The Bibliophile's Compass

1844 The Oblong Box by Edgar Allan Poe published It is about a sea voyage and a mysterious box. 2014 Stone Mattress: Nine Tales by Margaret Atwood is published Atwood describes the pieces in the collection as "tales" rather than short stories, as they draw from the mythical and fantastical aspects associated with fables and fairy tales, rather than from conventional literary realism. 2014 How to Be Both by Ali Smith is published The story is told from two perspectives: those of George, a pedantic 16-year-old girl living in contemporary Cambridge, and Francesco del Cossa, an Italian renaissance artist responsible for painting a series of frescoes in the 'Hall of the Months' at the Palazzo Schifanoia in Ferrara, Italy. 2014 Man Booker Prize (shortlisted) 2014 Goldsmiths Prize (won) 2014 Costa Book Awards (won) 2015 Folio Prize shortlisted 2015 Baileys Women's Prize for Fiction (won) 2014 Standi...

Title : Rappaccini's Daughter Author : Nathaniel Hawthorne Publication Year : 1844 Pages : 48 Rating : ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Genre : Horror, Science Fiction, Gothic Source : eBook Opening Sentence : We do not remember to have seen any translated specimens of the productions of M. de l'Aubepine — a fact the less to be wondered at, as his very name is unknown to many of his own countrymen as well as to the student of foreign literature. Nathaniel Hawthorne's "Rappaccini's Daughter" is another masterpiece, where a mad scientist cultivates a toxic garden that would make even the most dedicated plant parent reconsider their hobby. Dr. Rappaccini is a genius who has already positioned himself as a god by creating his own Garden of Eden and his own Eve—the embodiment of a lethal poison. All he needs is to introduce an Adam into his garden to make his daughter happy. What could possibly go wrong? While the Devil may be absent from this plot, Hawthorne finds a way to introduc...

Title : A Tale of the Ragged Mountains Author : Edgar Allan Poe Publication Year : 1844 Pages : 13 Rating : ⭐⭐⭐ Genre : Adventure, Science Fiction, Mystery Source : eBook and audiobook @storytel.tr Opening Sentence: During the fall of the year 1827, while residing near Charlottesville, Virginia, I casually made the acquaintance of Mr. Augustus Bedloe. First of all, dear Mr. Poe, this is not the tale of the Ragged Mountains, but rather that of Mr. Augustus Bedloe. Secondly, I believe "mystery" would be a more fitting title for this story. At the beginning, you may think you understand what you are dealing with, but you will find you are mistaken at every stage of your imagined discovery. As the story unfolds, you might initially believe you are encountering a supernatural being—perhaps a vampire, a zombie, or something similar. However, you are soon informed that the situation has a medical nature. Then, it shifts again, leading you to consider concepts like time trav...

Title : Mesmeric Revelation Author : Edgar Allan Poe Publication Year : 1844, August Pages : 13 Rating : ⭐ Genre : Philosophical Essay Source : eBook and audiobook @storytel.tr Opening Sentence : Whatever doubt may still envelop the rationale of mesmerism, its startling facts are now almost universally admitted. This is not a short story; rather, it is a short philosophical essay—a dialogue between a hypnotist and a dying man on various philosophical topics: soul, God, the universe, death, and life. The beginning serves as a warning for those who do not believe in mesmerism. It states, Do not dare to doubt it; otherwise, “those who doubt are merely professional doubters—an unprofitable and disreputable tribe." As you continue, you feel as if you are sitting in a philosophy class being lectured by a professor. When the dying man appears, you take a deep breath and hope for some engaging story and action, but don't get your hopes up! The hypnosis takes the physician’s ...

Title : The Spectacle Author : Edgar Allan Poe Publication Year : 1844 Pages : 30 Rating : ⭐⭐ Genre : Comedy, Romance Source : EBook This is not your typical Poe short story. If you're looking for something uncanny, spooky, or ghostly, you're in the wrong place. To my disappointment, it starts with the theme of "love at first sight" and quickly shifts to the idea that "love is blind." And I mean that literally! Did I mention that this story falls into the category of "What the hell am I reading"? So, what makes this story disappointing? First, it stems from my personal taste. I'm not a fan of romance unless it’s a parody, which this story ultimately becomes, but too late. Anyway, we have a narrator who falls in love with a woman and pursues her—more like he stalks her—and eventually confesses his love to her and they get married within a few days! One crucial detail about our love-struck character is that his eyesight is extremely poor....

Title : The Angel of the Odd Author : Edgar Allan Poe Publication Year : 1844 Pages : 12 Rating : ⭐⭐ Genre : Satire, Supernatural Source : Ebook @everand_us Welcome to one of Edgar Allan Poe's classic “What on Earth did I just read?” tales! I absolutely adore his knack for humor and his delightfully absurd jabs at the world. If you fancy yourself a skeptic about hoaxes, the supernatural, or fate, you might want to think twice—because lurking in the shadows is the Angel of the Odd (or as I like to call it, the Hoax Goblin), just waiting to snatch away your prized possessions or cherished beliefs! So, take my advice: embrace the supernatural before you accidentally conjure up this mischievous little trickster and turn your life into a circus! I think I’ve just about summed it up!