The Raven and Other Favorite Poems by Edgar Allan Poe: Fun To Read

"The Raven" has been one of my all-time favorite poems for as long as I can remember; at least since I had to memorize the entire thing and recite it in front of my ninth grade English class. And when I saw the book The Raven and Other Favorite Poems advertised in a book catalog I couldn't resist. I was delighted at the idea of sharing this wonderful poem with my children.

In truth, my first impression was a bit disappointed when I received the book in the mail. It was so short! A mere 48 pages. A bit over-sized softcover, but nothing spectacular. I guess I was initally expecting the complete works of Edgar Allan Poe. Guess I should have read the fine print a little better. And in reality, the vast majority of his poems are included in this book; only a few have been omitted. Another good lesson for "not judging a book by the cover". Or size.

As soon as I opened the book, found the correct page, and started reading "The Raven", however, my irritation faded away. And after I finished reading that timeless poem, I started browsing through the book. To my surprise and delight there were quite a few of Poe's poems included in this small book. And it gave me a nice, long period to read and reflect and just relax.

After all, it was Edgar Allan Poe! If any of you readers have not experienced his works, you have missed out. Poe lived from 1809 to 1849, and during that time frame he wrote numerous poems.

There are 41 of Edgar Allan Poe's poems included in this book, including "Lenore", "The Raven", "Annabel Lee", and many others. The type is reasonable; not too small and not too large, making it easy on the eyes to read this book.

As far as cost, it can't be beat! This volume of Poe's literature sells for $1.00. Yes, that's accurate. $1.00. And I have to say that it is well worth all one hundred pennies.

The ISBN number for The Raven and Other Favorite Poems is 0-486-26685-0. This book was published by Dover Publications in 1991. Also included at the back of the book is an alphabetical list of titles and an alphabetical list of first lines, which I found very helpful when looking for particular one's of Poe's poems I had remember reading over the years.

This edition is part of a collection known as the "Dover Thrift Edition" and is available online at Amazon.com. I have not looked for it an a real-life bookstore, but with the ISBN number they should be able to order it for you. And, at the very back of this book is a list of other volumes in the "Dover Thrift Collection". I plan to order many more; at this price I figure I can't go wrong.

You can't lose with this book. The value far, far exceeds the monetary expenditure, and I'm sure your family will have as much fun reading these poems out loud as mine has. Poe is timeless; what a wonderful way to introduce your children to true literature!

In closing, I thought I would share some favorite lines from "The Raven". Enjoy!

Be that word our sign of parting, bird or fiend! I shrieked, upstarting---
"Get thee back into the tempest and the Night's Plutonian Shore!
Leave no black plume as a token of that lie thy soul has spoken!
Leave my lonliness unbroken!--- quit the bust above my door!
Take thy beak from out my heart and take they form from off my door!"
Quoth the Raven, "Nevermore".