Inspired by literature's most haunting love triangle, award-winning author Lynn Cullen delivers a pitch-perfect rendering of Edgar Allan Poe, his mistress's tantalizing confession, and his wife's frightening obsession in this new masterpiece of historical fiction to which Sara Gruen says, "Mrs. Poe had my heart racing...Don't miss it!"
1845: New York City is a sprawling warren of gaslit streets and crowded avenues, bustling with new immigrants and old money, optimism and opportunity, poverty and crime. Edgar Allan Poe's "The Raven" is all the rage-the success of which a struggling poet like Frances Osgood can only dream. As a mother trying to support two young children after her husband's cruel betrayal, Frances jumps at the chance to meet the illustrious Mr. Poe at a small literary gathering, if only to help her fledgling career. Although not a great fan of Poe's writing, she is nonetheless overwhelmed by his magnetic presence-and the surprising revelation that he admires her work.
What follows is a flirtation, then a seduction, then an illicit affair...and with each clandestine encounter, Frances finds herself falling slowly and inexorably under the spell of her mysterious, complicated lover. But when Edgar's frail wife, Virginia, insists on befriending Frances as well, the relationship becomes as dark and twisted as one of Poe's tales. And like those gothic heroines whose fates are forever sealed, Frances begins to fear that deceiving Mrs. Poe may be as impossible as cheating death itself...
And don't miss the next captivating novel from Lynn Cullen-Twain's End-where the acclaimed author tells a fictionalized imagining of the relationship between iconic author Mark Twain and his personal secretary, Isabel Lyon.
Mrs. Poe was a fascinating, riveting read; I could not put it down once I started reading. I felt the author really brought nineteenth-century New York City to life in these pages and the way that society operated. It was especially interesting to read about the literary scene during this period and how the periodicals and publications worked.
I do not know much about Poe’s life and his works so it was an interesting perspective and introduction to his character. I always thought him a grim character from what I knew but the author really made him a three-dimensional, flesh-and blood individual. Intense, certainly (especially when it came to Frances), but human with his own shortcomings and baggage.
Edgar and Frances’ relationship was pretty electric in this novel, it was fascinating to watch these two characters slowly gravitate towards each other, struggling to make sense of their feelings and, from Frances’ perspective, figure out what was the right thing to do. Again, I do not know much about Frances Osgood but she felt like a realistic character as well, especially as the reader is watching everything unfold from her perspective. She’s a tough character, especially considering the circumstances she was left with at the start of the novel.
Overall, I really enjoyed reading Mrs. Poe, I think it’s definitely worth checking out if you’re into historical fiction and romance set in the nineteenth century.
You can read this review in its entirety over at eclectictales.com: http://www.eclectictales.com/blog/2013/09/16/review-mrs-poe/
