The Bibliophile's Compass

Title : The Overcoat Author : Nikolai Gogol Publication Year : 1842 Pages : 57 Rating : ⭐⭐⭐⭐ Genre : Satire Source : ebook & audiobook @storytel.tr Opening Sentence : In the department of--but it is better not to mention the department. There is nothing more irritable than departments, regiments, courts of justice, and, in a word, every branch of public service. First of all, Sir! This is no short story. Let’s make it clear. Novella, maybe. Short story, no! “The Overcoat” by Gogol is the story of Akaky Akakievich, who is content with his routine job; he is more than content, he thoroughly enjoys his role as a copyist. Nothing should change his routine! He is almost me, or a cat, or Bartleby, the Scrivener! He is happy with his job and is respected for what he does, but there are always bullies at the workplace. So, he has to deal with that aspect of his job as well. However, nothing stops him from his obsession with what he does. Until he finds a new obsession! He needs a new overc...

Title : The Mystery of Marie Rogêt Author : Edgar Allan Poe Publication Year : 1842 Pages : 63 Rating : ⭐⭐⭐ Genre : Detective Fiction Source : eBook Opening Sentence : There are few persons, even among the calmest thinkers, who have not occasionally been startled into a vague yet thrilling half-credence in the supernatural, by coincidences of so seemingly marvellous a character that, as mere coincidences, the intellect has been unable to receive them. This detective fiction features C. Auguste Dupin, a precursor to the Holmes-like detectives created by Edgar Allan Poe. It serves as a sequel to "The Murders in the Rue Morgue" but focuses on solving a new crime mystery based on a real incident. In this story, Dupin attempts to solve the crime without ever leaving his chair. Unlike traditional mysteries filled with action and adventure, this narrative revolves around Dupin and his sidekick as they meticulously examine reports and newspaper articles to uncover the trut...

Title : The Pit and the Pendulum Author : Edgar Allan Poe Publication Year : 1842 Pages : 20 Rating : ⭐⭐⭐⭐ Genre : Horror, Gothic Source : eBook "The Pit and the Pendulum" is another horror masterpiece by Edgar Allan Poe. In this story, Poe successfully evokes a profound sense of fear in the reader by placing his character, a victim of the Spanish Inquisition, in a dungeon where he is left alone, except for the looming presence of the inquisitors. If this were a movie—a very well-made one—I would never ever watch it. The terror is so intense that you either gasp repeatedly, hold your breath, or even forget to breathe! Poe creates this atmosphere of horror through human involvement rather than relying on supernatural monsters. We humans are great monsters by ourselves and do not need any supernatural monsters. At first, you might think you are reading about the character's nightmare or hallucination. Perhaps he is truly sick on a deathbed, experiencing this as a fe...

Title : A Virtuoso's Collection Author : Nathaniel Hawthorne Publication Year : 1842 Pages : 19 Rating : ⭐⭐⭐ Genre : Allegory Source : EBook As usual, we are presented with an allegorical story, but this one is of a different caliber. It follows our narrator's visit to a very peculiar museum that showcases a vast array of exhibits, including artifacts from pre-history, ancient civilizations, religious items, literature, and notable objects, animals, and people from recent history. This enchanting and captivating museum is a place you would wish to visit. Our narrator is also quite unusual; he isn’t particularly interested in ancient history, literature, or monarchy. However, his eyes light up when it comes to religious artifacts and figures, as well as items related to American history. Does this sound familiar? There is also an element of suspense! Who is the owner of this unique collection that guides our narrator through the museum? And who is the gateman? Read the ...

Title : The Masque of the Red Death Author : Edgar Allan Poe Publication Year : 1842 Pages : 10 Rating : ⭐⭐⭐⭐ Genre : Gothic, Horror, Pandemic Source : eBook Many years ago, when I first read this story, my review would have focused on its allegorical and gothic aspects: the inevitability of death and how it will hunt you down, no matter how far you go to hide. In this case, of course, it's set in an isolated castle. However, after living through a pandemic, my perspective has changed. The story now feels more relevant, as if it isn't happening in a creepy castle centuries ago. It tells the tale of Prince Prospero and his attempts to escape the plague known as the Red Death, which has been devastating his country and claiming many lives. Does this sound familiar based on our recent history? What’s more, he has the audacity to throw a party and invite other nobles, completely ignoring the suffering of those dying outside his walls. Again, doesn't that ring a bell? T...

Title : The Oval Portrait Author : Edgar Allan Poe Publication Year: 1842 Pages : 4 Rating : ⭐⭐⭐⭐ Genre : Gothic, Horror Source : EBook @everand_us “The Oval Portrait” is a typical example of Gothic horror, featuring an obsessed male character and a victimized female character, reminiscent of the works of Edgar Allan Poe. Although it does not center on the theme of live burial, it involves the imprisonment of a woman's soul within an oval portrait and her body that is no more. The main narrative follows an artist who creates paintings that appear almost lifelike, particularly the woman depicted in his portrait. The story contrasts an obsessed artist, who is captivated by beauty and art, with a naive young wife. She believes that by remaining still and being the object of her husband’s obsession, she can earn his love. Unbeknownst to her, he views her not as a wife but as an abstract concept of beauty, and everyone knows the dangers that such obsession can bring. However, ...

Title : Eleonora Author : Edgar Allan Poe Publication Year : 1842 Pages : 9 Rating : ⭐⭐⭐ Genre : Gothic, Romance, Horror Source : EBook @everand_us Warning : Spoiler Alert and Disappointment "Eleonora" is an intriguing addition to Edgar Allan Poe's repertoire, showcasing both familiar themes and unexpected twists. At its core, the story features an unreliable narrator—a classic brooding soul spiraling into madness. He is deeply in love with a female character, and, like in many of Poe’s tales, things take a tragic turn with her untimely demise. He even vows not to remarry, fearing that it might tempt fate to unleash a curse. This scenario is quite typical for a Poe protagonist, right? With promises of haunting and a love that transcends death, one could almost feel at home in the eerie embrace of gothic literature. However, don’t get too comfortable just yet! A notable departure from the expected gloom occurs in the setting, which begins as a pastoral paradise bu...