The Devil in the Belfry
by Edgar Allan Poe
English • Published 1839 • Public Domain • Free to stream
Edgar Allan Poe's The Devil in the Belfry is a darkly comic gem — a satirical tale about the impossibly orderly Dutch village of Vondervotteimittiss, where every citizen, every clock, and every cabbage patch runs on clockwork precision. One afternoon a mysterious, whirling, fiddle-playing figure appears and scales the belfry, making the church clock strike thirteen. The result is total chaos.
Written in 1839, this story shows Poe at his most playful — skewering human obsession with routine and order through the gleeful mischief of an unlikely devil. Far from his usual horror, it is witty, absurdist, and utterly entertaining.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is The Devil in the Belfry free to listen to?
Yes, completely free to stream. No account, no subscription, no ads. It is in the public domain.
What is The Devil in the Belfry about?
A strange, whirlwind figure arrives in the perfectly orderly Dutch village of Vondervotteimittiss and makes the church clock strike thirteen — throwing the entire community into comic chaos.
Is it a horror story?
No — it is darkly comic and satirical rather than frightening. Poe uses a mischievous devil to mock human obsession with routine and order.
Who wrote The Devil in the Belfry?
Edgar Allan Poe, first published in 1839 in the Philadelphia Saturday Chronicle.
Is The Devil in the Belfry in the public domain?
Yes, it is in the public domain and free to read, share, and listen to worldwide.
How long is the audiobook?
It is a short story — a quick and enjoyable listen of around 20 to 30 minutes.
Who narrates the audiobook?
The audiobook is narrated by an AI neural voice using Microsoft Azure TTS, producing clear and natural narration.
Where can I listen for free?
Stream it free right here at freeclassicebooks2audiobooks.com. No signup, no app, no ads.
