Home Feed
Home
Search
Search
Add Review, Blurb, Quote
Add
Activity
Activity
Profile
Profile
The Pit and the Pendulum
The Pit and the Pendulum | Edgar Allan Poe
25 posts | 87 read | 13 to read
"The Pit and the Pendulum" is a short story written by Edgar Allan Poe and first published in 1842. The story is about the torments endured by a prisoner of the Spanish Inquisition, though Poe skews historical facts. The narrator of the story is deemed guilty for an unnamed crime and put into a completely dark room. He passes out while trying to determine the size of the room. When he wakes up, he realizes there is a large, deep pit in the middle of the room. He loses consciousness again and awakens strapped on his back, unable to move more than his head. He soon realizes there is a large blade-like pendulum hanging above him, slowly getting closer to cutting through his chest. He finds a way to escape but the walls of his prison start to move and close in on him, pushing him closer and closer to falling into the pit. The story is especially effective at inspiring fear in the reader because of its heavy focus on the senses, such as sound, emphasizing its reality, unlike many of Poe's stories which are aided by the supernatural. The traditional elements established in popular horror tales at the time are followed but critical reception has been mixed.
Amazon Indiebound Barnes and Noble WorldCat Goodreads LibraryThing
Pick icon
100%
review
The_Book_Ninja
The Pit and the Pendulum | Edgar Allan Poe
post image
Pickpick

After reading contemporary fiction I need a few gos to get into the flow and classic style of Poe. Once I lock in, it‘s so beautifully crafted and satisfying to read. Sometimes I wish we all still spoke how Poe writes. His language is just so expertly crafted and meaningful. I read this because my local cinema showed Corman‘s adaptation a week after he passed. That film only shares a title with its source but it‘s a work of art in its own right.

Bookwomble Classic! Love Poe, and Corman is so OTT! 5mo
The_Book_Ninja I didn‘t appreciate those Corman/Poe films as a kid. They were always on very late…I don‘t know if I‘m misremembering but I think they were the 2nd film in the BBCs late night double bill. My mum was cool and always let me sit up but staying awake was another thing when the horror was psychological rather than violence, monsters and mayhem. 5mo
32 likes2 comments
review
Burpito
Pit and the Pendulum | Edgar Allen Poe
Pickpick

Sgood!

review
Ididsoidid
Pit and the Pendulum | Edgar Allen Poe
post image
Pickpick

I read a few of Poe‘s short stories for Halloween and this was definitely my favourite. Poe manages to develop a lot of tension in a few short pages and a sense of mystery and foreboding. 8/10

blurb
Eggs
The Pit and the Pendulum | Edgar Allan Poe
post image
JudeCC WOW I LOVE that cover!!!! 😱 3y
Eggs It‘s so Poe-ish! @WJCintron (edited) 3y
58 likes3 stack adds2 comments
review
Daisey
The Pit and the Pendulum | Edgar Allan Poe
post image
Pickpick

I used to never really read for the seasons, but Litsy has made me more likely to choose a mystery or horror around Halloween. This year I‘m fitting in a few Edgar Allan Poe stories with Serial Reader. I think I‘ve read this one before, but I did not really remember the details at all. Definitely a creepy and appropriate story for this week.

#SerialReader #shortstory #1001books

blurb
ConfessionofaBookaholic
The Pit and the Pendulum | Edgar Allan Poe
post image

Joining the audiothon by @aperfectmjk this weekend. Kicked off with 2 hours of Conjuring of light and finished the Pit and the Pendulum on audio. Also got a couple movies, BeetleJuice and American Psycho. +66 points today for #teamharkness #scarathon2020 #screamathon #littenlisten @StayCurious

StayCurious Woot Woot! That's awesome! 4y
32 likes1 comment
blurb
Kimberlone
The Pit and the Pendulum | Edgar Allan Poe
post image

Running an event for work today at a local high school library and was pleasantly surprised by a great Halloween themed book display when I walked in. The gravestones each have a book quote. Perfect for my #graveyard post today!

#chillingphotochallenge #scarathlon #teamstoker
@TheReadingMermaid

eri.reads So cute!! 🖤🖤 5y
BeansPage 🧟‍♀️ 5y
35 likes1 stack add2 comments
blurb
AvidReader25
The Pit and the Pendulum | Edgar Allan Poe
post image

Thanks to Oxford University Press for this gorgeous new edition from one of my favorite authors! Perfect timing for an October reread of a few stories.

30 likes1 stack add
review
Rachbb3
The Pit and the Pendulum | Edgar Allan Poe
post image
Pickpick

Great short story. Very descriptive, I felt like I was there with the prisoner.

#Litsyclassics
#Serialreader

80 likes1 stack add
blurb
2BR02B
The Pit and the Pendulum | Edgar Allan Poe
post image

I went to see an exhibit of sci fi and fantasy artwork, and one of my favorite pieces was this pen and ink illustration by Harry Clarke, depicting a scene from Poe's The Pit and the Pendulum.

vivastory This is fantastic! 7y
LauraJ Thanks for sharing. Love this! 7y
DrJAdMerricksson That's awesome! 7y
See All 7 Comments
readordierachel Gorgeous! 7y
goodthinkrebel Whoa! That's beautiful! 7y
TricksyTails 😍 Wow! Beautiful! 7y
KVanRead So creepy/beautiful. I love it! Sounds like a cool show. 7y
75 likes3 stack adds7 comments
review
Ash.on.the.line
The Pit and the Pendulum | Edgar Allan Poe
post image
Pickpick

In the 7th grade we had a Poe impersonator come and talk to our English class. This was the story he told and I didn‘t remember until I started reading this. I loved hearing him tell this and I could almost hear him as I was reading! He started my love for Poe and still it thrives today!

Ms_T Delightful! 7y
Reviewsbylola Wow, that sounds so cool! 7y
Ash.on.the.line @Reviewsbylola it was pretty cool! My English teacher was great with stuff like that! 7y
52 likes1 stack add4 comments
blurb
IamIamIam
The Pit and the Pendulum | Edgar Allan Poe
post image

Commemorating the 24th anniversary of the loss of Vincent Price while watching The Pit and the Pendulum and working on Zero's headstone for our #NightmareBeforeChristmas room on Friday! I love this event but I cannot WAIT until it's over! #ThisIsHalloween #EdgarAllenPoe #VincentPrice #TimBurton

diovival You have a Nightmare Before Christmas room? I'd love to see a picture when you've put everything together! 7y
IamIamIam Will do, @diovival!!! We it's going to be pretty awesome! 7y
33 likes2 comments
quote
JuliaTheBookNerd
The Pit and the Pendulum | Edgar Allan Poe
post image

#MacrabeMonday ☠️⚰️ #HallowReads 🎃 #BookNerd 💙📚

71 likes2 stack adds
blurb
Dan_SpiderCrafts
The Pit and the Pendulum | Edgar Allan Poe
post image

Illustration by Bernie Wrightson.

25 likes1 stack add
blurb
dariazeoli
The Pit and the Pendulum | Edgar Allan Poe
post image

I got nothin'. No hammock in my yard, no swing set. So I resort to Edgar Allen Poe.

#SwingMyWay

#JuneTunz

britt_brooke Nice choice! 8y
Tnovo 😱😱 8y
34 likes2 comments
review
night_shift
The Pit and the Pendulum | Edgar Allan Poe
post image
Pickpick

Man, the bit with the pendulum is SO nerve-wracking! Poe is freaking masterful with the dread.

#serialreader

Dan_SpiderCrafts I'd like to find where I stored by pocket book copy, with this cool eerie cover, reading with a flashlight years ago 😄 Serial Reader is a great way to get back into Poe in the dark! 8y
night_shift @AlobelThee I've got this big tome of all of his stuff, but it's so intimidating! Serial Reader helps with bite sized doses! 8y
29 likes1 stack add2 comments
blurb
Anneblythe
The Pit and the Pendulum | Edgar Allan Poe
post image

Don't you sometimes hate it when you can imagine things too well? 😨😨😨

6 likes1 stack add
review
AshleyHoss820
The Pit and the Pendulum | Edgar Allan Poe
post image
Pickpick

This is a short story and it shows why Poe is the father of the Gothic. I was actually nervous while reading this. Poe knows exactly how to keep you interested and exactly how to leave you wanting more. 9/1,001 #1001Books

review
Maike
The Pit and the Pendulum | Edgar Allan Poe
post image
Pickpick

Book 3 for the #readathon is down. These stories were just bonkers, in a good way 😄

Simona 👍👏 8y
Gissy I'm Edgar Allan Poe fan! I am participating in the spookathon and I just chose 2 books. I'm. It a fast reader plus other complications of this adult life 😊 8y
79 likes5 stack adds2 comments
blurb
Crash
The Pit and the Pendulum | Edgar Allan Poe
post image

It's that time of year..... Time to break out Poe.

28 likes2 stack adds
blurb
beaniebankbeth
The Pit and the Pendulum | Edgar Allan Poe
post image

I teach Poe to my 8th graders in Oct, because, October, duh. This is our next story & some ridiculous part of my brain thought, wouldn't it be a hilarious idea to have a store named after this? Think of the slogans! "We'll slice the price!" and "Our prices are pit-iful!" Okay, I'll sit down now.???#teachersoflitsy #punsforDAYS

Riveted_Reader_Melissa Hahaha! Love it! The picture is reminding of the scene they did for this book in The Raven movie. 8y
beaniebankbeth @Riveted_Reader_Melissa That movie was crazy! I'm sure the makers of it drew inspiration from this earlier film take on Poe. 8y
18 likes1 stack add3 comments
review
tasha
The Pit and the Pendulum | Edgar Allan Poe
post image
Pickpick
BooksTeasAndBookishThings Edgar Allan Poe is the theme we are using for our Daughter's 12 month photos this month! Pit and Pendulum is one of the featured props, too! 8y
tasha @BooksTeasAndBookishThings that's such a cute idea! I'm definitely gonna put more effort into getting some of his stories read! 8y
BooksTeasAndBookishThings Tell-tale heart will always be my favourite, but Cask of Amontillado is a close second 😊 8y
princess_dennie_pants There's a pub in Nottingham called the pit and pendulum and the bathrooms are behind a hidden door in bookshelves. 8y
tasha @dennlet that's amazing. I love literary themes locations like that! 8y
17 likes2 stack adds5 comments
blurb
kylienoele
The Pit and the Pendulum | Edgar Allan Poe
post image

I read this in high school and it has always stuck with me! #somethingforsept #shortstories #septphotochallenge

34 likes2 stack adds