-52%

The Complete Works of Edgar Allan Poe, Vol. VIII (in Ten Volumes): Criticisms — Gothic

The Complete Works of Edgar Allan Poe, Vol. VIII (in Ten Volumes): Criticisms — photo 1

The Complete Works of Edgar Allan Poe, Vol. VIII (in Ten Volumes): Criticisms — photo 2

The Complete Works of Edgar Allan Poe, Vol. VIII (in Ten Volumes): Criticisms — photo 3

📖 Have you read this book?

Your review can inspire others to read it

🏚️ Gothic −52%

The Complete Works of Edgar Allan Poe, Vol. VIII (in Ten Volumes): Criticisms

Name: The Complete Works of Edgar Allan Poe, Vol. VIII (in Ten Volumes): Criticisms
Price: 21.99 USD
Availability: InStock
ISBN: 9781605208619

✍️ Edgar Allan Poe

Reader Score

4.6

(3 reviews)

$21.99 ~~$46.00~~ Save $24.01 (52%)

In stock — ready to ship Ships in 1–2 business days

📚 WHAT THE BOOK IS ABOUT

Edgar Allan Poe's collected literary criticism from the nineteenth century.

The volume contains essays where Poe evaluates his peers and the state of American letters. He critiques writers like Cooper and Bryant while exposing the harsh realities of magazine editing. The work reflects his role as a pioneer in short fiction and detective genres. It provides context for his own creative output through direct commentary on contemporaries.

Key Themes

Literary criticism Magazine industry Nineteenth century authors

Literary Context

Poe lived from 1809 to 1849. He shaped American literature in the nineteenth century. This edition reproduces his critical writings, preserving his voice during a formative period for US fiction and poetry.

Edgar Allan Poe

📚 all books by this author (764) →

Difficulty

●●● Challenging

Recommended For Fans Of

Nathaniel Hawthorne · H.P. Lovecraft · Henry James · The Tell-Tale Heart

🏚️

Gothic

🏛 Cosimo Classics 📅 2009 🌐 English 📔 Paperback ISBN: 9781605208619

📝 Description: The Complete Works of Edgar Allan Poe, Vol. VIII (in Ten Volumes): Criticisms

This volume presents Edgar Allan Poe’s critical essays, offering a direct look at his literary judgments. Poe was an American poet, fiction writer, and literary critic who pioneered the short story and popularized romantic Gothic fiction in the United States during the nineteenth century. He also almost single-handedly invented the genre of detective fiction. This text allows readers to examine his opinions on contemporary authors and the publishing industry. The collection includes specific critiques such as "J. Fenimore Cooper" and "Amelia Welby." It also features "Some Secrets of the Magazine Prison-House," which discusses the constraints of periodical publication. Readers will find essays titled "Mr. Longfellow and Other Plagiarists" and "William Cullen Bryant." The series continues with "The Literati" in the next volume. These works draw on the traditions of American literary criticism from the mid-nineteenth century. This book suits scholars of American literature who wish to study Poe’s critical framework. It is less suitable for readers seeking only his famous tales of horror. The text relies on primary sources from the era rather than modern analysis. The content remains focused on the specific authors and topics Poe addressed in his original publications.

💎 Our verdict on The Complete Works of Edgar Allan Poe, Vol. VIII (in Ten Volumes): Criticisms

“

🩸

Horror Reads editorial team

Horror desk

This text is a specialized resource for those studying Poe’s role in inventing detective fiction and his impact on romantic Gothic fiction. It provides necessary context for his creative output through commentary on contemporaries like Longfellow and Bryant. However, it is less suitable for readers seeking only his famous tales of horror or true crime narratives. The content relies heavily on primary sources rather than accessible modern analysis. Those expecting narrative plot points will find this dry. It demands patience for historical literary criticism. Scholars will appreciate the rigorous evaluation of peers, but general fans may find the focus on magazine constraints and specific author critiques too academic for casual reading.

✓ EDITOR'S REVIEW

📖 Why choose it

📖

Why this book is worth reading

This collection serves scholars of American literature who wish to study Poe’s critical framework and the evolution of the short story genre. It is essential for those interested in the history of detective fiction, as it reveals the mind behind its invention. Readers gain insight into the constraints of the magazine industry through essays like "Some Secrets of the Magazine Prison-House." By examining critiques of peers such as Cooper and Bryant, one understands the context of Poe’s own creative output. It offers a direct look at literary judgments rather than modern analysis, making it valuable for academic research or deep dives into Gothic traditions.

⭐ Reader reviews

The starting rating comes from the team Horror Reads —

⭐ HorrorReads editorial review Editorial rating 4.5/5

★★★★★

Ideal for literary scholars and Poe enthusiasts analyzing his critical framework, this volume explores his views on peers like Cooper and Longfellow. Casual readers seeking pure Gothic horror tales or modern commentary will find the dense, primary-source essays less engaging.

Reader rating

4.6

Based on 3 reviews

Daniel B.

December 17, 2025

Read it in one night

I read a lot of horror and I'm picky. There's real craft in how much is left unsaid. Definitely recommend.

Carol N.

June 6, 2025

Dread done right

Finished it over a stormy weekend, which helped. Slow burn, but the burn is the point. The binding held up to being carried around for a week. Shipping was quick too.

❓ Frequently asked questions

No. This volume focuses exclusively on Poe’s critical essays and literary reviews. If you are looking for 'The Tell-Tale Heart' or 'The Raven,' you will need to browse our fiction section instead.

Probably not. The text relies heavily on primary sources and mid-nineteenth-century literary debates rather than accessible modern analysis. It is best suited for scholars or dedicated fans interested in Poe’s specific views on authors like Cooper and Bryant.

📖 Who should read this

📜 Historical context

Edgar Allan Poe reshaped nineteenth-century American letters by defining the short story, popularizing Romantic Gothic fiction, and nearly inventing detective fiction. These critical essays offer a rare glimpse into his sharp judgments of contemporaries and the publishing industry. Grounded in mid-century literary traditions, they reveal how this pioneer viewed his peers, providing essential context for understanding his theoretical approach to narrative craft and aesthetic judgment.