thedarmainitiative's review against another edition
3.0
I found this book to be very interesting. It was amusing the rules of "society" during the time. As far the story of the Poe's, it would be nice to know what is true and what is fiction.
amarasanti's review against another edition
2.0
This book was ok. It did actually stick very closely to the reported history of Poe's life.
dwmetz's review against another edition
4.0
I enjoyed it. I'm a huge Poe fan so I've been reading anything I can get my hands on. Was a little disappointed that it seemed to end abruptly (wont spoil it) but I also thought I had more left of the book than I did (last 9% was book club resources and preview of another title).
I also recently read "The Poe Shadow" ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Which really set the bar high as far as Historic Fiction.
I also recently read "The Poe Shadow" ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Which really set the bar high as far as Historic Fiction.
mcreed06's review against another edition
3.0
"Our sales soared when we brought out 'The Raven' at the end of January. Same thing happened when we reprinted it last week. I suspect we could reprint it ten times and it wouldn't be enough. Readers have gone Raven-mad."
I had read the poem. Everyone in New York had since it had first been published the previous month. Even the German man who sold newspapers in the Village knew of it. Just this morning, when I asked him if he had the current issue of the Mirror; he'd said with an accent and a grin, "Nefermore."
Little girls skipping the rope on the sidewalk of Sullivan Street chanted, "Quoth the raven, quoth the raven, quoth the raven, 'Nevermore!'"
And today, over a century later, in 2015, The Raven is still everywhere. For Halloween, my 13-year-old's friend dressed in an all-black costume with a sign around her neck that read "Quoth the Raven, Nevermore."
Before I start to wonder whether it was his wife Mrs. Virginia Poe or fellow writer Mrs. Frances Osgood who was the inspiration for Edgar Allan Poe's beautiful poem, Annabel Lee, let's keep in mind that Mrs. Poe by Lynn Cullen is historical fiction, which is not to be taken for historical accuracy. Though Poe scholars credibly dispute that such a passionate and scandalous love triangle between the famous poet, his wife and their friend ever happened, it was an entertaining story set in a time period that saw some of the most influential artists and inventors of American history; among them, Louisa May Alcott, Clement Moore, Samuel Morse, and even Mr. Graham of the graham cracker; all of whom made cameo appearances in the well-done novel.
It was disheartening to read in the Afterword how so many of the characters later died of tuberculosis in real life; all three of Frances Osgood's daughters, Frances Osgood herself, and perhaps even Edgar Allan Poe. The insufferable Rufus Griswold also died of tuberculosis.
I have read The Raven several times, and have tried to get past the addictive and rhythmical lyrics to reach the underlying meaning of the poem. I always find myself lacking at my ability to reach deep meaning from what is probably America's most famous poem. Once upon a midnight dreary, while I pondered, weak and weary,... just ends up ringing in my head over and over. It was amusing to read that Edgar Allan Poe himself did not consider The Raven among his best work, and that Frances Osgood's opinion of the poem was that it was rather silly. This is an example that it is not always the best quality work that propels an artist to the upper stratosphere of mainstream popularity. The artist just has to put together a good enough product at the right time when the mainstream public is ready for it. In the second half of the 19th century, Americans were fixated with the spiritual and supernatural world, and seances were widespread in attempts to communicate with the afterlife. Thus Edgar Allan Poe's dark and morbid works were eagerly embraced by the readers hungry for such literature.
I had read the poem. Everyone in New York had since it had first been published the previous month. Even the German man who sold newspapers in the Village knew of it. Just this morning, when I asked him if he had the current issue of the Mirror; he'd said with an accent and a grin, "Nefermore."
Little girls skipping the rope on the sidewalk of Sullivan Street chanted, "Quoth the raven, quoth the raven, quoth the raven, 'Nevermore!'"
And today, over a century later, in 2015, The Raven is still everywhere. For Halloween, my 13-year-old's friend dressed in an all-black costume with a sign around her neck that read "Quoth the Raven, Nevermore."
Before I start to wonder whether it was his wife Mrs. Virginia Poe or fellow writer Mrs. Frances Osgood who was the inspiration for Edgar Allan Poe's beautiful poem, Annabel Lee, let's keep in mind that Mrs. Poe by Lynn Cullen is historical fiction, which is not to be taken for historical accuracy. Though Poe scholars credibly dispute that such a passionate and scandalous love triangle between the famous poet, his wife and their friend ever happened, it was an entertaining story set in a time period that saw some of the most influential artists and inventors of American history; among them, Louisa May Alcott, Clement Moore, Samuel Morse, and even Mr. Graham of the graham cracker; all of whom made cameo appearances in the well-done novel.
It was disheartening to read in the Afterword how so many of the characters later died of tuberculosis in real life; all three of Frances Osgood's daughters, Frances Osgood herself, and perhaps even Edgar Allan Poe. The insufferable Rufus Griswold also died of tuberculosis.
I have read The Raven several times, and have tried to get past the addictive and rhythmical lyrics to reach the underlying meaning of the poem. I always find myself lacking at my ability to reach deep meaning from what is probably America's most famous poem. Once upon a midnight dreary, while I pondered, weak and weary,... just ends up ringing in my head over and over. It was amusing to read that Edgar Allan Poe himself did not consider The Raven among his best work, and that Frances Osgood's opinion of the poem was that it was rather silly. This is an example that it is not always the best quality work that propels an artist to the upper stratosphere of mainstream popularity. The artist just has to put together a good enough product at the right time when the mainstream public is ready for it. In the second half of the 19th century, Americans were fixated with the spiritual and supernatural world, and seances were widespread in attempts to communicate with the afterlife. Thus Edgar Allan Poe's dark and morbid works were eagerly embraced by the readers hungry for such literature.
emilyeslomski's review against another edition
2.0
Certainly an interesting read. Pretty accurate historically but it took a few biographical leaps that prevented the story from being totally believable. Overall, it was an entertaining novel that kept me turning the pages.
truebookaddict's review against another edition
5.0
I have always been fascinated by Edgar Allan Poe. Besides being absolutely in love with his literary works, I've also considered him an enigmatic figure who is, and was, widely misunderstood by many people. It turns out that the author of Mrs. Poe felt the same, as evidenced by her wonderful depiction of the man in her book. I have also become intrigued by Frances Osgood, someone I knew very little of before reading this book. The depiction of Osgood in this book is beautiful. I felt like I was listening to the story of a friend. Perhaps I felt akin to her because I too am raising my children primarily alone and I am also a writer. But it's more than that. She is the classic representation of the insecurities that women face, especially women of her era when women were, in many minds, best suited for duties on the home front.
Another aspect of this book that I really enjoyed was the introduction of all the historical and literary figures to the story. Frances' visits to Anne Lynch's salon conversaziones introduce us to characters who are so interesting and lively...and menacing. Who could have stood their ground against the formidable Margaret Fuller? What a bear of a woman. Even Louisa Alcott made an appearance (love her), although sadly, we didn't hear much from her.
The subject of Mrs. Poe, Edgar's young wife, is a strange one. I did not know that he had married his cousin and that she was so young when they married. That's an intriguing story. I won't say too much so not to spoil the story. However, she was an odd character and I have to admit to getting mildly creeped out by her early on. For instance, she mimics the voice of Fanny Butler because she was not happy about her close interaction with her husband. Well, this gave me chills. Some excellent foreshadowing of what was to come.
Mrs. Poe is a terrific historical novel. The author presents a story of Poe that I believe has never been told and succeeds in giving us a picture of him that is much more refreshing than the rumors of the past. I admit that I have several of the author's books, but this is the first I've had a chance to read one of her novels. I'm very much looking forward to reading her previous works and her future offerings.
Another aspect of this book that I really enjoyed was the introduction of all the historical and literary figures to the story. Frances' visits to Anne Lynch's salon conversaziones introduce us to characters who are so interesting and lively...and menacing. Who could have stood their ground against the formidable Margaret Fuller? What a bear of a woman. Even Louisa Alcott made an appearance (love her), although sadly, we didn't hear much from her.
The subject of Mrs. Poe, Edgar's young wife, is a strange one. I did not know that he had married his cousin and that she was so young when they married. That's an intriguing story. I won't say too much so not to spoil the story. However, she was an odd character and I have to admit to getting mildly creeped out by her early on. For instance, she mimics the voice of Fanny Butler because she was not happy about her close interaction with her husband. Well, this gave me chills. Some excellent foreshadowing of what was to come.
Mrs. Poe is a terrific historical novel. The author presents a story of Poe that I believe has never been told and succeeds in giving us a picture of him that is much more refreshing than the rumors of the past. I admit that I have several of the author's books, but this is the first I've had a chance to read one of her novels. I'm very much looking forward to reading her previous works and her future offerings.
keelygorski's review against another edition
4.0
I really enjoyed this book, and found it most fascinating to read about Poe's love triangle. It definitely makes me want find some biographies and learn more about Poe, his wife who was his cousin that he married at age 13 (he was 26). Also, Mrs. Osgood.
I think what I found most fascinating was the Author's Note at the end of the book that listed Cullens research for her story, and what happened to everyone in the end. It is a sad tale, as sad as one of Poe's stories. Good read, though. I wanted to give it 5 stars, but the ending slowed down a bit, so 4 stars it is.
I think what I found most fascinating was the Author's Note at the end of the book that listed Cullens research for her story, and what happened to everyone in the end. It is a sad tale, as sad as one of Poe's stories. Good read, though. I wanted to give it 5 stars, but the ending slowed down a bit, so 4 stars it is.
cindykchen's review against another edition
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Loveable characters? No
3.0
armina_salemi's review against another edition
4.0
واقعیت اینه که شاهکار نبود، ولی احساس نزدیکی و علاقهی وافرم به کاراکتر ادگار الن پو باعث شد نتونم شرافتمندانه امتیاز بدم و چهار دادم. :))
demottar's review against another edition
I got about 60 pages in, and while it's not the worst book I've read, there's just very little substance. There's too much historic name dropping with little to no character development for Fanny and Poe.