The Masque of the Red Death
The Masque of the Red Death, published in 1842, is one of Edgar Allan Poe's shortest tales. While a plague called the Red Death empties his dominions, Prince Prospero withdraws with a thousand courtiers into a fortified abbey and gives a masked ball in a suite of seven rooms, each decorated in a single color, the last in black with windows of blood-red glass and an ebony clock whose chimes stop the dancers each hour. At midnight a figure appears in the costume of a plague corpse, and the prince pursues it from room to room. Poe tells the story almost without dialogue, as a procession of images, and its allegory of wealth trying to lock out death has been read many ways. It is available to read online in your browser on Vinteuil, with the opening pages free.
Start reading right away, without signing up. The complete text is included in Vinteuil Reading, or yours forever with a one-time purchase.
Frequently asked questions about The Masque of the Red Death
The Masque of the Red Death by Edgar Allan Poe can be read online on Vinteuil, directly in your browser. The first chapter is free for everyone; the complete book is included in Vinteuil Reading ($4.99/month or $39.99/year) or yours forever for $2.99.
Can I read The Masque of the Red Death online?
Yes. The Masque of the Red Death opens right on this page, in a reader designed for long reading: adjustable text size, light, sepia and dark themes, a clickable table of contents and your place saved when you are signed in. No download or app is needed.
Is The Masque of the Red Death free to read on Vinteuil?
The first chapter of The Masque of the Red Death is free, without an account. To read the whole book, either buy its online reading for $2.99 (£2.99 in the UK) and keep it forever, or subscribe to Vinteuil Reading for $4.99/month (£4.99/month in the UK) or $39.99/year, with 1 month free for new subscribers. The subscription opens every book in the library and can be cancelled at any time.
Is The Masque of the Red Death in the public domain?
Yes. The Masque of the Red Death by Edgar Allan Poe is a public-domain work. Vinteuil offers a carefully prepared digital edition made for comfortable reading on screen.
How long does it take to read The Masque of the Red Death?
About 10 min of reading, at an average reading pace. Your place is saved automatically when you are signed in, so you can read in several sittings and on several devices.
What kind of book is The Masque of the Red Death?
The Masque of the Red Death by Edgar Allan Poe is filed under "Classics" in the Vinteuil library.
