Edgar Allan Poe - America's Pioneer Sci-Fi Writer
Poe's Writing Is Dark And Spooky But Also Science & Sci-Fi Based
Quoth the raven, sci-fi more?
Edgar Allan Poe listed in the same speculative science fiction authoring company as luminaries such as H.G. Wells, Frank Herbert or Arthur C. Clarke? Yes, it’s definitely appropriate. One of America’s oldest and most respected horror writers is also widely recognized as one of its earliest practitioners of the thrilling art of sci-fi. As one of the first who used science fiction as framework, Poe should be remembered as one of sci-fi’s earliest and most influential pioneer writers.
Poe Prose Power
Any Poe fan can tell you that his unique allure lays not in only his intriguing plots or memorable characters, but the structure of his densely packed prose. Yes, especially in the beginning, it may be a bit of a chore to read EAP, but when consistently tackled, you’ll undoubtedly get lasting, even a transformational satisfaction. And hey, your vocabulary will undoubtedly improve.
Horror and science fiction can overlap for us in an impressive way. Take Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein. The original walking dead story is both chilling, yet completely imagination provoking: What if we really can revive the dead one day? Ridley Scott’s Alien remains one of the most terrifying horror films, yet its narrative backdrop and plot devices are all science fiction based.
The Conversation of Eiros and Charmion
Poe uses a conversation between two deceased people to warn of the danger of comets which can cause armageddon by atmospheric change.
It certainly is a talky example of Poe’s penchant for dialogue and exposition, but you can almost imagine a kind of action film such as Armageddon or Meteor in our modern mega blockbuster cinematic landscape.
A Tale of the Ragged Mountains
Published in 1844 and known for its rambling nature, playing with mesmerism and even time travel, however mentally derived, this is one for diehard Poe fans only. Once again Poe uses real science - or at least pseudoscience - as plot device for his bizarre tale.
The Facts in the Case of M. Valdemar
Regarded both by fans and Poe critics as one of his most gruesome or even gory horror tales that the prolific author ever penned, the story also fascinates by playing with mesmerism and hypnosis to literally pause or even defeat death itself. It’s said the powerfully grisly atmosphere inspired many later horror and sci-fi writers to get more graphic, including the legendary HP Lovecraft.
This one has always been a particular favorite of mine, and the producers which have adapted it to movies usually do an impressive job. One of the best adaptations of the haunting tale is in an Italian co-production, Two Evil Eyes. Dario Argento directs a version of Poe’s The Black Cat, while George Romero gives us The Facts In The Case Of M. Valdemar.
Released in 1990, the film stars Adrienne Barbeau, Tom Atkins and Harvey Keitel with great gore, make-up FX by The Walking Dead’s Tom Savini. Though only offering up two Edgar Allan Poe stories, the film should please most horror lovers and Poe fans alike.
Edgar Allan Poe ranks as one of America’s most unique literary voices, and he is credited not only as the inventor of the modern detective story, but also one of the earliest voices in the speculative genre of science fiction. Sci-fi heavyweights such as George Lucas, Rod Serling and Gene Roddenberry all owe him an enormous debt. His darkest horror chills us to the bone, and his sci-fi will, like all great literature, give you meditative pause and make you wonder just what is possible with enough research and advanced technology.