Edgar Allan Poe is the master of the horror genre. Did you read any of his stories in high school or college? If so, maybe you found his style too old-fashioned and complex? Or, since Poe tends to go hand-in-hand with Halloween, you just might be in the mood for something gruesome.
Tomorrow will be the last day to download a FREE Kindle Download of Popular Poe Stories in Plain English. I can give you Poe’s horrible tales, but rewritten with a modern sense of readability.
The rise of self-publishing provided the motivation I needed to start writing once again. Just under one year ago I published my first eBook. Doing so served multiple purposes:
- Learning how to format and convert text for upload to Kindle.
- Designing a cover using a photo purchased from iStock.
- Starting an author’s platfrom.
- Promoting an eBook.
- Getting over a bad case of writer’s block.
In case you are curious, I’ve included the first paragraph from my version of “The Cask of Amontillado” followed by Edgar Allan Poe’s original opening.
Halloween Skulls by Jiri Hodan
“The Cask of Amontillado” as rewritten by JeriWB
Countless times I had done my best to tolerate Fortunato’s put-downs, but when he started bad-mouthing me, I swore payback would be mine. Those who know me well know I would never give voice to such intentions. I knew I must have my revenge, but my certainty on that decision prevented me from being too risky. I knew I had to teach Fortunato a lesson and that I had to do so in a way where I wouldn’t have to suffer the consequences of my actions. The insults against me could not be properly corrected if the desire for payback became too overwhelming. Such wrongdoings cannot enjoy proper payback if the punisher does not make himself felt as a threat to the person who has mistreated him.
“The Cask of Amontillado” as written by Edgar Allan Poe
THE thousand injuries of Fortunato I had borne as I best could, but when he ventured upon insult, I vowed revenge. You, who so well know the nature of my soul, will not suppose, however, that I gave utterance to a threat. AT LENGTH I would be avenged; this was a point definitively settled — but the very definitiveness with which it was resolved precluded the idea of risk. I must not only punish, but punish with impunity. A wrong is unredressed when retribution overtakes its redresser. It is equally unredressed when the avenger fails to make himself felt as such to him who has done the wrong.
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I posted this on Bloggers Helping Bloggers on LinkedIn. You never know… you may get visitors from it. Thanks for the freebie!
Geek Girl recently posted..Motivational Monday – 10/29
Thanks
I’ve also included a brief excert from my work in progress, Lost Girl Road, at the end.
I am so impressed. You totally translated it! Need to get my free copy!
Bethany Lee recently posted..My Goals, An Update
Rewriting Poe really was a good way to get over writer’s block. Some Poe fans don’t agree with what I’ve done, but so be it
This is great. And yet again a reminder that I need to get a tablet soon. I have kindle on my pc but it is so impracticle for reading. Although it is great for collecting stuff for when I finally get my mobile reader.
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I’ve found I like basic tablets so much more for reading than my iPad. I agree that it can be quite the challenge to read a book while sitting at the computer.
Congrats, Jeri, on getting your e-book done and moving forward as an author.
What a wonderful idea to translate the work of Poe into plain English! (I imagine someone has done this with Shakespeare? If so, I should read it, too, as I am completely confused by the old Victorian English.)
Don’t let anyone discourage you. You’re on the right track! Be nice to your muse and she will serve you well.
Being kind on my muse can be tough when I tend to be so hard on myself… As for Shakespeare, I’ve found simplified versions, Manga versions, YA versions, and modernized plot versions, but no true novel translations that aim to keep the complexity of his work. Believe me, I briefly entertained the idea of such a translation, and quickly realized it would take eons to do one five-act play. Yet, I can see inspiration for re-worked versions in some of his plots.
Hello Jeri,
I enjoyed your version more than Edgar’s.
I find yours having more clarity and character. It sounded amusing and entertaining to.
Thanks for making me smile.
Jena Isle recently posted..By: JenaIsle
I truly do believe there is a place in literature for modernizing the language of the masters, otherwise many stories will continue to fade into obscurity.
This is great! Kudos to you for finishing this. I’ll be posting my review in Amazon as soon as I finish it.
Hope you don’t mind me sharing this on my FB page and on Twitter.
Adeline Yuboco recently posted..The Top 10 Spookiest Spots in the Philippines to Visit This Halloween
By all means, thanks for sharing! If you write a review, that will simply be icing on the cake
I really enjoyed reading your excerpt from The Cask of Amontillado. It’s interesting to go back and forth and look at the two styles of writing. You are quite talented with the English language that you can write and rewrite in this way.
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It was also a good lesson in humility as I realized just how long decent paraphrasing can take. When I had students do a similiar activity in the classroom, the time it would take each person varied drastically. It really makes a person aware just how malleable language is.
What a great idea. I agree with Doreen. A shakespear translation would help me a lot
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Oh the possibilities! I would like to see modern translations of Milton and Chaucer as well.
I enjoyed your version better. Plus I love your story telling skills. You had me all the way. It was very easy to follow. Thanks for the freebie!
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Thanks for stopping by! If all goes well, I will have a collection of original short stories out early in the new year.