Introduction to American Gothic Tales

American Gothic Tales

Hello fellow readers! My next reading conquest will be "American Gothic Tales" edited and with an introduction by Joyce Carol Oates. This compilation of various stories includes writers; Nathaniel Hawthorne, Edgar Allen Poe, H.P. Lovecraft, Shirley Jackson, Ray Bradbury, Anne Rice and so many more. I've always been fascinated with gothic and macabre tales, so surely this can't disappoint. I shall start this new reviewing blog with a review for each story in the collection and then an overall rating of the entire thing as a finale. I hope you enjoy.

First Story:
From Wieland, or The Transformation 
by Charles Brockden Brown

What is this story about? It isn't a story, but a piece (chapter) from a larger book. The piece selected is about a man confessing, at his trial, to murdering his wife and kids. The whole chapter has him ranting about how he was told by a voice to kill them, he claimed this voice to be his savior. This book was first published in 1798. With that in mind, it goes to show you that twisted and psychotic people existed that long ago, as well as today. Reading it the first time around wasn't enough, it caught me off guard and I got lost in all the ramblings. Second time through, it gave me the chill through my bones that I'm sure it was meant to give. I'm almost tempted to put the entire book on my to-read list, even though it seems like a book you couldn't rush through but wade in thick mud.