Hello everyone,
Today’s review is on His Hideous Heart edited by Dahlia Adler.
Date Read: October 13th, 2022
His Hideous Heart is a collection of short stories inspired by 13 stories by Edgar Allan Poe. I will be reviewing each story in a mini-review. I am really thankful that the works that inspired the short stories were included. The order will first be a review the original Poe story, followed by the reimagined short story.
Metzengerstein by Edgar Allan Poe
This was an interesting tale about an almost phantom-like horse and an unruly Baron who becomes maniacally attached to it. I loved how Poe sets up the story and captures the reader’s interest before getting to the meat-and-potatoes of the story. 3.75/5 Stars.
She Rode a Horse of Fire by Kendare Blake
I liked this retelling of Metzengerstein. I think Kendare Blake did a great job updating the story, but yet keeping the essence of the original. It didn’t quite have as much of the creep factor as the original, but it was also easier to follow along what was going on. I also liked how instead of a fire-red horse, it was a fire-red car. 4/5 Stars.
The Cask of Amontillado by Edgar Allan Poe
I remember reading this back in college and it being one of my favorite stories by Poe. It’s so simple, but still eerie as Montressor buries his friend Fortunato alive pretty much as revenge for a wrong that was supposedly committed. 5/5 Stars.
The Carnival by Tiffany D. Jackson
Well, this was an interesting take on The Cask of Amontillado. And in some ways a little bit more darker. This is definitely a what-of-a-bully-got-avenged story. 3.75/5 Stars.
Annabel Lee by Edgar Allan Poe
This is a bittersweet poem about love, and the object of that love dying. The argument could be made that the narrator is trapped in his pursuit of Annabel Lee, and that is love is more for the ideal of her. Even though it’s been almost 10 years since I lost read this poem, it is still a favorite. 5/5 Stars.
Night-Tide by Tessa Gratton
This was a sapphic retelling of Annabel Lee. I liked how it dealt with the taboo of Jaclyn’s relation ship with Annabel, especially in the time period this is set it ( I assume it is the 1800s). I appreciated how the author expanded upon the poem, but did so in such a way so as not to lose it’s essence. 4.5/5 Stars.
The Pit and the Pendulum by Edgar Allan Poe
This was an interesting story of a man awaiting his death in a dungeon, while doing his best avoid it, while also going mad with terror. It is revealed a couple of times, but especially at the end that this story takes place during The Spanish Inquisition. 4/5 Stars.
The Glittering Death by Caleb Roehrig
Dang! This one had me on the edge of my seat, especially since there is no way out for Laura. I really liked how the main elements of the original work were incorporated into the story. I also liked how instead of the Inquisition, it is about a serial killer who perverts religion to justify what he does. It was definitely a ride. 5/5 Stars.
The Purloined Letter by Edgar Allan Poe
I can’t remember if I’d read this one back in college, I think I did for my class on Detective Fiction, especially since this story in particular is one of the earlier pieces of mystery fiction. Dupin can be seen as the 19th century predecessor to Sherlock Holmes. This was a fascinating mystery, and a great example of what my professor referred to as the “armchair detective.” It’s definitely worth a read from fans of Sherlock Holmes. 5/5 Stars.
A Drop of Stolen Ink by Emily Lloyd-Jones
I liked how this was a futuristic retelling of The Purloined Letter. It was fascinating and I would love to read more set in this futuristic world. I liked how instead of a letter it’s trying to find a tattoo that can be used for identification. It also had an interesting twist near the end. 4/5 Stars.
The Tell-Tale Heart by Edgar Allan Poe
This is probably one of Poe’s most famous works. It is an interesting tale of murder, but also of guilt and one’s conscience getting the better of them. 4/5 Stars.
Happy Days, Sweetheart by Stephanie Kuehn
While this was an interesting retelling of The Tell-Tale Heart, it just seemed to be missing something. 3/5 Stars.
The Raven by Edgar Allan Poe
Another poem by Poe that is eerie/ The narrator seems to be haunted by a demonic raven waiting from his death. 4/5 Stars.
The Raven (Remix) by amanda lovelace
amanda lovelace does a good job of using the original poem for blackout poetry. In this version Lenore is still very much alive, and the raven is not quite so menacing. 4/5
Hop Frog by Edgar Allan Poe
It was hard to read at times because of the dated language. The king is most definitely cruel, but in some ways Hop-Frog is too, although he is more so motivated by revenge. 4/5 Stars.
Changeling by Marieke Nijkamp
This was an interesting retelling, and I’ll be honest and say that I think I liked this a lot more than the original work. I really liked how the author use the practice of leaving “changelings” for the fae, and uses it for the basis of the tale. it was also interesting how the story is told masterfully in two timelines, even thought it is a short story. This is definitely one of my favorites form the collection. 5/5 Stars.
The Oval Portrait by Edgar Allan Poe
An odd little story in which the narrator comes upon an entrancing painting and reads up on the sad and tragic tale behind it. 4/5 Stars.
The Oval Filter by Lamar Giles
Wow, this was a good retelling. I love how we don’t really know if Tariq is alive after the end of the story. The last section definitely had me on the edge of my seat. 4/5 Stars.
The Masque of the Red Death by Edgar Allan Poe
An interesting story in which a group of aristocrats hole up in a castle while a plague rages throughout the land. However, the plague and death comes for them all. 3.75/5 Stars.
Red by Hillary Monahan
I was a little confused while reading this. However it was interesting. In this version death goes to a night club called Prospero’s! and kills everyone. 3.5/5 Stars.
Ligeia by Edgar Allan Poe
This story was kind of boring. Basically, it’s about our narrator who waxes poetically about the love of his life. She dies. He remarries, his second wife dies. His first wife takes over her body. 3/5 Stars.
Lygia by Dhalia Adler
I liked this retelling and how our main character goes mad with grief when her new girlfriend transforms herself into her deceased girlfriend. 3.5/5 Stars.
The Fall of the House of usher by Edgar Allan Poe
A sentient house and the last two surviving members of a once prestigious family. It’s and interesting romp. 3/5 Stars.
The Fall of the Bank of Usher by Fran Wilde
I really enjoyed this retelling. I definitely liked it more than the original. I liked the concept of an evil AI and genetically modified fungi that eventually leads to the fall of the bank. 4.5/5 Stars.
The Murders in the Rue Morgue by Edgar Allan Poe
The first story featuring Dupin. The beginning reads more like a scientific text, but once it gets into the story it is more gripping. I also liked the twist at the end. 3.5/5 Stars
The Murders in the Rue Apartelle, Boracay by Rin Chupeco
This retelling was alright, I liked how mythical creatures are apart of this version of our world. I felt like the slang was overused to the point it kind of distracted from the story. I really liked the twist at the end. 3/5 Stars.
Overall, this was a good collection of stories. A little tedious to get though because I decided to read the original stories as well. It was great to revisit a couple of favorites by Poe, as well as to read these retellings. I have definitely met my short story quota for the year though. My only complaint is that none of these gave me the creeps like I wanted them to except The Glittering Death. 4/5 Stars.
Happy Reading,
Janelle L. C.
Meanderings of a BookWorm 