Murders In The Rue Morgue (1901) - Plot & Excerpts
I had the opportunity to read this short story over Christmas. I'm a huge fan of Sherlock Holmes. Those short stories were my introduction to the murder mystery and I was hooked. This story by Poe is credited with starting the mystery genre, so I was glad to finally read it.I was a little disappointed. The first part of the story ambles on about chess vs draughts (?), which I finally skipped over to get to the story. There was a reason for it - to demonstrate the reasoning ability of Dupin, but it seemed out of place. Once the story started it moved at a good pace. Most of the facts the reader knows are presented, in great detail, via newspaper articles. Dupin, the title character, does visit the scene and that's all it takes. One visit, in addition to reading the articles and he knows what happened. All but the most minute of details he knows. It's a horrible crime and honestly, I didn't like who done it. I won't spoil it here, but it was a little disappointing and slightly far-fetched. Having said that, I could definitely see how it influenced Conan Doyle. Fortunately, he made a few changes. Overall, not a bad story, but I'm not sure if I'll read any of the other Dupin stories. Officially the first ever detective story "The Murders in the Rue Morgue" laid down foundation, format and archetype for what would forever be imitated as the epitome of the detective. Dupin's investigations are told in articles written in the second-person perspective and the Sherlock Holmes similarities do not stop there. Dupin is meticulous in his detail but not in imagining the incredible but by working the ordinary into incredible detail. He also uses the powers of supposition and probability rather than limit himself to the cold hard facts as done by the inferior local law.The only thing stopping this getting five star is the language, which eases as the reader is brought fully into the investigation, for it is stifling and hazardous at the outset. It may just be me being a cretin, or just a sign of changing times, but it felt prohibitive and served to shroud the details in literary clouds.Still, a great case with a great man investigating it.
What do You think about Murders In The Rue Morgue (1901)?
Well, it's the twisted mind of Poe...So what more can I say about it? Brilliant mind
—Caisin
Podría decirse que mi favorito, junto con el gato negro.
—RAH
I love this book and have recently bought and re-read it!
—Qwertyuiop
