Jennifer M. (Kaydence) reviewed on + 380 more book reviews
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.
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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