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Romances of Death and Old-World Romance - Collected Tales of Edgar Allan Poe — Gothic

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Romances of Death and Old-World Romance - Collected Tales of Edgar Allan Poe

Name: Romances of Death and Old-World Romance - Collected Tales of Edgar Allan Poe
Price: 21.99 USD
Availability: InStock
ISBN: 9781445559834

✍️ Edgar Allan Poe

Reader Score

4.6

(3 reviews)

$21.99 ~~$38.00~~ Save $16.01 (42%)

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📚 WHAT THE BOOK IS ABOUT

A curated collection of Poe's romantic tales and short stories with a new biography.

Edgar Allan Poe, recognized as one of the first American short story writers and the inventor of detective fiction, is presented here through his romantic narratives. This edition by Smith Press gathers diverse works ranging from psychological horror in "The Fall of the House of Usher" to philosophical exchanges in "The Colloquy of Monos and Una." The text includes "Bernice," "The Oval Portrait," and "Morella," highlighting Poe’s mastery of mood and atmosphere. The volume also contains "Eleonora," "The Assignment," and "The asque of the Red Death." By combining these stories with a fresh biography, the book offers context for Poe’s literary contributions. It appeals to those studying the development of American Gothic fiction. Readers looking for contemporary supernatural tales might find the vintage style less engaging.

Key Themes

romantic narratives detective fiction origins gothic atmosphere

Literary Context

Edgar Allan Poe (1809-1849) was an American author, editor, poet, and critic. This 2010 republication by Smith Press addresses the increasing rarity of such antiquarian books. It highlights his role in shaping early American short story traditions and mystery genres.

Edgar Allan Poe

📚 all books by this author (764) →

Difficulty

●●● Challenging

Recommended For Fans Of

H.P. Lovecraft · Mary Shelley · Sherlock Holmes · Nathaniel Hawthorne

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Gothic

🏛 Smith Press 📅 2010 📖 366 pages 🌐 English 📔 Paperback ISBN: 9781445559834

📚 This Book in Collections

🖤 Horror Romance & Dark Romance

📝 Description: Romances of Death and Old-World Romance - Collected Tales of Edgar Allan Poe

This volume presents a curated selection of Edgar Allan Poe’s romantic narratives, offering readers a focused look at his lesser-known works alongside his most famous tales. The collection includes "The Fall of the House of Usher," "Bernice," and "The Oval Portrait," providing insight into his exploration of mortality and obsession. Readers will also encounter stories such as "Morella," "Ligeia," and "Eleonora," which explore themes of love and loss through a gothic lens. The compilation extends to philosophical dialogues like "The Colloquy of Monos and Una" and "The Conversation of Eiros and Charmion," showcasing Poe’s versatility in genre. Smith Press has compiled these texts into an accessible format, including additional tales such as "The Power of Words," "Silence--A Fable," and "The Cask of Amontillado." The edition features a newly commissioned biography of the author, grounding the stories in their historical context. This book suits fans of classic American literature and those interested in the origins of detective fiction. It may not appeal to readers seeking modern horror or fast-paced thrillers. The inclusion of rare antiquarian texts makes this a valuable addition for collectors of vintage editions.

💎 Our verdict on Romances of Death and Old-World Romance - Collected Tales of Edgar Allan Poe

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Horror Reads editorial team

Horror desk

Smith Press delivers a thoughtful compilation that highlights Poe’s versatility, ranging from psychological horror to philosophical exchanges. The fresh biography grounds these romantic narratives effectively, making them accessible for studying the evolution of American literary traditions. However, this vintage style is not for everyone; readers craving fast-paced thrillers or contemporary supernatural tales may find the mood-heavy prose less engaging. While it serves fans of classic literature and origins of detective fiction well, it lacks the immediacy required by modern horror enthusiasts. The inclusion of rare texts adds value for collectors, but general readers should be prepared for a slower, more atmospheric experience that prioritizes depth over speed.

✓ EDITOR'S REVIEW

📖 Why choose it

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Why this book is worth reading

Readers seeking to understand the foundations of American Gothic fiction will find this collection indispensable. It offers a curated exploration of Poe’s mastery of mood, atmosphere, and obsession, particularly through tales like 'The Fall of the House of Usher' and 'Bernice.' The inclusion of a newly commissioned biography provides essential historical context for his literary contributions, appealing to students and scholars of the genre. Furthermore, collectors of vintage editions will appreciate the rare antiquarian texts included here. This edition is ideal for those interested in the origins of detective fiction or philosophical dialogues on mortality, though it may disappoint those expecting modern supernatural pacing or contemporary thriller elements.

⭐ Reader reviews

The starting rating comes from the team Horror Reads —

⭐ HorrorReads editorial review Editorial rating 4.5/5

★★★★★

Poe enthusiasts and gothic literature scholars will cherish this curated collection. It appeals to those exploring the roots of psychological terror and detective fiction. However, readers craving visceral modern horror or fast-paced contemporary thrillers may find these nineteenth-century…

Reader rating

4.6

Based on 3 reviews

Ivy H.

January 31, 2026

Exactly as described

Was skeptical at first. It pairs well with the classics it is clearly in conversation with. The binding held up to being carried around for a week. Shipping was quick too.

James A.

March 5, 2025

A friend from my book club recommended it. A few scenes I will not forget, whether I want to or not. Shipping was quick too.

❓ Frequently asked questions

While this collection focuses on narrative prose, it features essential tales such as 'The Fall of the House of Usher,' 'The Cask of Amontillado,' and 'The Oval Portrait,' offering a deep dive into his signature themes rather than his poetry.

Absolutely. The publisher has included a newly commissioned biography to ground the stories in their historical context, making it an accessible and informative entry point for those new to his complex and haunting literary world.

📖 Who should read this

📜 Historical context

Edgar Allan Poe stands as the patriarch of American gothic fiction, fundamentally shaping the genre’s exploration of the macabre. This volume highlights his unique ability to blend romantic idealism with psychological decay. By including both famous masterpieces and rare philosophical dialogues, it demonstrates how Poe moved beyond mere ghost stories to examine mortality, obsession, and the fragility of the human mind during the antebellum period.