Thegeniusbehindterror-----MyreviewofTalesofMysteryandImaginationInfact,IhaveheardthenameAllanPoesinceveryyoung.MyprimaryChineseteacherisoneofhiscrazyfans.TillnowIrememberdistinctlywhathehadsaidtous:TheUnitedStateshasbredtwomagnificentauthors,oneisMarkTwain,theotherisAllanPoe.ItiswhenIwasgradeseventhatIreadoneofhismostfamousarticlesTheBlackCat.Thisarticlehasleftaterribleinfluenceonme.ForseveraldaysafterreadingitIcouldn’tsleepwell.Whilelyingatbedalone,Icouldfeelthefullstrengthofthefeelingsofterrorthathadgrowninme.SothetimeIknewIhadtoreadhisworksagainandwriteanreviewaboutthemasmywork,Iwasupsetfromthebottomofmyheart.However,unexpectedly,Ifinishedreadinghiseightarticlesinjustoneafternoonthistime.It’snotonlythebreathtakingplotswhichattractmyattention,butalsoAllan’sliterarytalentthatarousemyadmirationforhim.What’smore,thougheightarticlesaretotallydifferent,IfeltlikeIwastheleadingcharacter,thenarratororthewitnessofeacharticle.I’mthemanwhowokeupinthedarkanddampprisoncell.Ialmostfellintothedeeppit.Abovemewasthependulumwithasharpbladeswungbackforth.Icouldheartheweirdvoicecryoutinsidethewall,Icouldseethepoliceteardownthewallandfindthebodyofthedeadwoman.Aswell,IcouldseetheblackcatlikePlutositinfrontofher.IfollowedMr.Dupintosolvethemysteriousmurderandlearnedhisabilitytoobservedetails.Iwasterrifiedbythehorrifyingandamazingcrime,too.Iwasattackedbytheterriblestormandsankwiththeshipandotherpassengers.IwitnessedMr.Wyaat’sthrowinghimselfintotheseawiththelongboxandthentheydisappeared,suddenly,atonceandforever.IalsohelpedDr.Pandhisfriendsattachelectricalwiretothewell-conditionmummyandbroughthimbacktolife.IbecamenervousandterrifiedwheninthehouseofUsherasifthehouseitselfwascausingmyterror.Ifinallyranawayfromthehouseasitfellwithagreatcrashintotheblacklake.IcouldseedrunkFortunatotiedtoapairofironringsonthebrickwallbyMontresor.IcouldheartheharshscreamsmadebyFortunato.IcouldseeMontresorlefthimtodiebehindthewall.IcouldsawthesmileonMr.Dupin’sfacewhenhemanagedtogetthestolenletterastheMinisterlookedaway.Inaword,people’sopinionsaboutAllanpoeandhisfictionsvaryfrompersontoperson,butfrommypointofview,Imustpaymysincerecomplimenttohim.Whataninsaneman!Whatamadman!Whatagiftedman!Feb.10.2015Sharon.
