My Love For The Writings of Edgar Allan Poe

 Today I wish to speak about the true figurehead of horror stories, Edgar Allan Poe.
 I am a reader that enjoys literature which can profoundly affect my mood. Consequently, I take great pleasure in introducing Poe to a wider audience of people and I hope that this article will do just that.

 As for those who are already familiar with the legendary wordsmith, I will sleep blissfully in my bed knowing that reading this post may at least be a thought provoking experience.

 It is impossible to delve very deeply into the Gothic sub-culture without stumbling across old Edgar; his face alone is a memorable sight and many of his poems and stories have infiltrated popular culture.

 Personally, I think that Poe's ability to create a supremely engaging feeling of suspense, as well as his seamless crafting of terrifying scenes, was his true key to success. Admittedly, Edgar's willingness to approach taboo subjects (death and premature burial) spawned some controversy which must have helped him along the way, but without pushing the boundaries of social norms, wouldn't we just be standing still?

 After purchasing 'The Fall of the House of Usher and Other Writings' from the Penguin Classics range I have dipped in and out of Poe's creations at will, which is the beauty of his penchant for writing short stories.  If I was to undertake the difficult task of picking my top five most loved pieces from this book, I think that 'The Tell-Tale Heart', 'The Oval Portrait' and 'Ligeia' would make it to my final list. Many animations, narrations and film presentations have been made that beautifully illustrate Poe's work and thus I would strongly recommend watching some of these videos on YouTube. In particular, acting legend Vincent Price once filmed a chilling rendition of 'The Raven' and his magnificent voice compliments the poem perfectly.

 I simply love how Edgar placed extreme importance on imagery. I have often found myself clearly comprehending his descriptions, whilst still being able to delight in using my own imagination.

 It is true that stories such as 'The Pit and the Pendulum' are a masterclass in the macabre, but Poe wasn't just a brilliant horror writer, he was a great thinker to boot! He penned some extremely important life lessons all those years ago and for that reason alone, he may never be forgotten. Edgar has made me think about the importance of living every day as if it were my last, the beauty in the bleaker side of life and the importance of my friends. I am very much in his debt and I hope that one day, you may be too...

Review: 'The Shining' by Stephen King

‘The Shining’ by Stephen King is not just a classic horror novel; it is a timeless literary epic. To confine this masterpiece’s categorization to the horror genre would be doing Stephen King a great disservice, simply because this book provides so much more than a few grisly scares.

The narrative follows the failings of the ‘recovered’ alcoholic Jack Torrance, his wife Wendy and their five year old son, Danny. Danny has an extraordinary talent, ‘Shining’; his powers allow him to see things that other people cannot see. Danny can also read other people’s thoughts.

 This allows King to develop the characters in great depth, ultimately making everyone seem more human because we can read their minds. This effect is heightened by Stephen’s decision to present the tale from the perspective of multiple characters, which works seamlessly.

 The family find themselves living in the mysterious Overlook Hotel and we immediately get the sense that they have arrived at a very unique place. I really enjoyed reading as the family unlocked the hotel’s secrets because I felt as if I was reading about real, historical events.

 The writer’s ability to haul you head first, kicking and screaming into his fictional nightmare is a skill rivalled only by the late Edgar Allan Poe, a writer who is referenced throughout the book. Stephen’s ability to strike terror with his words had me clutching the covers with a steadfast hold as I read in a trance-like state, rushing to the end of each chapter as if I was trying to escape.

 Admittedly, reading a five hundred page book may be an ever so slightly laborious task for someone with a short attention span, but I cannot claim that a single chapter was superfluous or unenjoyable.  

 I would recommend ‘The Shining’ to most people because a prior love of the horror genre is not required. The Shining would be a great book for a teenage boy to read, because every boy of a certain age likes a good scare, but Stephen’s work is certainly not solely suited to men.  King’s storytelling is the work of a master wordsmith and if this book works for you, you’ll definitely want to read it till the end.

Welcome!

Hello and welcome to Spook's Cabin, the home of all things spooky! Get ready for all kinds of reviews and articles on everything from classic horror novels to modern gore-filled slashers! With writings about the occult and ravings on gothic rock this is sure to be a nightmare that you won't want to miss! Hold onto your hatchets 'cause things are about to go loco...