How to Write a Blackwood Article (Signora Psyche Zenobia #1) by Edgar Allan Poe (1838): A Review

Title: How to Write a Blackwood Article (Signora Psyche Zenobia #1)

Author: Edgar Allan Poe

Publication Year: 1838

Pages: 13

Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐

Genre: Satire, Gothic, Horror

Source: Physical Book

One colossal blunder I made was reading “A Predicament” before “How to Write a Blackwood Article.” Who knew it was the opener of Signora Psyche Zenobia's saga? After wading through this satire masquerading as a short story, it dawned on me why the sequel is such delightful nonsense. I bumped my rating from 3 to a generous 4 stars!

Our charming narrator—Signora Psyche Zenobia, a rare female voice in Poe's short stories—launches into her whimsical lessons with the legendary Mr. Blackwood on crafting tales for The Blackwood magazine. As she details the “must-have” features of a horror and gothic short story (which sound absurdly ridiculous), I couldn’t help but chuckle and facepalm in unison. Poe's humor is pure gold! Who knew the recipe for a gothic thriller was just a hint of existential crisis? Cheers to parody and a good laugh!

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