The Fall of the House of Usher and Other Tales - Softcover

Edgar Allan Poe (1809 - 49), was born in Boston, USA. He was a short-story writer, editor and literary critic, and is considered part of the American Romantic Movement. Best known for his tales of mystery and the macabre, Poe was one of the earliest American practitioners of the short story and is considered the inventor the detective-fiction genre.

A fine collection of Poe's stories are selected here. Andrew Sachs does an excellent job of presenting each. He maintains the fine air of detachment at the beginning of each tale. Then, as each tale unfolds, he draws us in as Poe intended, making the full effect unsettling and in several cases chilling. Sachs speaks clearly and chooses few characterizations in the stories. There are numerous more dramatized readings of Poe's stories, but Sachs's straight-forward, intelligent presentation is an excellent choice for listeners who want unadorned narrative. R.F.W. (c)AudioFile, Portland, Maine