"The Facts in the Case of M. Valdemar" (1845) by Edgar Allan Poe, up on Fantastic Worlds

[jordan179]

“The Facts in the Case of M. Valdemar”

© 1845

by

Edgar Allan Poe

Of course I shall not pretend to consider it any matter for wonder, that the extraordinary case of M. Valdemar has excited discussion. It would have been a miracle had it not-especially under the circumstances. Through the desire of all parties concerned, to keep the affair from

Comments

[metaphorsbwithu]

I read this short story when I was about 16. I discovered more about Poe's actual life later but knew a little of his life even then from notes on his life in the anthologies I read.

I always assumed Poe was simply using the mesmerizing angle as a way to create this unique and horrifying consciousness of death trap in the deceased who was caught in his limbo of agony unable to be released from his bondage. Knowing Poe was tormented by death in life and vice versa, both figuratively and literally, made it all seem like the story was a metaphor for his own self-destructive impulses.

Of course I could have been wrong. he might just have thought the concept really creepy. Which it is.