Marcus Aurelius Green

The narrator, 22-year old Napoleon Buonaparte, changes his last name from "Froissart" to "Simpson" as a requirement to inherit a large sum from a distant cousin, Adolphus Simpson. At the opera he sees a beautiful woman in the audience and falls in love instantly. He describes her beauty at length, despite not being able to see her well; he requires spectacles but, in his vanity "resolutely refused to employ them." His companion Talbot identifies the...

The story takes place during the time of the plague and huge areas of the city are uninhabited as a result. Whenever the plague is discovered, the district in which it was found is put under ban and no one is allowed into the area. Barricades are put up to prevent people from entering and exiting these areas and spreading the disease. Despite these rulings, almost everything of value has been stolen from these districts. In addition, the damages of...

The first-person unnamed narrator describes his struggle with "attacks of the singular disorder which physicians have agreed to term "catalepsy", a condition where he randomly falls into a death-like trance. This leads to his fear of being buried alive. He emphasises his fear by mentioning several people who have been buried alive. In the first case, the tragic accident was only discovered much later, when the victim's crypt was reopened. In others,...

Written in 1835, this is a unique example of sci-fi wrtten by a man much better known for dark and fantastical horror. Intended by Poe to be a hoax, this tale describes a journey in a balloon that includes the view of the Earth from space and a volcanic, seething satellite. From the wiki: "The Unparalleled Adventure of One Hans Pfaall" (1835) is a short story by Edgar Allan Poe published in the June 1835 issue of the monthly magazine Southern Literary...

The Bridal Party by S. Mukerji is a haunting tale set in the sacred city of Benares, where ancient traditions and supernatural forces collide. When a large bridal party gathers for a traditional Indian wedding, some guests, enticed by local legend, decide to spend the night in a nearby house known for being haunted. Despite warnings, they move in with excitement and curiosity, only to face an eerie, chilling night that none of them could have anticipated....

Step into the captivating realm of "Mystification," a masterful short story by the renowned Edgar Allan Poe that intricately weaves humor, satire, and philosophical insight. Set against the backdrop of a bustling university, the narrative introduces the enigmatic Baron Ritzner von Jung, a figure of both intrigue and absurdity. With his peculiar blend of seriousness and whimsy, the Baron captivates those around him, wielding an influence that is both...

In The Domain of Arnheim, Edgar Allan Poe invites readers into a world where the boundaries of reality and imagination dissolve. The story chronicles the ambitious endeavor of a visionary who constructs an elaborate estate that transcends conventional architecture. This sprawling gothic mansion is surrounded by lush, meticulously designed gardens, teeming with fantastical flora and shimmering water features. The estate's beauty is matched only by...

Step into the charming yet peculiar world of a quaint Dutch village in Edgar Allan Poe's masterful satirical short story, The Devil in the Belfry. In this whimsical narrative, the village is known for its impeccable order and clockwork precision. Every day unfolds with predictable serenity, punctuated only by the rhythmic tolling of the town's grand bell. But the village's peaceful routine is about to be upended by a most unexpected and devilish...

In Edgar Allan Poe's captivating short story "Mellonta Tauta," readers are transported to a future where the author critiques the follies of his own time through the lens of an imagined society. Presented as a letter from a character living in the year 2848, the narrative cleverly juxtaposes the advancements of the future with the absurdities of the past. With sharp wit and insightful commentary, Poe examines themes of progress, technology, and human...

In "The Angel of the Odd," Edgar Allan Poe weaves a captivating tale that dances between the absurd and the profound. The story follows a bewildered protagonist who, after a night of indulgence, finds himself entwined with a mischievous angel. This celestial being introduces him to a series of bizarre and comical events that challenge his perception of reality. As the narrative unfolds, readers are treated to a delightful exploration of fate, chance,...