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The black cat/Le chat noir: Bilingual edition/Edition bilingue — Gothic

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The black cat/Le chat noir: Bilingual edition/Edition bilingue

Name: The black cat/Le chat noir: Bilingual edition/Edition bilingue
Price: 12.75 USD
Availability: InStock
ISBN: 9781532955235

✍️ Edgar Allan Poe

Reader Score

4.6

(3 reviews)

$12.75 ~~$20.00~~ Save $7.25 (36%)

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📚 WHAT THE BOOK IS ABOUT

A bilingual reprint of Poe's 1843 tale about a man who abuses his pets.

Edgar Allan Poe wrote this short story to explore the dark side of human nature through the lens of animal cruelty. The narrator begins with a love for creatures but slowly loses control, leading to violent acts. This edition offers the text in two languages, providing a unique reading experience for those studying translation or literature. The book contains only this one narrative, making it a focused entry in Poe’s bibliography. It is part of a broader collection of his known works and horror stories. The physical format is small, with forty-two pages dedicated to the tale. Readers interested in the history of American fiction will find value in this direct presentation of the text.

Key Themes

supernatural horror animal cruelty guilt and madness

Literary Context

Poe published this story in 1843 in The Saturday Evening Post. It is a key work in American gothic fiction. The tale reflects nineteenth-century literary traditions of the supernatural. This edition places it alongside other classic horror collections and complete works by the author.

Edgar Allan Poe

📚 all books by this author (764) →

Difficulty

● Easy

Recommended For Fans Of

H.P. Lovecraft · Shirley Jackson · Stephen King

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Gothic

🏛 Createspace Independent Publishing Platform 📅 2016 📖 42 pages 🌐 English 📔 Paperback ISBN: 9781532955235

📝 Description: The black cat/Le chat noir: Bilingual edition/Edition bilingue

This bilingual edition presents Edgar Allan Poe’s tale of a narrator whose affection for animals turns into perverse abuse. The text appears in both English and French, allowing readers to compare the original language with its translation. Poe is recognized as an American writer who first published this story in the August 19, 1843, edition of The Saturday Evening Post. The narrative follows an unnamed protagonist who initially loves his pets but later turns against them. This volume includes only this single short story, spanning forty-two pages. The book is organized as a standalone text without additional chapters or novellas. It draws on the tradition of American gothic fiction and supernatural horror. The catalog notes list it alongside other collections such as Best Horror Stories and Complete Tales and Poems of Edgar Allan Poe. This format suits readers interested in classic horror literature, bilingual study, or short fiction from the nineteenth century. It may not appeal to those seeking modern horror or longer novels. The story examines themes of guilt, madness, and animal cruelty. The narrator’s descent into violence is central to the plot. The bilingual layout supports language learners and literary scholars. Readers looking for a quick, intense read will find this compact volume suitable. Those expecting multiple stories should look elsewhere.

💎 Our verdict on The black cat/Le chat noir: Bilingual edition/Edition bilingue

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Horror Reads editorial team

Horror desk

However, it is strictly limited to this single short story, lacking the depth of larger collections like Complete Tales and Poems. Readers expecting modern horror styles or longer novels will find this historical text alienating. The small physical format may also feel insubstantial to those accustomed to substantial volumes. While valuable for scholars analyzing translation or nineteenth-century gothic traditions, casual readers seeking extensive content should look elsewhere. It is a specialized tool rather than a general entertainment piece, best suited for academic or comparative literary purposes.

✓ EDITOR'S REVIEW

📖 Why choose it

📖

Why this book is worth reading

Readers interested in the history of American fiction or those studying translation will find significant value in this compact volume. It offers a focused entry into Poe’s bibliography, presenting a single narrative without the distraction of additional novellas. The bilingual layout is particularly beneficial for language learners and literary scholars who wish to compare the original English text with its French counterpart. Those seeking a quick, intense read will appreciate the forty-two-page length, which delivers a concentrated experience of guilt and madness. It serves as an accessible introduction to classic horror literature, allowing readers to engage with Poe’s exploration of the dark side of human nature through a unique dual-language perspective.

⭐ Reader reviews

The starting rating comes from the team Horror Reads —

⭐ HorrorReads editorial review Editorial rating 4.5/5

★★★★★

Seekers of classic gothic dread will appreciate this psychological descent into madness. Ideal for students analyzing translation nuances or fans of Poe's early dark tales. Those craving modern jump scares, lengthy epics, or lighthearted whimsy should look elsewhere, as this is a dense, singular…

Reader rating

4.6

Based on 3 reviews

Andrew N.

June 30, 2026

A modern classic

Wanted something for October and it delivered. The ending is bleak and honest, not a twist for the sake of one. Read it in two sittings; the second one ran past midnight. Would buy from this store again.

Rachel V.

February 9, 2026

Needed a good scare and got one. Genuinely unsettling in places, and it earns it without cheap tricks. Slow burn, but the burn is the point. Definitely recommend.

❓ Frequently asked questions

No. This volume contains only 'The Black Cat' on its own, spanning forty-two pages without additional novellas or poems.

Not at all. The layout is designed for side-by-side comparison, allowing you to study linguistic nuances while maintaining narrative immersion in both languages.

📖 Who should read this

📜 Historical context

Published in 1843 within The Saturday Evening Post, this narrative stands as a cornerstone of American Gothic literature. It exemplifies Poe’s pioneering exploration of the supernatural intertwined with human psychology. By juxtaposing English and French texts, this edition highlights how translation shapes the chilling atmosphere, preserving the story's legacy as a seminal work in the tradition of nineteenth-century horror that influenced generations of writers.