Review first published on my blog: http://memoriesfrombooks.blogspot.com/2013/09/mrs-poe.html

Mrs. Poe is the story of Edgar Allen Poe, his wife Virginia, and Frances Sargent Osgood, a poet and children's author some say was involved with Edgar Allen Poe. She is known to have exchanged flirtatious letters through the Poe's literary journal. Historically, it is uncertain whether the two actually had a love affair.

The story begins shortly after the release of Edgar Allen Poe's poem The Raven, which has become the rage of New York. Virginia is Edgar's first cousin and also his very young, very ill wife. Frances "Fanny" Osgood is a struggling writer, who has been abandoned by her husband. She lives with friends and attempts to make a life for herself and her two young daughters.

Edgar and Fanny meet at an evening literary soiree. The friendship and attraction develops, as does a friendship between Frances and Virginia. The book proceeds on with numerous meetings between the two and all three of them. Repeatedly, Edgar and Frances stop short of taking their relationship further - out of concern for his wife, out of concern for her children, and out of concern for what people will say. Each time, the relationship goes a little bit further regardless of those concerns and regardless of the warnings of those around them.

Added to this is the role of Virginia's mother "Muddy" Clemm and the return of Frances' husband. The relationship and the word play continue between all those involved. The relationship builds and has ramifications for all those involved. The ending of the book moves forward and tells the reader what eventually happened to these individuals. A sad ending indeed.

I am familiar with Edgar Allen Poe, of course, but prior to reading this book, was not familiar with the rest of the main characters. I have not read anything previously about his life. It is an intriguing though sad story. It also includes some of the dark tones of Edgar Allen Poe's works - dramatic incidents to try and keep Edgar and Fanny apart.

The book falls a little short for me because it becomes a little repetitive. The nature of the relationship between Edgar Allen Poe and Fanny is that they meet; they feel a connection; they retreat due to societal bounds. They meet; the connection continues; they retreat. The focus of the book remains this interaction and not the development of the characters. This repetitive nature makes the book somewhat slow reading at times.

The book is, however, an interesting snapshot of a time and a place. The book references so many others of the literary and art community of New York at the time. I cannot vouch for the historical accuracy, but it's fun to read about characters such as Louisa May Alcott, Phineas Barnum, William Bryant, and Henry Wadsworth Longfellow.

*** Reviewed based on a galley received from the publisher in exchange for an honest review ***

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This book was inspired by literature's most haunting love triangle of Edgar Allan Poe, his mistress's tantalizing confession, and his wife's frightening obsession. In 1845 Poe's, The Raven, is all the rage in New York City. Frances Osgood goes to meet Mr. Poe at a literary gathering. She is overwhelmed by his magnetic presence and finds out that he admires her poetry. She finds herself falling under the spell of this mysterious, complicated lover. Mrs. Virgina Poe insists on being Osgood's friend. Frances begins to fear that deceiving Mrs. Poe may be as impossible as cheating death itself. The book is based on true events of Poe marrying Virginia who was his very young first cousin. I am a fan of Poe's poetry and stories but didn't realize what a romantic he was. I enjoyed this book as it shed more light on Poe's life and drew me in to get to know him even more. If you love history and poetry, give this book a try!

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At this point, I consider this book to be one of the most over-blown stories I've read in eons. This is truly 'too much about nothing.' I recognize that it is hard to write of strict moral attitudes in this permissive era, but I grew weary of the 'eye-catching glances' between Mrs. Osgood and Edgar Allen Poe. The story is nonstop romantic anguish between these two characters.

Mrs. Frances Osgood, a struggling writer of poetry and stories, has been abandoned by her husband for many months. She is alone with two young daughters; her husband has gone to live with a rich woman, as he paints portraits. Fortunately, Frances has a friend who allows the three of them to live with her and her family. This is New York in about 1845 and Edgar Allen Poe has become the talk of the town.

Frances meets Poe at a literary soiree and they are immediately attracted to each other. Poe married his cousin when she was 13; he is now in his mid-30s and she is about 23. Probably because of Virginia's precarious health, Poe, his wife, and her mother all reside together. Poe has a habit of writing terrible reviews of fellow writers/poets' works. When he boosts Frances' work to the writing community, people take notice.

The real Mrs. Poe is written as a villain, keeping the two lovers apart. Mrs. Poe is also dying of tuberculosis. Strangely, she senses the emotional relationship Poe and Frances are developing and she interjects herself between them -- and stays there.

The reason I rated this book 3.5 stars is because of the tremendous research done in this book. It really shows in the fascinating details about the city and the characters. Many famous people are secondary characters. However, the overblown drama was too much. Yet the author did not explain why Poe was so poor. There was no Copywrite law at the time and Poe was only paid $9 for 'The Raven.' Anyone could reprint that poem without the author earning another penny for it.

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Summary:
This is a fictional tale that focuses on Edgar Allen Poe and Frances Sargent Osgood. Poe has just published The Raven and is enjoying the sensationalism around his new popularity. He is married to Virginia who is very ill and the reader knows she will soon pass away. Frances Sargent Osgood is dealing with her philandering husband and is attempting to provide for her family by publishing poetry as well. When Poe proclaims that Osgood is less terrible than other American authors, they begin to meet each other in literary salons. They develop a friendship and share letters and poetry back and forth to one another. A romantic relationship begins to blossom under Virginia's initial pleasure, but Poe's life is always tragic (even in fiction).

My thoughts:
I'm disappointed that several people are reading this novel as if it should be historical instead of fiction. While this was one of my most anticipated books of the year, I went in to it with the idea that I would enjoy a romance with familiar characters and lots of cameo appearances. I've generally enjoyed the fiction that has been written with Poe being a main character. The fact that we know a lot of information about this prolific figure as well as a lot is shrouded in mystery, makes fictional interpretations regarding his life entertaining. I just don't get hung up on the fact that it is not real and is not proclaiming itself to be real. Frances stands out within the novel. As a female writer, it's interesting that she is as open as she is. I like the natural way the relationship builds between her and Poe. Their friendship (as it does not grow into love) is filled with poetry. The addition of poetry makes the reading pleasurable. Cullen has down a wonderful job blending verse and prose throughout the novel. It is beautifully written. There are some twists that I didn't really see coming, and oddly enough, one of those twists I felt was a determent to the overall story, but it would be a spoiler so you'll just have to read and see. It just went off to a place that I didn't care enough about while the main focus for me was Poe and Frances.

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