The Poe Shadow: A Novel
 

The Poe Shadow

by Matthew Pearl

“I present to you . . . the truth about this man’s death and my life.”

Baltimore, 1849. The body of Edgar Allan Poe has been buried in an unmarked grave. The public, the press, and even Poe’s own family and friends accept the conclusion that Poe was a second-rate writer who met a disgraceful end as a drunkard. Everyone, in fact, seems to believe this except a young Baltimore lawyer... (read more)

Top tags: mysteryhistorical fictionsuspensefictionedgar allan poe (all tags)

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Most Helpful Reviews

Liked It

1 of 1 members found this review helpful.
miyu faraway
  • Rated 5 stars

this is a book that i feel should not be described,because of its uniqueness,closeness to reality and hidden beauty of craft and suspense,Mathew pearl reveals the truth behind a great authors sad demise with the help of his own creation, a mastermind dupin.this is a mystery whose clues are too real to beleive,one which can prove life to be often stranger than fiction

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Didn’t Like It

1 of 1 members found this review helpful.
DoubtfulMuse
  • Rated 2 stars

This book was maddening because I think the author is talented and I wanted to like it, but it seemed to get slower with each page. I finally gave up about 3/4 of the way through.

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Community:
  • Rated 3.047337 stars
Amazon:
  • Rated 3.714286 stars
 

Newest Comments

  • Ruth G

    ruth g said:

    Started this book but got bored and quit. Is this book worth reading all the way through?

    posted Thursday, March 20 2008 ( | view 2 replies )
  • Deborah F

    deborah f said:

    Never could really enjoy this book. In fact, I found it irritating and couldn't wait to finish it. I only finished it because I wanted to like it. The convolutions of the plot were so distorted and extravagant, completely unbelievable. The characters were overblown and unreal. Cannot recommend this at all, even if you otherwise enjoy historical fiction.

    posted Thursday, January 17 2008
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