Text: Sarah J. Hale, “Review of the Library of American Books [including Poe's Tales],” Godey's Lady's Book (Philadelphia, PA), vol. 31, no. 6, June 1845, pp. 570-571

[page 570:]

EDITORS’ BOOK TABLE.

[[. . .]]

[column 2, continued:]

“Wiley & Putnam's Library of American Books.” We have already noticed one volume of this series. We have [page 271:] now on our table Nos. 2, 3, 4 and 5, and are able to pronounce that it is conducted by some first rate hand, we know not whom; but we do know that it must be a critic of excellent judgment and taste. The selection among the numerous MSS. which are presented for reading to this, as well as to every great publishing house, evinces a determination that the whole series shall be composed of interesting and readable books. No. 2 is a collection of “Tales,” by Edgar A. Poe. Our readers know him to be one of the most accomplished authors in America. In England he is ranked among the classic writers of the mother tongue. In his narrative pieces he exhibits qualities of mind deemed incompatible with each other — such as a talent for profound analysis, and a most brilliant fancy — a power of rigidly minute and exact detail in description like testimony on oath; and, contrasted with this, a skill in the “building” of marvelous and grotesque stories, which make the Arabian Tales seem tame and prosaic in comparison. We like a writer of this character and calibre. We are tired of being merely satisfied; and we like occasionally to be astonished. Talent and learning can satisfy. It takes genius to astonish. This Poe possesses, and he has exhibited some of its most decisive proofs in the volume before us. No. 3 comprises “Letters from Italy,” by J. T. Headley; a racy, lively, readable book of travels of the American school, written with all that vivacity and familiarity which is the principal charm of the books of Slidell, Stephens, Catlin and other successful American writers in this department. We observe that the newspapers are enriching their columns with copious extracts from Headley's Letters. So much the better for their readers. No. 4, “The Wigwam and the Cabin,” by W. Gilmore Simms, is a collection of stories by the great novelist of the South. These short pieces are among the best of Simms’ productions. The necessity for bringing his work within a certain compass appears to prevent the diffuseness in which he is apt to indulge in his novels. They have more nerve and not less beauty and grace than s his larger works. No. 5, “Big Abel and the Little Manhattan,” by Cornelius Matthews, exceedingly amusing and original brochure, by ne of the most popular of our American writers in the humorous vein. It will be well received on both sides of the Atlantic.