SELECTED SHORTS: POE!

The sinister tales of Edgar Allan Poe come alive in this live-performance reading. Each narrator takes ownership of a story, producing an eclectic mix. René Auberjonois gives a gripping performance as the deranged narrator of the “The Black Cat,” reflecting the anxiety and pride the protagonist portrays in perfectly concealing a murder, or so he thinks. Fionnula Flanagan recreates the eeriness of “The Masque of Red Death” as she performs the story with a slow, steady tone. Selected poems also take center stage, with readings of “The Bells,” “Annabel Lee,” and “The Raven.” Poe’s stories lend themselves to performance with their introspective narrators, and this audiobook really takes the listener into the minds of these complex characters. D.M.W. © AudioFile 2012, Portland, Maine [Published: OCTOBER 2012]