Fantasy author Ken Altabef lends his unique voice talents to a modern reading of 13 classic tales (and six poems) by Edgar Allan Poe.

What is meant by a modern reading? These beautifully horrifying tales were written nearly 200 years ago, and language gradually shifts and grows over time. Some words have actually changed meanings, and some, no longer in common usage, are nearly incomprehensible to the modern listener. For example, does anyone nowadays really know what a hogshead of ale is? (It's a barrel.)

These stories have been gently and lovingly edited to create a more accessible, and more modern, listening experience. Some archaic terms and phrases have been updated in favor of more contemporary ones, and an occasional politically incorrect reference deleted - all while carefully retaining all the mood and atmosphere and elegantly beautiful prose crafted by the master of the macabre, Edgar Allan Poe.

All your favorites are here: "The Tell-Tale Heart", "The Masque of the Red Death", "The Black Cat", "The Fall of the House of Usher", "The Raven". Also included: "The Cask of Amontillado", "The Facts in the Case of M Valdemar", "The Oval Portrait", "Hop-Frog", "Berenice", "Ligeia", "Metzengerstein", "Morella", "The Bells", "Annabel Lee", "The Conqueror Worm", “The Haunted Palace”, "A Dream Within a Dream", and "For Annie".