Edgar A. Poe: Mournful and Never-ending Remembrance

Author - Kenneth Silverman ... [Goo?] [Posters]

This Paperback Book item from Harper Perennial was reviewed on 12-Dec-2008.

Search ISBN:0060923318 offer from Abebooks or used books from Alibris. Edgar A. Poe: Mournful and Never-ending Remembrance Reference Book. Classifications : Authors Arts & Literature Biographies & Memoirs Subjects Books General Biographies & Memoirs Subjects Books General AAS Biographies & Memoirs Subjects Books General History & Criticism United States W . Click the following link to view the cover of Edgar A. Poe: Mournful and Never-ending Remembrance.

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1) Paperback Book Edgar A. Poe: Mournful and Never-ending Remembrance by Harper Perennial. What a mess! Poe was a walking basket case, barely functional as a human being, at least as described by Silverman.

Its amazing that there can be so many gaps of months, even years, in the source documentation about a major historical figure of just over 150 years ago. We know more about some historical figures 2,000 years old than we do about Poe.¤

2) Paperback Book Edgar A. Poe: Mournful and Never-ending Remembrance by Harper Perennial. If you have a sincere interest in Edgar Allan Poe, you must read Silverman´s biography of Poe! It is well-researched, comprehensive, and written in an accessible, understandable way (just what you´d expect from a Pulitzer Prize winner). Silverman lays down all the facts, but also makes the reader aware of the complexities of Poe´s story, admitting there are certain fuzzy areas. The book interweaves Poe´s life with his work, the background of the 19th century American publishing industry, and critical interpretations both contemporary and modern. Silverman has admitted he was not a Poe fan before setting out to write this book but I admit that it comes across a bit biased against Poe; Silverman finds a few opportunities to paint Poe as a "bad guy" even when the judgment is not shared by other biographers. Incredibly thorough and an enjoyable read, read this biography alongside the one written by Arthur Hobson Quinn and you almost certainly will find the true depiction of Poe somewhere in the middle.¤

3) Paperback Book Edgar A. Poe: Mournful and Never-ending Remembrance by Harper Perennial.
This is an excellent, highly detailed and informative biography of one of the greatest American authors and poets.

Poe´s life was rough from the start. His parents (David and Eliza) left him early, his father through abandonment, his mother through an early death. Young Poe was sent to live with surrogate parents, the "father" being John Allan, a wealthy merchant who wanted Poe to be something more (or at least something different) than Poe himself wanted to be.

Silverman pulls no punches, painting a most realistic and unbiased account of Poe´s life. For example, he tells of Poe´s troubles in his early college years, with Poe blaming his troubles on the parsimonious John Allan. In reality, however, much of Poe´s troubles were caused by Poe himself, via his gambling, his habit of breaking promises, of borrowing and not repaying, and so on.

Silverman covers Poe´s Army serivce, telling of young Edgar as Sergeant Major of Artillery, of Poe´s few months at West Point (he did not graduate), of his work as a magazine writer, editor, and critic, and of Poe´s most memorable triumphs--including the publication of the poem THE RAVEN, a masterpiece for which Poe is perhaps best known. Silverman also tells of Poe´s almost constant grinding poverty, his relationships with women and family members, his struggles to start his own magazine, his depression, his alcoholism, and much more.

My overall sense from reading this bio is that Poe was certainly a tragic figure, recognized by many during his time for being a literary genius, but not often rewarded as such. Then again, Poe´s boorish, drunken behavior, his near constant begging for money, his failure to repay his debts (not to mention his almost complete lack of a business sense) certainly did not help him gain positive recognition. It seems, in fact, that Poe was often his own worst enemy.¤

4) Paperback Book Edgar A. Poe: Mournful and Never-ending Remembrance by Harper Perennial. Poor Poe suffered a great deal of personal tragedy. Silverman´s account is probably the best current critical bio around.¤

5) Paperback Book Edgar A. Poe: Mournful and Never-ending Remembrance by Harper Perennial. i loved the honest attempt in this work to deal with Poe´s alleged alcoholism,something hinted at or dealt scantily with in other biographies. As if a writer would somehow be afraid that by dealing with the alcoholism issue,Poe´s works could be downgraded.(NOT POSSIBLE!!)The way this biography is presented,Poe comes off as being a seedy,yet noble character in a real life Poe tale,so as life imitates art.Lots of goodies here in this biography,if you only read 1 biography a year make this one your project.the Foster Brooks moments keep the book rolling.still this a serious work on a serious,interesting personality. Who was the real Poe,the writer,the philosopher,the seeker of beauty in all its forms,or the at times petty,vice driven man of ambition.From reading this book i would say Poe was both and maybe more as well.Ithank Poe everytime I have to absorb criticism of my amateurish attempts at poetry,i in turn read my critics material and say "well your poems aren´t exactly "The Raven" either!! Poe may have been a "binge" type alcoholic,sober most of the time and then losing control at times,this would explain the discrepancies from descriptions of him as noted by numerous sources.Being sober 99% of the time,that other 1% can get you every time.Also covered in this book is a good description of Poe´s service in the United States Army as an artillery seargent.Most people don´t realize that he served 2 years with honors and i wouldn´t have wanted to be on the receiving end of a cannon sighted and calculated by Poe!If in the .5 of the 1% chance he was inebriated even less.¤

6) Paperback Book Edgar A. Poe: Mournful and Never-ending Remembrance by Harper Perennial. From a Pulitzer-Prize winning biographer, the most revealing, fascinating, and important biography of one of our greatest literary figures.¤

Page Updated: Robert N. Goolsby, 9-Jan-2009, 00609233189780060923310, 180-290-770-090-870-900-8

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