The Narrative of Arthur Gordon Pym of Nantucket

by Edgar Allan Poe
The Narrative of Arthur Gordon Pym of Nantucket cover
Good Books rating 4.01
Adventure
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Paperback • £8.99
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  • ID: 7688
  • Added: 2025-12-16
  • Updated: 2026-01-27
  • ISBN: 9780140437485
  • Publisher: Penguin
  • Published: 1999-06-01
  • Formats: 1
  • Reviews: 4

Inspired by a real-life shipwreck account, Edgar Allan Poe's 'The Narrative of Arthur Gordon Pym of Nantucket' is a gripping sea adventure that follows the journey of young Arthur Gordon Pym. Stowing away on a whaling ship with the captain's son, Augustus, Pym finds himself in a series of life-threatening situations, witnessing mutiny, cannibalism, and other chilling events. /n/n Published in 1838, this tale is not just a rousing adventure but also a rich allegory filled with biblical imagery and psychological insights. It has influenced numerous writers, including Melville, James, Verne, and Nabokov, and is presented by Penguin Classics with authoritative texts and insightful notes.

Reviews
Chick Who Reads Everything · 2025-09-22
engaging 3.75

The book is written in a manner typical of Poe, with a framework that suggests it is a true story. The reviewer enjoyed the overall structure and style.

The reviewer appreciated the book's classic Poe style and the way it is presented as a true story. They found the framework engaging and enjoyed the overall reading experience. The review suggests that the book is a good representation of Poe's writing, with a compelling narrative that keeps the reader interested.

Quick quotes

    It was written in a way that one would expect from Poe.

    Moreover, I liked the overall framework of this supposedly being a true story told by ...

    It's a compelling narrative that keeps the reader interested.

Cannonball Read · JMSudar · 2024-07-27
gruesome 4.00

The book is described as weird and gruesome, with some of the most horrific scenes in any Poe story. It is a thrilling and unsettling read.

This review highlights the book's intense and unsettling nature, noting that it contains some of the most horrific scenes in Poe's works. The reviewer found it to be a thrilling and gruesome read, with elements of mutiny and shark attacks that add to its unsettling atmosphere. They appreciated the book's ability to keep them engaged and on edge throughout.

Quick quotes

    It's weird as hell, first of all.

    Some of the most horrific scenes in any Poe story happen here: shark attacks, mutiny, ...

    It's a thrilling and gruesome read.

John Pistelli · John Pistelli · 2016-10-22
unique 3.80

The narrative is more of a faux memoir and travelogue than a traditional novel, evolving into a visionary romance. It's a unique and imaginative work that stands out among Poe's writings.

John Pistelli views the narrative as a distinctive blend of memoir and travelogue, which eventually transforms into a visionary romance. He appreciates the uniqueness of the story, noting that it sets itself apart from Poe's other works. The reviewer finds the narrative's structure and imaginative elements particularly engaging, highlighting its originality and the way it challenges traditional novel conventions. While acknowledging its flaws, Pistelli ultimately praises the novel for its creativity and the fresh perspective it offers within Poe's body of work.

Quick quotes

    The Narrative is not really a novel at all—it is a faux memoir/travelogue that eventually becomes a visionary romance.

    It's a unique and imaginative work that stands out among Poe's writings.

    The narrative's structure and imaginative elements are particularly engaging.

The Guardian · 2013-11-23
significant 4.50

The book is a classic adventure story with supernatural elements that has fascinated and influenced generations of writers. It is a significant work in Poe's bibliography.

This review emphasizes the book's status as a classic adventure story with supernatural elements. The reviewer notes that it has had a significant impact on generations of writers and is a noteworthy addition to Poe's works. They highlight the book's ability to captivate readers with its unique blend of adventure and the supernatural, making it a significant piece of literature.

Quick quotes

    A classic adventure story with supernatural elements.

    Has fascinated and influenced generations of writers.

    A significant work in Poe's bibliography.

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