As far as I know Poe is claimed to be the inventor of the detective genre, so the fact that this story is too ordinary could mean that everybody else was copying it, but I’m not sure about it
That is my understanding as well. He created superb template. It's difficult to explain without revealing the crime, but for me so much of the story works so well, I just wish they were solving another case.
the story just starts so mysterious and intriguing with the philosophical tells in the beginning and the character's talk with Dupin. also, the build-up was great too, i thought. i even hoped there would be some supernatural reasoning (even though i didn't expect it from the writer) but the ending was so bizarre that i didn't know if it ruined the story for me or it made it more memorable and interesting.
I've never understood the controversy about the ending, it isn't ilogical and does exactly what it wants, which is create surprise. It's like the ending of The Sopranos: it's not what you expect, but it's totally possible.
Read the novel at 13. And absolutely loved it. Along with Sagan’s Cosmos, this novel participated in reinforcing some fascination for the analytical and scientific processes going in pair with the awe of being able to demystify what may seem, at a first glance, magical and sometimes frightening. Now, my 13 years old self was not able, yet, to judge the story telling qualities of the novel. But the impact it had on me (nightmares and increased passion for science) is undeniable. I should read it again… maybe I’ll be able to see now what I could not see then.
I just finished reading the Narrative of Arthur Gordon Pym of Nantucket and was left with the same feeling as you are sharing. This was the very improbable story of Arthur wanting to be on board a sailing ship so he gets his friend to hide him below decks. To keep him company his friend leaves a dog with him ! Everything begins to go wrong and we finally find out that the crew has mutinied and now are complete cut-throat pirates. Very atmospheric (dark, damp, claustrophobic... you name it and it is there). When the story is told at a dinner table by Arthur you really have to shake your head. Improbable !!!.... sounds like it was almost as improbable as 'Murders at R M' !! I guess comparing these to what else was being printed in the magazines in those days this was pretty good ??? !!!
I thought in my first read it would be an animal. But in a poe fashion expected it to be some unnatural beast. Which would have been great shock value. To have a man who loves reason find the only solution to be completely unreasonable and maybe leave it open ended even? Alas. Very disappointed. Good video👍
I am enjoying your Poe videos. I have recently read for the first time "The system of Dr. Tarr and Prof. Fether". This story has satire and also fits in the halloween theme. Although Morbid and dark I think this is a great story for Poe fans! Thanks for this video I will read this story in the coming days.
You're spot on with regards to the "two beginnings". I agree that while it's a good story and very well written, it does have rhythm issues and fails to instantly grip the reader unlike the House of Usher or Tell-tale Heart. Thanks for your analysis!
I lost it when you were talking about the ending it was really funny. For me the ending ruined the story. From the epitigraph I think the story is about the possibility of deducing to that capacity so that might account for the ending? I don't know, personally for me Poe made a believable case for that possibility until the end. I enjoyed spending time with the characters in the way they spent it. I hear Poe influenced Henry James, he was on my mind when Poe was detailing the various parties reactions to the accents but Poe felt more abject and gruesome, but that ending... maybe ruined is the wrong word but what gives?! When it comes to literature is everything more in the telling?
As far as I know Poe is claimed to be the inventor of the detective genre, so the fact that this story is too ordinary could mean that everybody else was copying it, but I’m not sure about it
That is my understanding as well. He created superb template. It's difficult to explain without revealing the crime, but for me so much of the story works so well, I just wish they were solving another case.
We ain't going to ignore that big cat👀
the story just starts so mysterious and intriguing with the philosophical tells in the beginning and the character's talk with Dupin. also, the build-up was great too, i thought. i even hoped there would be some supernatural reasoning (even though i didn't expect it from the writer) but the ending was so bizarre that i didn't know if it ruined the story for me or it made it more memorable and interesting.
Sorry I asked about intro then you started taking about it ! Thanks - the analogy at beginning was very hard bc of the language .
I've never understood the controversy about the ending, it isn't ilogical and does exactly what it wants, which is create surprise. It's like the ending of The Sopranos: it's not what you expect, but it's totally possible.
Read this too! I also felt a bit let down by the ending but do appreciate the story as a forerunner for the 'detective' genre!
Read the novel at 13. And absolutely loved it. Along with Sagan’s Cosmos, this novel participated in reinforcing some fascination for the analytical and scientific processes going in pair with the awe of being able to demystify what may seem, at a first glance, magical and sometimes frightening. Now, my 13 years old self was not able, yet, to judge the story telling qualities of the novel. But the impact it had on me (nightmares and increased passion for science) is undeniable. I should read it again… maybe I’ll be able to see now what I could not see then.
I just finished reading the Narrative of Arthur Gordon Pym of Nantucket and was left with the same feeling as you are sharing. This was the very improbable story of Arthur wanting to be on board a sailing ship so he gets his friend to hide him below decks. To keep him company his friend leaves a dog with him ! Everything begins to go wrong and we finally find out that the crew has mutinied and now are complete cut-throat pirates. Very atmospheric (dark, damp, claustrophobic... you name it and it is there). When the story is told at a dinner table by Arthur you really have to shake your head. Improbable !!!.... sounds like it was almost as improbable as 'Murders at R M' !! I guess comparing these to what else was being printed in the magazines in those days this was pretty good ??? !!!
I really wonder what people thought of these stories at the time!
The magic of reading
I thought in my first read it would be an animal. But in a poe fashion expected it to be some unnatural beast. Which would have been great shock value. To have a man who loves reason find the only solution to be completely unreasonable and maybe leave it open ended even? Alas. Very disappointed. Good video👍
I am enjoying your Poe videos. I have recently read for the first time "The system of Dr. Tarr and Prof. Fether". This story has satire and also fits in the halloween theme. Although Morbid and dark I think this is a great story for Poe fans! Thanks for this video I will read this story in the coming days.
Awesome, thank you for the suggestion!
Thank you for your analysis!
You're spot on with regards to the "two beginnings". I agree that while it's a good story and very well written, it does have rhythm issues and fails to instantly grip the reader unlike the House of Usher or Tell-tale Heart. Thanks for your analysis!
Thank you!
I lost it when you were talking about the ending it was really funny. For me the ending ruined the story. From the epitigraph I think the story is about the possibility of deducing to that capacity so that might account for the ending? I don't know, personally for me Poe made a believable case for that possibility until the end. I enjoyed spending time with the characters in the way they spent it. I hear Poe influenced Henry James, he was on my mind when Poe was detailing the various parties reactions to the accents but Poe felt more abject and gruesome, but that ending... maybe ruined is the wrong word but what gives?! When it comes to literature is everything more in the telling?