“Edgar Allan Poe’s Tales of Mystery and Madness,” illus. by Gris Grimly (Atheneum,
9780689848377, $17.95, for ages 12 and up)
This is another great book to use to introduce young readers to the works of
Edgar Allan Poe--whether in connection with the newly launched Big Read
Wichita or at any time. Gris Grimley (awesome pseudonym!) presents four of
Poe’s best-known stories accompanied by new and fascinating illustrations.
Each one brings Poe’s unabridged text to life with clever use of settings,
facial expressions, and darkling imagery.
“The Black Cat” follows one man’s descent into madness; “The Masque of the
Red Death” (my favorite) tells of a grand ball that ends with the arrival of
plague; “Hop-Frog” features a seemingly weak character who uses trickery to
best his wicked betters; and “The Fall of the House of Usher” follows a
visitor into a swampy, suspect mansion that seems to hold unspeakably
secrets. It’s pure, wonderfully unnerving Poe.
Grimly’s pictures are moody and funny, and his gift for drawing glazed eyes
and manic smiles serves the material perfectly. The style of the book mixes
text, pictures, and odd diagrams, pulling even reluctant readers through to
the end of the story.
This is an ideal companion to Grimly’s recently published volume “Edgar
Allan Poe’s Tales of Death and Dementia” reviewed here:
http://www.watermarkbooks.com/review0809-001.html
Review by
Mark David Bradshaw, October 7, 2009
