"Poe" Old Man
It's been raining ever so heavily for the last few weeks, and that has no doubt cast a gloom over many. Instead of trying to repel the cheerlessness, why not indulge in abit of "bleak lit"?
Take advantage of the grey, overcast skies and cold weather to snuggle up with one of Literature's favourite gothic horror maestros...Edgar Allan Poe.
Poe is an American writer and critic who is credited with refining the short story form and inventing the modern detective story, Poe has been denied the full respect due his accomplishments. The details of his life, rife with reports of gambling, drinking, addiction to opiates, and other profligate behavior, combined with his marriage to a 13-year-old cousin, have overshadowed his achievements, which include the publication of more than 350 poems, short stories, and critical reviews and essays, and his influence in creating a uniquely American form of literature, as well as his continuing influence on contemporary literature and culture.
Poe was born on January 19, 1809, Poe served two years in the army, with little hope of financial support from Allan, Poe worked to be expelled, and succeeded. After he left, he began his publishing efforts in earnest. His immediate literary influence was George Gordon, Lord Byron (1788–1824), whom he had emulated in wearing primarily black clothing and in his predilection toward melancholy subjects. Poe admired Byron both for his poetry and his rebelliousness. The influence of the Byronic personality and attitudes on Poe's work is found in his manner of dressing in dramatic black, as well as in letters, poems, and several tales. A few Poe characters are thinly veiled examples of the Byronic physiognomy and personality, most apparently in "The Assignation."
Check out today's featured eBook, an audio version, Classic Poe. This is an unabridged collection of some of his best works. This eBook is found in Overdrive, an eResource available for free through the NLB webpage, explore the thousands of other titles found here.
For lit buffs out there, be sure to check out Bloom's Literary Reference Online for a massive range of literary criticism essays by Poe and on Poe like this article by John Macinnon Robertson found here
Image reference: Taken from the image cover of "Classic Poe", Overdrive
Text reference:Critical Companion to Edgar Allan Poe. A Literary Reference to His Life and Work., Critical Companion. Bloom's Literary Reference Online