Halloween Reads| The Cask of Amontillado by Edgar Allan Poe
The Cask of Amontillado by Edgar Allan Poe is a classic that I just couldn’t forget after reading it in school. Granted, most know the Tell Tale Heart with its’ iconic heart beat but this is an often overlooked noteworthy story as well. It’s an older entry into the Halloween Reads series but a great one.
What’s It About?
From the start, we find that Montresor is angered at an unspecified slight his friend Fortunato has done to him and now he is ready to enact his revenge. He finds his friend Fortunato dressed in a jester’s costume out reveling in the streets for Carnaval. Upon meeting him, Montresor casually mentions needing the opinion of Luchesi, a friend of theirs on whether he has Amontillado wine in his cellar or not. Fortunato being the wine connoisseur that he is, offers his own services. It is here that the plot begins to unfold as they make their descent into the wine vaults.
My Thoughts
Although at times the wording can make you become lost, owing to most of the terminology/patterns of speech not being widely used today, the meaning still comes through. The way Poe describes the scenery makes you feel like you are descending down with the characters. You’re placed into the shoes of the villain for a change and made to feel his glee at his wicked deed. A truly unique spin from a masterful storyteller.
Overall Impression
This is a great read that is most often added to English class curriculums and for good reason. I recently experienced the story as an audiobook and throughly enjoyed it. If you’re looking for a classical scare, give The Cask of Amontillado a try!
Image from bn.com
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Just Talking Shep 