Great Classic Stories II by Edgar Allan Poe

Great Classic Stories II

Dark, dreary tales to haunt your mind

★★★★ 4.0 (2 ratings)

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Quick Facts

AuthorEdgar Allan Poe
NarratorSimon Vance, Kate Fenton, Stephen R. Thorne, Robert Fass, Bronson Pinchot
Runtime7h47m
PublishedOctober 14, 2010
Rating★★★★ 4.0 / 5 (2 ratings)
CategoriesLiterature & Fiction, Anthologies & Short Stories, Anthologies, Classics
FormatAudiobook (Digital)
PlatformAudible

About This Audiobook

Edgar Allan Poe’s *Great Classic Stories II* isn’t just another anthology—it’s a macabre masterclass in psychological unease. This collection of 18 short stories weaves gothic horror, eerie mystery, and unsettling irony into a tapestry designed to linger long after the final word. Poe’s prose is razor-sharp, his themes obsessive, and his endings deliberately disturbing. The audiobook’s standout feature? The narration. Simon Vance’s velvety baritone lends gravitas to tales like *The Tell-Tale Heart*, while Kate Fenton’s haunting delivery in *The Masque of the Red Death* makes the aristocratic doom feel visceral. Stephen R. Thorne’s gravelly growl in *The Black Cat* adds a layer of menace, and Bronson Pinchot’s mischievous cadence in *The Cask of Amontillado* turns Poe’s dark humor into something you’ll want to replay. The production is tight, with no dead air or awkward pacing—just seamless immersion into Poe’s world of madness and dread. If you’ve ever wanted to feel the chill of a cursed chamber or the paranoia of a guilty conscience, this is your audiobook.

Tags: gothic horror audiobookEdgar Allan Poe short storiesmacabre narrated anthologydark literature audiopsychological horror narration

Why Listen to Great Classic Stories II?

  • Expert narration by Simon Vance, Kate Fenton, Stephen R. Thorne, Robert Fass, Bronson Pinchot brings every character and scene to life across 7h47m of immersive audio.
  • Highly rated at 4.0 stars by 2 listeners.
  • Free with your Audible trial — keep the audiobook forever even if you cancel.
  • Perfect for commutes, workouts, and relaxation. Listen anywhere, anytime.
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Editor's Review ★★★★

AudioBook Atlas

I’ll admit, I approached this audiobook with skepticism—another Poe collection? But the *Great Classic Stories II* narration team turns what could have been a stale rehash into a gripping experience. Simon Vance’s performance in *The Fall of the House of Usher* is nothing short of hypnotic; he doesn’t just read the words—he *inhabits* them, making Roderick Usher’s decay feel like your own. Kate Fenton, meanwhile, nails the eerie detachment of *Ligeia*, her voice shifting from serene to sinister in a way that’s deeply unsettling. That said, not every performance hits the mark. Robert Fass’s narration in *The Pit and the Pendulum* feels flat, lacking the urgency Poe’s prose demands—it’s a jarring misstep in an otherwise stellar lineup. And while the production is polished, the lack of chapter markers in my digital file made it nearly impossible to jump to favorite stories without fumbling. Still, the sheer power of the best narrations here makes this a must-listen for fans of gothic horror. If you’re new to Poe, start with Vance or Fenton’s tracks—they’ll sell you on the rest.

Download: Great Classic Stories II

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Great Classic Stories II by Edgar Allan Poe is an immersive listening experience. Performed by Simon Vance, Kate Fenton, Stephen R. Thorne, Robert Fass, Bronson Pinchot with a runtime of 7h47m, you can start with a free trial that you can cancel at any time. The audiobook remains yours forever, even if you end the trial.