In Tales of Mood and Mystery, we move beyond the basic elements of fiction writing and examine more subtle techniques of the writer's craft and particular style. All the pieces chosen are in their original version, as the author intended them. The language has not been simplified, adapted or altered in any manner. In addition to its more authentic and complex language and a deeper exploration of technique and style, and reader orientation.

Tales of Mood and Mystery goes beyond American Literary Classics in its attempt to develop of framework for classifiying these works by genre. We define genre as a distinct literary form, characterized by a particular language, style and tradition.

The pieces in Tales of Mood and Mystery represent specific genres, (and sub-genres) of literature and we shall attempt to classify each piece, as well as define the genre to which it belongs.

Selections from Highlights of American Literature

  • Edgar Allan Poe, The Cask of Amontillado (genre: gothic)
  • Ambrose Bierce, The Occurrence at Owl Creek Bridge (genre: horror)
  • George Bamber, Return to Dust (genre: science fiction)

Selections from American Patchwork

  • Shirley Jackson, Pillar of Salt (genre: terror)
  • Nelson Algren, How The Devil Came Down Division Street (genre: ghost story)
Mood ••• Mystery ••• Genre ••• Definitions ••• Influences ••• Classifications

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