Thanks Lori. Yes his work contemplates the fragility of life but also what lies beyond. In that poem he seems to blend them together. Very touching. He was not afraid to express his sense of anguish. A very interesting man.
Fabulous essay, Jules. Up until a few years ago, I had only read Poe’s short stories, so I was intrigued to pick up a slim volume of his poetry in an airport bookshop. Such a delight! The poetry really gives us a broader look into his artist’s mind. Thanks for this wonderful deep-dive.💙
Thanks Michael. Glad you enjoyed it. He's a fascinating writer isn't he? I think "The Raven" is a great poem. Marvellous rhythm - I can't resist reading it out loud! 🐦⬛
Excellent read, packed full of fascinating facts as usual, Jules. I've read some Poe, but I didn't know much about his life. Sad that he had so much loss, but clearly he used it to inspire his writing. I'm on tenterhooks, waiting to find out what happens in Part 2.
Love reading Poe and dark things on sunny days like this :) Your account is really wonderful. Something I could use with my older students to introduce him and get them excited about it.
Hi Kate! Yes Poe is great at any time, although probably best read on a stormy winter evening in front of a roaring fire if it's one if the gothic tales. 😃
Another excellent piece. Poe is, along with Twain, one of the few authors I’ve liked all my life. Also, it occurs to me, one of the few poets that still get me fired up when I’m just remembering poems they wrote. “The Bells”— lord, it’s good.
I don't know much actual Poe but he features in several excellent novels that I coincidentally enjoyed : Andrew Taylor's The American Boy, Louis Bayard's The Pale Blue Eye (excellent, also a good film), and Matthew Pearl's The Poe Shadow! He obviously fascinates other writers. Also he briefly went to school in the same town as the Macmillans, Irvine in Ayrshire!
Thanks for the recommendations Sarah. Yes Poe does seem to inspire fictional treatments from other writers: there was a film called "The Raven" in 2012 starring John Cusack that includes the real man in a fictionalised setting. I remember going to the cinema to see that one - quite good. I'll take a look at those books.
He went to Kirkgate Grammar School according to the North Ayrshire Heritage website. Small world! 😊
Your writing is brilliant Jules. My favorite of his is "The Dream."
Thanks Lori. Yes his work contemplates the fragility of life but also what lies beyond. In that poem he seems to blend them together. Very touching. He was not afraid to express his sense of anguish. A very interesting man.
Thankfully he channeled his pain in his poetry and left that gift behind for us all.
I never knew he’d written a poem called ‘To Helen’, I’m going to look it up now. Great article, looking forward to the next one
Thanks Helen! Glad you enjoyed it 😊
I don’t think there’s anything ‘meagre’ about your writing abilities! So interesting.
Bless you Sharon. Thank you for reading 🤗
Fabulous essay, Jules. Up until a few years ago, I had only read Poe’s short stories, so I was intrigued to pick up a slim volume of his poetry in an airport bookshop. Such a delight! The poetry really gives us a broader look into his artist’s mind. Thanks for this wonderful deep-dive.💙
Thanks Michael. Glad you enjoyed it. He's a fascinating writer isn't he? I think "The Raven" is a great poem. Marvellous rhythm - I can't resist reading it out loud! 🐦⬛
Excellent read, packed full of fascinating facts as usual, Jules. I've read some Poe, but I didn't know much about his life. Sad that he had so much loss, but clearly he used it to inspire his writing. I'm on tenterhooks, waiting to find out what happens in Part 2.
Thanks H2 - and for the restack 💛
Things get even stranger in Part 2. He certainly led an “interesting” life!
Glad you enjoyed it. He’s one of those writers who captures the imagination. Horror writers often do. It appears that we like being frightened!
Yes I enjoyed this look into Edager Allen Poe. Looking forward to part two
Thank you Diana!
Love reading Poe and dark things on sunny days like this :) Your account is really wonderful. Something I could use with my older students to introduce him and get them excited about it.
Hi Kate! Yes Poe is great at any time, although probably best read on a stormy winter evening in front of a roaring fire if it's one if the gothic tales. 😃
Another excellent piece. Poe is, along with Twain, one of the few authors I’ve liked all my life. Also, it occurs to me, one of the few poets that still get me fired up when I’m just remembering poems they wrote. “The Bells”— lord, it’s good.
Thanks Karl. Oh yes I read "The Bells" again while researching this. Brilliantly creepy.
A really engaging piece Jules. I’ve never read any of his work so will have to rectify this. Thank you as ever for enlightening me.
Thanks for reading as always. Glad you found it interesting Margaret 😊
I don't know much actual Poe but he features in several excellent novels that I coincidentally enjoyed : Andrew Taylor's The American Boy, Louis Bayard's The Pale Blue Eye (excellent, also a good film), and Matthew Pearl's The Poe Shadow! He obviously fascinates other writers. Also he briefly went to school in the same town as the Macmillans, Irvine in Ayrshire!
Thanks for the recommendations Sarah. Yes Poe does seem to inspire fictional treatments from other writers: there was a film called "The Raven" in 2012 starring John Cusack that includes the real man in a fictionalised setting. I remember going to the cinema to see that one - quite good. I'll take a look at those books.
He went to Kirkgate Grammar School according to the North Ayrshire Heritage website. Small world! 😊