The Narrative of Arthur Gordon Pym of Nantucket

"My visions were of shipwreck and famine; of death or captivity among barbarian hordes..." Edgar Allan Poe's only novel, The Narrative of Arthur Gordon Pym of Nantucket, is a classic adventure story with disturbing supernatural elements that has fascinated and influenced many subsequent writers. It relates the various adventures and misadventures of young Arthur Gordon Pym, who stows away aboard a whaler called the Grampus. After surviving mutiny, cannibalism and shipwreck, Pym and his last surviving companion sail deep into the uncharted, mysterious Antarctic seas, where they face bizarre creatures, encounter hostile native islanders and, ultimately, the great unknown. By weaving together elements of the adventure travelogue and the Gothic horror story, Poe skilfully explores the boundaries of human knowledge and morality. Please note that this story contains racist language and stereotypical portrayals of non-white persons that were typical of the era in which it was written. Edgar Allan Poe (1809–1849) was an American writer, poet, editor and literary critic known for his dark, atmospheric tales and haunting poetry. Widely regarded as one of the most influential figures in American literature, Poe helped shape the horror and science-fiction genres and is widely credited with inventing detective fiction in his 1841 short story, Murders in the Rue Morgue. Despite a life marked by personal tragedy and financial hardship, Poe produced a number of enduring classics such as The Raven, The Tell-Tale Heart, and The Fall of the House of Usher, and since his somewhat mysterious death, he and his writings have had a wide-ranging influence in popular culture. In 1946, the Mystery Writers of America established the annual Edgar award, which honour the best in mystery fiction, non-fiction and film.