Time and again called one of Poe’s most brutal horror short stories, "Berenice" employs themes similar to Poe’s previous works: death of a beautiful woman, premature burial, and mental disorder. Though some autobiographical elements can be felt, the story still remains one of horror and obsession. The dark and brooding atmosphere, together with the almost-maniacal obsession of the main character with his cousin, creates a story that is definitely not for the faint-hearted!
Edgar Allan Poe (1809-1849) was an American poet, author, and literary critic. Most famous for his poetry, short stories, and tales of the supernatural, mysterious, and macabre, he is also regarded as the inventor of the detective genre and a contributor to the emergence of science fiction, dark romanticism, and weird fiction. His most famous works include "The Raven" (1945), "The Black Cat" (1943), and "The Gold-Bug" (1843).