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Michael's Reviews > The Complete Stories and Poems
The Complete Stories and Poems
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Michael's review
bookshelves: gothic
Apr 25, 2017
bookshelves: gothic
Read 2 times. Last read June 16, 2017 to June 30, 2017.
I've reviewed the tales I read by their individual titles, and I won't repeat my reviews here. Let me just say that Poe is an under-appreciated master. Not just under-appreciated by many readers today, for whom he's synonymous with being a sort of proto-schlock-horror writer, but under-appreciated by readers and even famous writers of his day. Henry James infamously said that "[a]n enthusiasm for Poe is the mark of a decidedly primitive stage of reflection." Granted, James was young at the time, but still, that's no excuse. Even worse was Ralph Waldo Emerson's dismissal of Poe as the "jingle man." These writers (whom I otherwise admire) thought of Poe as immature, but I think they make the classic mistake of confusing the writer with his subject. Poe's characters are often high-strung and immature in their way, but Poe is never without an ironic distance from them. Many of the narrators of his tales are classic "unreliable narrators," and Poe wants his readers to see them as such--to see behind the masks they don--and it's there that his tales gather most force.
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Reading Progress
Finished Reading
April 25, 2017
– Shelved
April 25, 2017
– Shelved as:
gothic
June 16, 2017
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Started Reading
June 30, 2017
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Finished Reading
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Henry James writes in a literary style that demands concentration ... and it amply rewards those who will put forth the effort. Poe was able to tie directly into the emotions, allowing audience identification immediately, and he would take them on his journey from that point. If James had wanted us to identify with a murderer, there would be several chapters dedicated to all of the inner workings. Poe could evoke that identification (tinged with intrigue) in only a few paragraphs. Thank you for the review!
Thank you, Jola, for that quotation by Baudelaire to counter-balance things! I love Henry James--he's one of my favorite writers--but I guess everyone has their prejudices and blind spots. I also found it interesting how common the anti-Poe sentiment was in his day. I think at least part of this was due to Poe's difficult personality and his reputation for excessive drinking, but it's something I'd like to better understand at some point.
Thanks, Jim! I agree that James and Poe have such different styles, such different approaches to their material. I do love them both, but you're right, James would explore every nuance of a situation over several chapters, while Poe would just rush headlong in. Perhaps there's something biographical there too--James as the cautious and fussy intellectual, and Poe as the impulsive half-drunk gambler. More food for thought!
I enjoyed reading this, Michael, especially the parts about HJ's and Emerson's dismissals of Poe - plus the further interesting info in the comment thread. It's true that European writers seem to appreciate him more - I was aware of Baudelaire's and Mallarmé's homage - and of Manet's illustrations for The Raven. And then there's Javier MarÃas who is inclined to dismiss many writers but thought highly of Poe, and of course Nabokov, that most famous dismisser of everyone including Henry James, who nevertheless was inspired by Poe's Annabel Lee when creating Lolita. Writers on writers is an endlessly interesting subject;-)
Michael, I totally agree. Some of Poe's stories, that I read many years ago, have stuck like superglue in my brain. Forevermore, you might say. That is not the mark of a casual or insignificant writer!
Thank you, David, for the kind words!
Fionnuala wrote: "I enjoyed reading this, Michael, especially the parts about HJ's and Emerson's dismissals of Poe - plus the further interesting info in the comment thread. It's true that European writers seem to a..."Thank you, Fionnuala! I appreciate the added context. I had no idea of Mallarmé's homage, or of MarÃas's. Nabokov is an interesting case, because oh yes, did he ever diss James! I think at one point he says something like "Maybe there's a different Henry James and I keep reading the wrong one." Ouch! I agree, writers on writers is endlessly fascinating. You mix such tremendous egos and sharp wits, and it becomes almost a spectator sport.
Nice review. This is on my must-read list as I've read little of Poe's work and most was many years ago. I think it will be interesting to read him from an adult perspective.
Julie wrote: "Michael, I totally agree. Some of Poe's stories, that I read many years ago, have stuck like superglue in my brain. Forevermore, you might say. That is not the mark of a casual or insignificant wri..."Julie--I couldn't agree more. Poe was a master at creating the indelible image, which is a lot harder to do than it looks!
Thanks so much, Sue! I've found it quite interesting to be re-reading his work now. I'm perhaps a little amazed at how well it holds up and how much fascinating material I find in it.
Michael wrote: "Thank you, Jola, for that quotation by Baudelaire to counter-balance things! I love Henry James--he's one of my favorite writers--but I guess everyone has their prejudices and blind spots. I also f..."You are very welcome, Michael.
Good point about the personality and alcohol addiction as a possible basis for the anti-Poe sentiment. I would add the secret wedding with his 13-year-old cousin. It must have been a huge scandal.
Nabokov's sour comment about the wrong Henry James is great. :) Fortunately I seem to have read the right one. :)
I feel the same way, Jola--that I too have been fortunate to have read the "right" Henry James!
Michael wrote: "I feel the same way, Jola--that I too have been fortunate to have read the "right" Henry James!":) We've been lucky indeed. By the way, since yesterday I keep wondering who were the writers James approved of. I can imagine it wasn't easy to satisfy his literary tastes.
Nice review Michael! Poe is one of the reasons I love to read!
Great question, Jola! I know that, at least in his early years, James was greatly influenced by Balzac, which is interesting because I see them as so profoundly different. But I too wonder what other writers he liked. He must have been quite difficult to satisfy indeed!
Thanks so much for your kind words, Kevin! Poe is one of those writers who remind me why I love to read, as well.
Michael wrote: "Great question, Jola! I know that, at least in his early years, James was greatly influenced by Balzac, which is interesting because I see them as so profoundly different. But I too wonder what oth..."Wow, that's really surprising! If I had to guess, I think Balzac would be one of the last names I would come up with. On the other hand, James must have appreciated his detailed, vivid descriptions. Maybe he chose such a different writer to avoid comparisons. :)
Great review Michael! Funny that both James and Emerson had that to say about Poe. I have this book and often just go and grab it and read a story. Just because I love it and it's wonderful. I can't say I have ever thought that about James or Emersons works. :-)
Thanks, PorshaJo! I'm a tremendous Poe fan, too--and he's perfect for dipping into. I don't read much Emerson (not sure how many people do, these days), but the funny thing is that I also adore Henry James. I guess it's like having two great friends who don't get along--you never quite know why, but you still love them both.
Another insightful review, Michael! Love hearing Henry James's judgment, especially considering his masterful The Turn of the Screw
Thanks, Kristopher! Yes, The Turn of the Screw is quite masterful indeed, though I do wish James had been more generous with Poe!
To counterbalance James and Emerson's lack of enthusiasm, let me quote Charles Baudelaire. In his opinion Poe's poetry is 'something profound and shimmering like a dream, mysterious and perfect like crystal.'