Mrs. Poe

MRS. POE REVIEW Book reviews should be tight and focused but sometimes authors don’t allow it. So it is with Lynn Cullen. Cullen might be my favorite author of fictional history because she has mastered the complexities involved with writing fictitious accounts of actual events. She conducts immense amounts of research and grubs out minute details about the essence and qualities of the real characters. Then her findings allow her to reimagine the events as they probably occurred. She has said that she wants to make sure that everything that happens in her novels could have actually happened in real life without the bending of facts. This creative talent allows her to formulate novels that stimulate attention and conversation (reviews?). Cullen’s novel, “Mrs. Poe,” about the complex relationship between the poet Edgar Allen Poe and author, Frances Osgood was prompted by her curiosity and the necessity to make some money to support her struggling family. When Cullen uncovered rumors of an illicit affair between the two famous writers, she believed that the telling of Osgood’s battle with her emotions and the unrelenting pressure from Poe to enter into an imprudent relationship, was the perfect vehicle for airing her own determination to survive. The author claims that she wasn’t actually writing a biography, but used the information she uncovered to put the characters together to “see what sparks fly.” Frances Osgood (1811-1850) was an American poet and one of the most popular women writers of her time. Abandoned by her husband, she became involved in the New York City society scene. She eventually met Edgar Allen Poe (1809–1849), an American writer best known for his mysterious poetry and short stories. He was haunted by his own disorders, largely self-inflicted due to his stubbornness and argumentative personality. Even as she struggled with her loneliness and feelings of betrayal, she recognized her romantic interest. Poe, who often sought the solace of other women, publicly raved about her work and persisted on invading her privacy, thus providing fodder for NYC society’s rumor mill. Virginia Poe (1822-1847), the wife of Edgar Allen Poe, was also his first cousin. They married when she was 13 and Poe was 27. Their relationship was both loving and troubled, disrupted mainly by Poe’s philandering. Although Virginia Poe idolized her husband, the rumors about her husband’s affairs with Frances Osgood and other women greatly affected her. Some reports indicate their marriage was never consummated and that she died a virgin. Virginia was aware of his friendship with Frances Osgood and might have encouraged it, but some accounts have her more distressed with her husband’s attraction to Elizabeth Ellet, who Mrs. Poe allegedly debased on her deathbed, saying, “Mrs. E. has been my murderer.” She died from tuberculosis at 24. Cullen has produced a marvelous story full of fascinating characters and atmospheric brilliance. She has managed to give the reader a polished look at a complicated relationship without confusion or boredom. I can only hope I have done the same with this desultory review. Schuyler T Wallace Author of TIN LIZARD TALES

I have been looking forward to reading this book just based on the title. I didn't read any reviews or description. I was expecting the book to biography and historical fiction based on the life of Mrs. Virginia Poe and her relationship with her husband, Edgar Allan. Though I was wrong, I still enjoyed it immensely. Instead, it is the story of the creepy love triangle with Mrs. Poe as the seeming villain. Set in New York City between 1845-1847, the book is a re-creation of the affair between Mr. Poe and Mrs. Frances Osgood. However, historians differ on the veracity of the affair. Poe is riding the wave of success of his poem The Raven--a work he dislikes. Frances Osgood is a struggling poet and short story writer with minor success. She is trying to support two young daughters on her own since her husband, a portrait artist is a cheat. At the time of the book, he has been absent for months and living with some rich woman. She is living with friends who have troubles of their own. She meets Poe at a literary gathering and mutual sparks fly. His frail and much younger wife is also in attendance, along with her mother, Poe's aunt. Poe married his cousin when she was 13 years old. Mrs. Poe is very perceptive and realizes the attraction between the two. Choosing to keep her enemy close, she frequently requests that Frances visit her. Mrs. Poe is ill with consumption (tuberculosis) and uses this to her advantage. Mrs. Poe is portrayed like a 19th century version of Glenn Close in Fatal Attraction. Frances is as fearful of Mrs. Poe as she is attracted to Mr. Poe. She tries to resist him, but she cannot stay away. They both take risks that have terrible social consequences, especially for Frances. Mrs. Osgood is convinced that Mrs. Poe will stop at nothing to destroy her and her family. In addition to the push and pull of the romance, there are some wonderful twists that I never saw coming. The book does not have a happy ending for anyone. Though much of the book may be speculative, it was a gripping story and a real page turner. The minor characters were well known poets, artists, and innovators of the time. It was interesting to think of them as secondary characters though they were famous in their own right. The descriptions of the growth of NYC from farmland to big city (watch out for the roving pigs!) was fun. The author also shed light on many of the social problems of the day such as poverty, immigration, marriage vs free love, and the treatment of women as their husband's property. An unfaithful wife suffered social ostracism and the potential loss of everything including her children while an unfaithful husband was more tolerable. I am waivering between 4 and 4.5 stars on this book. It was a quick and compelling read. The writing is solid with bonus points for not making the romantic anguish between Poe and Osgood too overwrought or cloying. I will definitely be reading Ms. Cullen's newest book, Twain's End.

I really enjoyed this book as I didn't know too much about Alan Edgar Poe and nothing about Fanny. I found it a fascinating read and thought it described the time very well. Even bought a copy to give away.

Frances Osgood lebt mit ihren beiden Töchtern bei einer befreundeten Familie, da ihr Mann Samuel sich als Porträtmaler lieber mit anderen Frauen beschäftigt. Ihre unglückliche Situation hat auch negativen Einfluss auf ihr dichterisches Dasein. Währenddessen ist Edgar Allan Poe mit seinem Gedicht „Der Rabe“ in aller Munde. Auch Frances ist neugierig auf diesen mysteriösen Mann, dessen kritischer Ruf ihm voraus eilt. Als sie sich bei einer Abendveranstaltung kennenlernen, verfallen sei einander und beginnen eine innige Affäre. Die Gefühle, die sie beide füreinander hegen, bleiben nicht lange unbemerkt - auch nicht von Poes fragiler Frau Virginia. Auch wenn Frances versucht, die Fassade aufrecht zu erhalten, wird sie von Virginia durchschaut - und diese wird trotz ihrer körperlichen Schwäche um ihren Mann kämpfen. Sobald die erste Seite aufgeschlagen ist, wird der Leser von einem Schreibstil umhüllt, der sprachlich wunderschön ist und in die aufregende Zeit des 19. Jahrhunderts entführt. Die Autorin erschafft eine Atmosphäre so real, als wenn man selbst durch die Straßen des damaligen New York spaziert. Frances ist eine sehr sympathische, angenehme und vor allem authentische Protagonistin. Als Mutter von zwei Kindern versucht sie ohne die Unterstützung ihres Mannes mit dem Schreiben Geld zu verdienen. Eine gesellschaftlich verpönte Affäre mit Poe macht ihr Leben nicht leichter und ihren Geist nicht offener für neue Geschichten. Doch die Leidenschaft hat sie beide gepackt. Der innere Konflikt von Frances ist dem Leser mehr als deutlich und baut eine emotionale Bindung zur Hauptfigur auf. Auch Mr. und Mrs. Poe sind wunderbar ausgearbeitete Charaktere; Poe scheint unnahbar und doch so gefühlvoll, seine Frau scheint krank und schwach und doch so gerissen. Die Beziehung zwischen diesen drei Personen ist allgegenwärtig und stellt somit den Hauptkonflikt dar. Die historischen Fakten zur Zeit und zu den Persönlichkeiten der damaligen Literatur-Szene sind sehr gut recherchiert worden. Am Ende des Buches ist ein kurzes Interview mit der Autorin angehängt, in dem sie u.a. beschreibt, wie ihre Recherchearbeit abgelaufen ist - durchaus interessant zu lesen. Außerdem wurden auch noch einige Fragen und Anregungen zur Diskussion aufgelistet. Somit ist das Buch durchaus für eine Lesegruppe geeignet. Schlussendlich kann ich an dem Buch nichts bemängeln und hatte eine unglaublich schöne Zeit beim Lesen. Weitere Bücher der Autorin sind schon auf meine Wunschliste gewandert!

I can honestly say that I read this book in one day, yes the facts may not always be true and the author may have used her poetic licence, but this book was brilliant and dark at times. I have read a wondered about Mr Edgar Allan Poe's life and how he became so dark. it seems that this book may have answered a few questions for me. In short a great reader and one that I will read again.

loved the setting, loved the real characters , loved the love story/affair and the eccentricities of Mrs Poe and her mother. actually very scary in parts befitting a tale about Poe. highly recommended

Non so voi, ma io faccio fatica ad immaginare Poe come un "se*ual catnip" come lo definiscono qui. Certo, aveva il suo fascino, ma sembra che le signore gli si gettassero ai piedi ogni minuto della sua vita. Tra loro Frances Osgood, che nonostante abbia passato i 30, sia sposata con un pittore e abbia due figlie si innamora all'istante di lui, comportandosi per tutto il libro come un'adolescente alla prima cotta. I capitoli sono sempre strutturati nello stesso modo e capitano sempre le stesse scene in ogni capitolo. I colpi di scena che tendono più al gotico e ai racconti stessi di Poe sono prevedibili, e credo che in generale questo libro non giovi all'immagine pubblica di Poe, di sua moglie Virginia o di Frances.