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librarianlizreads's review against another edition
5.0
I read this a couple of years ago. I love this book so much! Poe is one of my all time favorite authors and taking a look into his life (even if it is completely fake) made me so happy! If you take it for what it is, it is such a fun read! I do recommend.
mbenzz's review against another edition
3.0
I read this only because it was this month's Book Club selection, otherwise, I never would have given it a second glance. This was a strange book for me. I didn't love it, but I didn't hate it. I was pretty 'Meh' about it the whole time. At any point throughout this book, I could have put it down and never picked it up again, and I would have been perfectly content. This is the fault of the subject and characters, though...not because of the writing.
I will say, I thought this book was very well written. The story moves a little slow in the beginning, but it does pick up. Just be patient. It was the characters I really didn't care for. Before reading this, I knew nothing of Edgar Allen Poe other then he was the author of 'The Raven'. He's not someone I was ever interested in learning more about, and now that I'm finished with this book, I will read no more about him. I found the back and fourth between him and Frances to be exhausting. You want to stay away from him to prevent scandal, yet you hang out with he and his wife every single time you're invited?
And the wife...the REAL Mrs. Poe. She was something else. WHY would Fanny continue to visit this woman who was becoming more and more openly hostile towards her? Every time Virginia would show up at the Bartlett's, she was welcomed in. Everyone was just so politely fake. I realize it's the time period...people in the mid to late 1800's were very uppity and moral. They wouldn't dream of discussing how they REALLY feel, otherwise Fanny would have told Reverend Griswold to go f**k himself on numerous occasions.
Overall, for me at least, it was a totally forgettable book. As I said, I didn't love it, but I didn't hate it. I finished it because I had to, and that's the only reason. If you're a fan of Poe or this time period, then this is probably right up your alley and you'll love it, but I'm a fan of neither, so I didn't.
I will say, I thought this book was very well written. The story moves a little slow in the beginning, but it does pick up. Just be patient. It was the characters I really didn't care for. Before reading this, I knew nothing of Edgar Allen Poe other then he was the author of 'The Raven'. He's not someone I was ever interested in learning more about, and now that I'm finished with this book, I will read no more about him. I found the back and fourth between him and Frances to be exhausting. You want to stay away from him to prevent scandal, yet you hang out with he and his wife every single time you're invited?
And the wife...the REAL Mrs. Poe. She was something else. WHY would Fanny continue to visit this woman who was becoming more and more openly hostile towards her? Every time Virginia would show up at the Bartlett's, she was welcomed in. Everyone was just so politely fake. I realize it's the time period...people in the mid to late 1800's were very uppity and moral. They wouldn't dream of discussing how they REALLY feel, otherwise Fanny would have told Reverend Griswold to go f**k himself on numerous occasions.
Overall, for me at least, it was a totally forgettable book. As I said, I didn't love it, but I didn't hate it. I finished it because I had to, and that's the only reason. If you're a fan of Poe or this time period, then this is probably right up your alley and you'll love it, but I'm a fan of neither, so I didn't.
book_concierge's review against another edition
2.0
Historical fiction that focuses on the relationship between Frances Osgood, a poetess, and Edgar Allan Poe, newly famous for “The Raven,” and complicated by the attempts at friendship between Poe’s wife and Frances.
Well, I wanted to like this. I enjoy historical fiction, and especially those works that explore a little-known coincidence or relationship. Cullen clearly did much research into her two main characters. There is more information available about Poe, as he was the more famous writer and his works are still taught in high school English classes today. But there is much misinformation about Poe; his first “biographer” was his rival Rufus Griswold, who wrote out-and-out lies in an effort to besmirch Poe’s reputation (and perhaps, elevate his own). Osgood’s story is less well-known, but her poetry remains, and in the author’s notes at the end of the novel, Cullen states that she tried to let Osgood’s and Poe’s own writings “speak for themselves.”
I just never really felt any love between them. I got tired of the longing and yearning and attempts to stay apart, only to be inextricably drawn together. I never could figure out the role of Virginia, Poe’s wife (and younger cousin). I think this is in part a result of Cullen’s doing down the path of “dark, mysterious, horror” that everyone associates with Poe. She states in her author’s notes that she never intended for this to be a dark tale, but that Poe’s story just naturally led in that direction. I wish she has found a way to resist that pull. The result is that this is neither a good “mystery / suspense” story nor a good love story.
I never knew about the connection between these two; heck, I didn’t know anything about Frances Osgood at all. I’m glad to have learned a little about it, though I learned much more from the author’s notes than from the novel itself.
Well, I wanted to like this. I enjoy historical fiction, and especially those works that explore a little-known coincidence or relationship. Cullen clearly did much research into her two main characters. There is more information available about Poe, as he was the more famous writer and his works are still taught in high school English classes today. But there is much misinformation about Poe; his first “biographer” was his rival Rufus Griswold, who wrote out-and-out lies in an effort to besmirch Poe’s reputation (and perhaps, elevate his own). Osgood’s story is less well-known, but her poetry remains, and in the author’s notes at the end of the novel, Cullen states that she tried to let Osgood’s and Poe’s own writings “speak for themselves.”
I just never really felt any love between them. I got tired of the longing and yearning and attempts to stay apart, only to be inextricably drawn together. I never could figure out the role of Virginia, Poe’s wife (and younger cousin). I think this is in part a result of Cullen’s doing down the path of “dark, mysterious, horror” that everyone associates with Poe. She states in her author’s notes that she never intended for this to be a dark tale, but that Poe’s story just naturally led in that direction. I wish she has found a way to resist that pull. The result is that this is neither a good “mystery / suspense” story nor a good love story.
I never knew about the connection between these two; heck, I didn’t know anything about Frances Osgood at all. I’m glad to have learned a little about it, though I learned much more from the author’s notes than from the novel itself.
sksrenninger's review against another edition
3.0
Definitely spooky, but I couldn't understand how the main character fell in love with Poe. I wish that had been better developed.
colleengeedrumm's review against another edition
4.0
Really liked this book with the insight it gave into the times. I was impressed with the New York literati and social conventions. I wish we knew more, but seams the author did do the characters justice. It really makes me wonder about these people and their lives. Some of it which is not so happy. I would like to read more works by all the writers mentioned in this story.
I received this book for free in a GoodReads giveaway by Simon & Schuster - no influence on review.
Our soul is as much a part of us as our hands and our voice, yet we are terrified to acknowledge it. Why is that?
I received this book for free in a GoodReads giveaway by Simon & Schuster - no influence on review.
Our soul is as much a part of us as our hands and our voice, yet we are terrified to acknowledge it. Why is that?
danne789's review against another edition
4.0
I'm giving it a 4 start, but honestly, I'd say more like 3.7. It was a fun read. I think the author did a good job tying in actual history. The twist was fun. There was just a lot of no I can't do this, but oh I love you and want you, but no, we musn't. It got old.
postallyyours's review against another edition
Only got a few chapters in before I realized I did not enjoy the tone of the story. It reads too contemporary
annalynpoulsen's review against another edition
So when I first went to read this book, I was a little skeptical that I would like it since I mostly enjoy young adult books. I then started reading this book and fell in love with the book immediately!! It was nothing like what I expected and loved the drama and all the random turn of events. Lynn Cullen came up with a beautiful idea when she decided to add Mrs. Osgood into Edgar’s life. Beautifully written, I highly recommend this book to everyone and it was a great read to finish off my 2017 year.
geisttull's review against another edition
3.0
This was an interesting read. It did drag a little but I enjoyed reading about the authors of the time. I looked up a lot online to verify what parts were true.