Review: The Tell-Tale Heart
When Vance saw that I won The 13 Best Horror Stories of All Time, edited by Leslie Powell, he told me that I needed to read “The Tell-Tale Heart” by Edgar Allan Poe. It took me several months to get around to it, but I finally read it. The story is told by an unnamed narrator who repeatedly assures the reader that he is not mad. The narrator has decided to kill an old man, not for his money, or out of anger, but because the old man had a pale blue eye with a film over it.
The narrator was very kind to the old man the week leading up to the killing. He would sneak into the old man’s room every night around midnight for seven nights. On the eighth night he is able to see the old man’s “Evil Eye” so he kills him and dismembers him and hides his body below the floorboards.
You need to read the story to learn what the police find out when they visit. It is available online at The Poe Museum. This was my first experience with Poe and I certainly understand why his work has stood the test of time. I enjoyed it and would like to read more now. Even though this is a short story, I’m glad I had Vance to discuss it with after I read it.
I love Edgar Allan Poe stories. I read a lot of them as a child/teenager. It would be interesting to go back and revisit as an adult. I read Nia The Black Cat. I ahd to translate a lot of it, but she likes his stories. especially since they involve cats.
I remember reading “A Tell Tale Heart.” It really spooked me out. I loved the story. Thanks for commenting on this story.
I’m glad your first Poe experience was a good one. You should drop in on Kristen and I for Poe Fridays – it’s been fun!
I read a lot of Poe in college. Well crafted stories for sure. I saw the movie of the Tell Tale Heart once while in school and it was pretty good. I think several movies have been based on that story actually.
I had to read some Poe in high school, and it horrified me what was done to cats! So I couldn’t bring myself to read any more of his works, then.
Yeah, this is one of his best. Read “The Fall of the House of Usher,” “The Monkey’s Paw” and “The Pit and the Pendulum” too!
It’s good to be reminded of some of these old standards. It’s been so long since I read this one, I don’t even recall some of the details you mention. Guess that means it’s time to read it again!
I haven’t read any Edgar Allen Poe. I keep meaning to read The Fall of the House of Usher.
I really enjoyed this when I reread it a couple months ago (it’s been a long time since high school!). My plan is to read more Poe stories in the fall.
I haven’t read much Poe, but I have read this one in high school and remember it well
It’s been a while since I read Poe, but I remember they were quite spooky reads!
I love Poe. This is one of my favorites of his.
That’s a great prize. Poe’s amazing, isn’t he? Here in Baltimore — where Poe lived, won his first writing prize and died — there’s a year-long celebration of the 200th anniversary of his birth. For the twisted, it includes a “Cask of Amontillado” wine tasting in the church catacombs near his grave. You can read all of the Read Street posts about Poe, including author guest posts on his legacy at http://weblogs.baltimoresun.com/entertainment/books/blog/edgar_allan_poe/
I Love Poe and the Tell Tale Heart is one of my favorites! And because you’re so wonderful I’ve got an award for you here
http://stacybuckeye.wordpress.com/2009/05/30/awesome-awards/
His work is chilling and considering how long ago it was written, I think it measures up to anything today!
Poe was definitely one of the masters. I’ve read many of his works and this is one of the best!
I read this one a few times in school. I always liked it…. it is a masterpiece in writing.
I’ve always wanted to read his work, thanks for the link Kathy.
this is one of the first poe stories I read in grade-school if you can believe that. I remember being fascinated with his work for many years afterward…and then I discovered his poems.
glad you enjoyed this one.
I love Poe – a tragic figure who wrote some really classic horror fiction. I hope you read more!
I won that book last year too but I haven’t started it yet. I loved The Tell-Tale Heart as a kid though. I read it and then found a dramatized version on tape that I would listen to occasionally… yes, I was an odd kid.
i read this in i believe the eighth grade i thaught it was stange but i enjoyed it and liked it alot.