Book Review: Mrs. Poe by Lynn Cullen #50bookpledge

About the Book:

A vivid and compelling novel about a woman who becomes entangled in an affair with Edgar Allan Poe—at the same time she becomes the unwilling confidante of his much-younger wife.

It is 1845, and Frances Osgood is desperately trying to make a living as a writer in New York; not an easy task for a woman—especially one with two children and a philandering portrait painter as her husband. As Frances tries to sell her work, she finds that editors are only interested in writing similar to that of the new renegade literary sensation Edgar Allan Poe, whose poem, “The Raven” has struck a public nerve.

She meets the handsome and mysterious Poe at a literary party, and the two have an immediate connection. Poe wants Frances to meet with his wife since she claims to be an admirer of her poems, and Frances is curious to see the woman whom Edgar married.

As Frances spends more and more time with the intriguing couple, her intense attraction for Edgar brings her into dangerous territory. And Mrs. Poe, who acts like an innocent child, is actually more manipulative and threatening than she appears. As Frances and Edgar’s passionate affair escalates, Frances must decide whether she can walk away before it’s too late...

Set amidst the fascinating world of New York’s literati, this smart and sexy novel offers a unique view into the life of one of history’s most unforgettable literary figures

About the Author:

Lynn Cullen grew up in Fort Wayne, Indiana, the fifth girl in a family of seven children. She learned to love history combined with traveling while visiting historic sites across the U.S. on annual family camping trips. She attended Indiana University in Bloomington and Fort Wayne, and took writing classes with Tom McHaney at Georgia State. She wrote children’s books as her three daughters were growing up, while working in a pediatric office and later, at Emory University on the editorial staff of a psychoanalytic journal. While her camping expeditions across the States have become fact-finding missions across Europe, she still loves digging into the past. She does not miss, however, sleeping in musty sleeping bags. Or eating canned fruit cocktail. She now lives in Atlanta with her husband, their dog, and two unscrupulous cats.

Lynn Cullen is the author of The Creation of Eve, named among the best fiction books of 2010 by The Atlanta Journal-Constitution and as an April 2010 Indie Next selection. She is also the author of numerous award-winning books for children, including the young adult novel I Am Rembrandt’s Daughter, which was a 2007 Barnes & Noble “Discover Great New Writers” selection, and an ALA Best Book of 2008. Her novel, Reign of Madness, about Juana the Mad, daughter of the Spanish Monarchs Isabella and Ferdinand, was chosen as a 2011 Best of the South selection by the Atlanta Journal Constitution and was a 2012 Townsend Prize finalist. Her newest novel, MRS. POE, examines the fall of Edgar Allan Poe through the eyes of poet Francis Osgood.

My Review of the Book:

The Mrs. Poe is fabulous!  Yes, I had to get straight to the point first.  I did not want there to be any questions at all about if I recommend Mrs. Poe or not.  I happened to be at work one day and came across a shipment of new books for the library.  The cover on this book caught my attention and I decided to see what the book was about.  I had never read anything by Lynn Cullen before, but I did know who Edgar Allen Poe was from English both in high school and university!  I have to admit though, I knew nothing about his life outside of him being a poet.  

Mrs. Poe is historical fiction, but it was fun to learn there was quite a bit of truth to the book as well.  Some of the information that was told in the book can be found and researched within the literary world, but of course we can not know the whole story of what happened in their lives back in the 1800's.  I loved the story Lynn Cullen told and her interpretation of the love triangle that many believed to be true.  However, even if you did not believe in the love triangle or if your not even interested in Edgar Allen Poe or anything to do with his life I would still recommend to get a copy of Mrs. Poe.  I guarantee it will be a fascinating book to read and without a doubt keep one entertained.  

Personally I found the book hard to put down and definitely moved it to one of my top books for reader recommendations to family, friends  or anyone in general looking for a new great book to read.  I am looking forward to checking out other books by Lynn Cullen!






Views expressed are 100% my own and not influenced in anyway.  I was not supplied anything in exchange for this review.