The Best Edgar Allan Poe Books

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Spooky season is here, and it's once again Edgar Allan Poe's time to shine. Poe, known for his macabre short stories and poems, is in the spotlight with the new Netflix adaptation The Fall of the House of Usher. Based on Poe's story, which he first wrote in 1839, the eight episode miniseries follows the family of a corrupt pharmaceutical CEO. Many viewers may be introduced to Poe's work through The Fall of the Hosue of Usher, but the Netflix show is just an adaptation. The best place to turn next is Poe's original writing. As the Library of Congress noted, "No writer has the ability to evoke a sense of horror and dread more effectively than Edgar Allan Poe."

Poe only wrote one novel in his lifetime, but numerous poems and short stories. His work falls in what is known as the "Dark Romantic" genre, which emerged from the Transcendental Movement. The New York Public Library explains that Poe's work is known for "his dark tales of horror, psychological terror, and madness." The library adds, "Murder, death, madness, grief, and psychological horror were common themes in his work, which fit the dour spirit of the Victorian age."

The works of Edgar Allan Poe are in the public domain, so there are many, many different versions of his work out there. If you don't know where to start, here is a guide to the best books to introduce a reader to Poe's work:

The Portable Edgar Allan Poe

This collection is a great start, as it compiles some of Poe's greatest short stories and poems, along with letters, articles, criticism, and other "observations" that Poe authored.

The Fall of the House of Usher and Other Tales

If you're looking just to read his short stories, including "The Fall of the House of Usher," this collection has fourteen of his greatest hits. Poe's only novel is also part of this volume.

The Complete Poetry of Edgar Allan Poe

Signet Classics also released a complete collection of Poe's poetry, writing, "Explore the transcendent world of unity and ultimate beauty in Edgar Allan Poe’s verse in this complete poetry collection."

The Narrative of Arthur Gordon Pym of Nantucket

If you're looking to read Poe's only full length work, check out his novel, The Narrative of Arthur Gordon Pym of Nantucket. It tells the tale of young Arthur, who stows away on a whaling ship.

The Detective Stories of Edgar Allan Poe

Poe is credited with inventing the detective story with "The Murders in the Rue Morgue," and this book brings together three stories he wrote that feature his character, Detective C. Auguste Dupin.

Poe: Stories and Poems: A Graphic Novel Adaptation by Gareth Hinds

Artist Gareth Hinds adapted Poe's work into a graphic novel format, making his work more accessible for those who prefer a more visual style. This features seven narratives, including "The Tell-Tale Heart" and "The Cask of Amontillado."

The Fall of the House of Usher and Other Writings

This collection of Poe's work includes short stories, poems, and essays. According to Penguin, the selection "demonstrates Poe’s intense interest in aesthetic issues and the astonishing power and imagination with which he probed the darkest corners of the human mind."

Edgar Allan Poe's Tales of Mystery and Madness

For an introduction to Poe's work for young readers, illustrator Grae Grimly adapted four of Poe's tales in abridged versions ("The Black Cat," "The Masque of the Red Death," "Hop-Frog," and "The Fall of the House of Usher").

Edgar Allan Poe's Tales of Death and Dementia

Grimly adapted four more of Poe's stories in this Tales of Death and Dementia, again targeted at young readers. As the publisher writes, "With little trimming and lots of gory visuals, these stories have never looked better or more frightening!"

The Science Fiction of Edgar Allan Poe

The Science Fiction of Edgar Allan Poe features 16 stories that explore "wide-ranging contemporary themes as galvanism, time travel and resurrection of the dead."

The Fall of the House of Usher (TV Tie-in Edition): And Other Stories That Inspired the Netflix Series

Mike Flanagan, who adapted The Fall of the House of Usher for Netflix, pens the introduction to this TV tie-in, which includes the stories that inspired him to create the spooky miniseries.

Great Tales and Poems of Edgar Allan Poe

This collection, which includes 11 stories and seven poems, was curated by the National Endowment for the Arts for their Big Read program. As NEA writes, "No author stays internationally popular for 150 years by accident. Poe is one of the classic authors of American literature—a master of the short story, a magician of the short poem, and a critic of brilliance and originality. And no small part of his artistic sleight of hand is that he appeals to readers from childhood to old age. Let us underestimate him nevermore!"

The Masque of the Red Death

This mini book (it's not the size of a regular book, be warned!) features some of Poe's best horror stories, including the titular "The Masque of the Red Death."

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