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Mellonta Tauta

Name: Mellonta Tauta
Price: 10.99 USD
Availability: InStock
ISBN: 9781447465874

✍️ Edgar Allan Poe

Reader Score

4.4

(1 review)

$10.99 ~~$13.00~~ Save $2.01 (15%)

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📚 WHAT THE BOOK IS ABOUT

A satirical 1849 letter collection by Edgar Allan Poe set in a future balloon flight.

This volume presents Poe's 1849 short story through the eyes of a female narrator on a balloon trip in 2848. She writes to a friend, contrasting current customs with those from a millennium ago. Her frequent misunderstandings of past traditions create a humorous and thought-provoking contrast. The edition includes a new biography of Poe, who is known for mystery and horror stories. It targets fans of his seminal work rather than general readers seeking pure terror.

Key Themes

future science historical customs balloon flight

Literary Context

Poe wrote this story in 1849. He was an American author, editor, poet, and critic who lived from 1809 to 1849. This edition by Obscure Press was published on 2012-11-08. It addresses the rarity of antiquarian books by offering an affordable reprint with a new biography.

Edgar Allan Poe

📚 all books by this author (764) →

Difficulty

● Easy

Recommended For Fans Of

Mary Shelley · Jonathan Swift · H.G. Wells · The Tell-Tale Heart

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Gothic

🏛 Obscure Press 📅 2012 📖 26 pages 🌐 English 📔 Paperback ISBN: 9781447465874

📝 Description: Mellonta Tauta

Edgar Allan Poe wrote Mellonta Tauta in 1849 as a short story that frames its narrative through letters. The text follows a woman traveling by balloon during the year 2848. She addresses these notes to a personal friend while observing the world around her. Her journey allows her to compare the science, philosophy, and customs of her time with those from a thousand years prior. This perspective often leads her to misinterpret historic ideas and traditions in ways that appear absurd to the reader. Poe was an American author, editor, poet, and critic who lived from 1809 to 1849. He is widely considered the inventor of the detective fiction genre and is famous for his stories of mystery and horror. This edition by Obscure Press includes a specially commissioned new biography of the author. The book contains affordable, high-quality text suitable for those interested in Poe's seminal work. It appeals to readers who enjoy satirical takes on future societies and historical misunderstandings. Those seeking straightforward horror or traditional detective tales may find this specific narrative structure less engaging. The publication date for this edition is 2012-11-08. The ISBN is 9781447465874. Antiquarian versions of such books are becoming increasingly rare and expensive. This release offers a practical way to access the text without the high costs associated with older prints. The story remains a worthy addition to any bookshelf for fans of Poe's unique style.

💎 Our verdict on Mellonta Tauta

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Horror Reads editorial team

Horror desk

This volume presents an intriguing departure from Poe’s typical atmospheric dread, favoring satire over terror. The narrative structure, framed through letters from a future balloonist, offers clever commentary on historical customs but may disappoint those seeking straightforward horror or classic detective narratives. The inclusion of a new biography adds scholarly value for dedicated enthusiasts. However, general readers looking for pure chills might find the tone too academic or whimsical. It is best suited for collectors and students of Poe’s broader literary impact rather than casual genre fans. The affordable pricing makes it a sensible acquisition for those wishing to understand the full scope of his creative output beyond his most famous macabre works.

✓ EDITOR'S REVIEW

📖 Why choose it

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Why this book is worth reading

Readers will gain a unique perspective on Edgar Allan Poe’s versatility beyond his traditional horror and mystery genres. This edition offers an accessible entry point into his lesser-known satirical work, highlighting his sharp wit and philosophical curiosity. The humorous misunderstandings of past traditions provide an engaging contrast to standard gothic tales. Those interested in the evolution of speculative fiction will appreciate the historical context provided by the new biography. It serves as a practical alternative to rare antiquarian prints, making Poe’s seminal ideas available without prohibitive costs. Fans of intellectual humor and literary history will find value in this thoughtful exploration of future societies and cultural shifts.

⭐ Reader reviews

The starting rating comes from the team Horror Reads —

⭐ HorrorReads editorial review Editorial rating 4.5/5

★★★★★

Readers fascinated by satirical science fiction, Victorian-era speculative thought, and Poe’s lesser-known prose styles will appreciate this ironic future-society critique. However, those expecting gothic terror, visceral horror, or classic detective mysteries should look elsewhere, as this text…

Reader rating

4.4

Based on 1 reviews

❓ Frequently asked questions

No. While Poe is famous for horror, this specific work is a satirical sci-fi narrative set in 2848. It focuses on social commentary and futuristic speculation rather than fear or supernatural elements.

This version from Obscure Press features high-quality typography and includes a newly commissioned biography of Poe, offering valuable context for his later years and creative evolution beyond his most famous works.

📖 Who should read this

📜 Historical context

Poe penned Mellonta Tauta near the end of his life, subverting his usual Gothic conventions by adopting a futuristic epistolary format. Unlike his famous tales of psychological decay, this piece utilizes satirical foresight to critique contemporary society through a lens of absurd historical misinterpretation. It stands as a unique bridge between early American horror and proto-science fiction, showcasing Poe’s versatility beyond the macabre into sharp, intellectual satire.