Edgar Allan Poe’s stature as a major figure in world literature is primarily based on his ingenious and profound short stories, poems, and critical theories, which established a highly influential rationale for the short form in both poetry and fiction. Regarded in literary histories and handbooks as the architect of the modern short story, Poe was also the principal forerunner of the “art for art’s sake” movement in nineteenth-century European literature. Edgar Allan Poe’s name is so commonly associated with Gothic horrors that we often fail to see the charm and humanness found in his work. Written as an autograph in Lucy Holmes’ album, Poe never published this following poem in his lifetime. It was found and published instead by E.L. Didier in Scribner’s Monthly in 1875. Alone is often considered Poe’s most revealing work and with good reason. Here the tormented mind of the literary genius is pulled back and we have a glimpse into the early hours of an abrupt and troubled life. Yet in this message, we see that Poe relates this trouble differently than those commonly plagued with gloom. This darker tone is a facet of his character. He was not as others were. He saw things through a much different light. Where averagely others saw passions and goodness in only the lighthearted things like spring, he saw the beauty of the dark and the peculiar. Enjoy free online English audiobook “Alone”, a breathtaking novel by Edgar Allan Poe.
