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The Raven and Other Favorite Poems by Edgar Allan Poe
Reader Reviews 4 of 4 people found the following review helpful: The work of a poetic virtuoso--with a twist, July 23, 2003 Reviewer: Michael J. Mazza from Pittsburgh, PA USA The Dover Thrift Edition of "The Raven and Other Favorite Poems," by Edgar Allan Poe, is a fine collection of work from one of the most remarkable figures in American literature. The poems in this volume demonstrate Poe's total mastery of poetic effects: rhyme, meter, alliteration, etc. He is inventive and versatile in his use of different poetic structures. The many allusions mark this as the work of a truly brainy poet. But it's not just his skill and intelligence that are characteristic of Poe. He is also a poet of deeply felt passions. This collection shows his appreciation of love and beauty, as well as his concern with loss and tragedy. I'll just mention a few of the selections that struck me most. "Sonnet--To Science": brilliantly expresses the tension between scientific and mythopoetic worldviews. "The Coliseum": a thrilling exploration of the power of ancient ruins. "The Haunted Palace": the rich language contributes to its fairy-tale like flavor. "To My Mother": an achingly tender tribute to the speaker's mother-in-law. "Annabel Lee": a hauntingly beautiful, yet disturbingly creepy poem of love and loss. And of course, the unforgettable title poem. Dive into Poe's poetry and you enter a realm haunted by both angels and demons--a world of sorrow and joy, of terror and intoxicating beauty.
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