture and lavish fashion in The Fall of the House of Usher, The Spectacles, and The Masque of the Red Death, the many charms of steampunk also serve as hallmarks of his writing." The book has selections of Poe's actual stories and and poems and pairs them with absolutely beautiful steampunk artwork which give a new, and fresh, perspective on this already well-loved classic author.
But no, this book is really wonderful. The introduction reads, "From Edgar's interest in technological advancements like hot-air balloons in The Balloon Hoax to his elaborate descriptions of ornate architecture and lavish fashion in The Fall of the House of Usher, The Spectacles, and The Masque of the Red Death, the many charms of steampunk also serve as hallmarks of his writing." The book has selections of Poe's actual stories and and poems and pairs them with absolutely beautiful steampunk artwork which give a new, and fresh, perspective on this already well-loved classic author.
December 3, 2016
As a fan of both Steam punk and Edgar Allen Poe, you can imagine, how geeked out I was by the discovery of this Illustrated volume in the steampunk classics series.
The illustrations were gloriously macabre, well befitting of Poe's Gothic style. While the illustrations added atmosphere and life to Poe's oft repeated works, placing the name Steampunk in front of his name was the real eye opener.
Had Edgar Allen Poe written the same stories today, he would have been classified as a steam punk author. That is how steam punk this collection is. Everything from crossing the Atlantic in an airship to goggles that reveal truth to a love blind fool. E.A. Poe must be considered one of the fathers of steam Punk. Had I not myself been blinded by the label, 'Classic lit,' I would have noticed it sooner.
My thanks to this series for opening my eyes to the world of Victorian written steam punk fiction. After all who better to write it, they lived it.
The illustrations were gloriously macabre, well befitting of Poe's Gothic style. While the illustrations added atmosphere and life to Poe's oft repeated works, placing the name Steampunk in front of his name was the real eye opener.
Had Edgar Allen Poe written the same stories today, he would have been classified as a steam punk author. That is how steam punk this collection is. Everything from crossing the Atlantic in an airship to goggles that reveal truth to a love blind fool. E.A. Poe must be considered one of the fathers of steam Punk. Had I not myself been blinded by the label, 'Classic lit,' I would have noticed it sooner.
My thanks to this series for opening my eyes to the world of Victorian written steam punk fiction. After all who better to write it, they lived it.
October 8, 2015
Poe's works don't always do it for me - some I love, some I'm "meh" about and still others I hate so very much because I was forced to study them in detail in school. This volume includes all three, and some of the poems.
When I first saw the title, I thought someone had mashed up Poe with the steampunk genre, much as people have mashed up Austen with zombies. Very happy I was wrong, because steampunk is one of those genres that I just don't get (I do know many people love it, even to the point of dressing in steampunk fashion kind of like Ren Faire devotees). The steampunk part here is the illustrations and they definitely work! My biggest complaint was that there were too few... I kept thinking, what about a graphic novel steampunk-illustred Poe?
Copy provided by publisher.
When I first saw the title, I thought someone had mashed up Poe with the steampunk genre, much as people have mashed up Austen with zombies. Very happy I was wrong, because steampunk is one of those genres that I just don't get (I do know many people love it, even to the point of dressing in steampunk fashion kind of like Ren Faire devotees). The steampunk part here is the illustrations and they definitely work! My biggest complaint was that there were too few... I kept thinking, what about a graphic novel steampunk-illustred Poe?
Copy provided by publisher.
March 3, 2015
I am definitely in the minority here but I mostly hated this book. It was absolutely not what I expected. There was nothing Steampunky about it really. Just a reprinting of Poe's stories with steampunkish pictures added. Don't get me wrong, I liked the pictures but they weren't really what I consider steampunk.
I remember reading some Poe when I was younger and I thought I liked it but after reading this book, I wonder what all the hype is about. Poe's writing is a terrible, rambling, flowery mess. For most of it, I had to read twice just to figure out WTH he was trying to say. I guess this is how they spoke and wrote in the late 1800 but my God what crap. The prose just rambles on and eventually gets to a point (many many pages later). Reading this book was torturous as all the stories are in the first person and one just flows into the next.
I remember reading some Poe when I was younger and I thought I liked it but after reading this book, I wonder what all the hype is about. Poe's writing is a terrible, rambling, flowery mess. For most of it, I had to read twice just to figure out WTH he was trying to say. I guess this is how they spoke and wrote in the late 1800 but my God what crap. The prose just rambles on and eventually gets to a point (many many pages later). Reading this book was torturous as all the stories are in the first person and one just flows into the next.
November 25, 2012
Auweek! Poe is creepy. Pretty much all of his short stories are horrifyingly violent and disturbing and dark. That being said, his poems have a beautiful flow to them and he captures the feeling horror pretty much perfectly. He's a great writer, he really is. Just... not for me. No, I don't like quite that level of darkness.
The steampunk inspired pictures, however, deserve about a four. The style was interesting, the colours good, and it certainly suited Poe's stories. I wish there had been more pictures, really!
But now, I'm going to try to forget about girls being buried alive, old women being graphically murdered with razors (their daughters being stuffed up chimneys,) schizophrenic mad-men murdering people on account of eyes, and ravens. Farewell, Poe, our short relationship has come to an end.
The steampunk inspired pictures, however, deserve about a four. The style was interesting, the colours good, and it certainly suited Poe's stories. I wish there had been more pictures, really!
But now, I'm going to try to forget about girls being buried alive, old women being graphically murdered with razors (their daughters being stuffed up chimneys,) schizophrenic mad-men murdering people on account of eyes, and ravens. Farewell, Poe, our short relationship has come to an end.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 76 reviews