The Oblong Box, Edgar Allan Poe
The Oblong Box, Edgar Allan Poe
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The Oblong Box

Author: Edgar Allan Poe

Narrator: Melissa Arredondo Jaramillo

Unabridged: 39 min

Format: Digital Audiobook Download

Published: 08/03/2020

Categories: Fiction, Horror


Synopsis

The narrator begins with booking passage on a ship to travel from Charleston, S.C. to New York. He soon finds that an artist friend, Mr. Cornelius Wyatt, along with Wyatt's wife and two sisters, will be on the same ship. Our narrator reports that there are three rooms booked for this party, and he wonders what the explanation can be. Of course, it must be a servant! But he sees that the word servant had been on the passenger list, but had been crossed out. We also learn at this point that the narrator knows Mr. Wyatt's sisters, but has never met the wife.

When the ship is being loaded for the trip, Mr. Wyatt has with him a large oblong box, which is placed in the artist's own room - not the extra stateroom. The narrator suggests to the reader that this may be a painting in which both men have an interest. Of course, most readers instantly think of a coffin, but this possibility is not mentioned. The box is addressed to Mrs. Wyatt's mother in New York.

About Edgar Allan Poe

Edgar Allan Poe (1809-1849) was an American poet, short story writer, editor, and literary critic who is credited with inventing the detective fiction genre and with contributing to the emerging science fiction genre. He began his literary career with the anonymous publication of a collection of his poems entitled Tamerlane and Other Poems. He then turned to writing prose and spent the next several years working for literary journals and periodicals, becoming well known for his particular style of literary criticism. He served for a time on the staff of the New York Mirror, in which his poem "The Raven" was published. Poe's other well-known works include his stories "The Purloined Letter," "The Murders in the Rue Morgue," and "The Mystery of Marie Roget."


Reviews

Goodreads review by Sandra on April 09, 2020

Intriguing story about a mysterious oblong box that is brought on board a ship. A short and captivating read.......more

Goodreads review by Francesc on January 10, 2022

No es de los mejores relatos de Poe. No es el tema principal, pero Poe recurre otra vez al viaje en barco y al hundimiento debido a una gran tormenta como eslabón importante para el desarrollo de la trama. It is not one of Poe's best stories. It is not the main theme, but Poe again uses the boat trip......more

Goodreads review by Peter on July 29, 2019

I absolutely enjoyed this story by Poe. The narrator is on a sailing trip from Charleston to New York. Aboard is a friend of his, an artist named Wyatt and his entourage. But what is in the oblong box he brought along with him? And why is his wife he adores and loves such a simple and clumsy person?......more

Goodreads review by فايز غازي on November 29, 2023

- قصة قصيرة تجري على متن باخرة متجهة الى نيويورك، يتخللها شك الراوي بصديقه لإستئجاره غرفة ثالثة واخذ صندوق معه وتبدأ تحليلات الراوي لتنتهي القصة بتراجيدية غير متوقعة.......more

Goodreads review by PinkPanthress on November 01, 2022

Our narrator tells us a story about the Independence and its journey at Sea… and an Oblong Box. Quick read of 10 pages (≈ 29 minutes). I am not sure what to make out of this, but it was entertaining enough for a good rating. If you would like to read or listen to the short story, here are the Links. F......more