With this weekend’s release of The Raven and my recent release, both in Kindle and paperback, of Finding Poe, I thought it might be fun to take a look at the legacy Poe left behind when he died so mysteriously in 1849.
When I originally conducted my research for Finding Poe, I found it interesting how many people had attempted to complete his unfinished work “The Lighthouse”. Upon deeper investigation, I found that Poe was the basis for a good amount of popular fiction (see this link for a lengthy list) and, moreover, that I was not anywhere close to being the first person to come up with the idea of integrating concepts from Poe’s work into an original story about him. The 2006 film, The Death of Poe is a great example of a work offering a similar theme.
I knew I had my work cut out for me, but I was also determined to bring something fresh and unique to the table with Finding Poe.
Though he has been gone for 163 years, Poe has left a lasting impact on both the deductive mystery and the Gothic romance. The Poe House and Museum in Baltimore showcases what we love most about his work, although a lack of state funding may jeopardize the future of that establishment (you can send donations to its curator if you are interested in preserving this historic monument). Poe’s works are readily available through websites such as OnlineLiterature.com, and Kindle versions of his work, many of which are also free, are available through Amazon.
I knew I had my work cut out for me, but I was also determined to bring something fresh and unique to the table with Finding Poe.
Though he has been gone for 163 years, Poe has left a lasting impact on both the deductive mystery and the Gothic romance. The Poe House and Museum in Baltimore showcases what we love most about his work, although a lack of state funding may jeopardize the future of that establishment (you can send donations to its curator if you are interested in preserving this historic monument). Poe’s works are readily available through websites such as OnlineLiterature.com, and Kindle versions of his work, many of which are also free, are available through Amazon.
| Unfortunately, pre-release reviews for The Raven have been shaky, although the current buzz on Twitter (I could not find the originating link) quotes Stephen King as asserting, “John Cusack is brilliant as Poe.” With that said, David Germain of the Associated Press writes, “Cusack makes a terrible Poe,” adding that the film is a “pile of cinematic bird poo.” According to the Washington Post, “Other than some stylishly gothic visuals crafted by director James McTeigue (V for Vendetta), The Raven is an unimaginative mess whose superficial appropriations of Poe’s devilish yarns are deeply unworthy of the author.” Joe Neumaier of the New York Daily News calls it “ridiculous” and a “wannabe Sherlockian thriller.” Michael Phillips of the Chicago Tribune gives it a measly two stars, bemoaning, “The Raven squanders a promising scenario while half-burying Cusack's mercurial skills as a leading man with the wiles of a character actor.” Did that deter this avid Poe fan from seeing the film? Absolutely not—and I couldn’t disagree more with the critics’ initial assessment. I posted review of my own, setting the record straight. You can read it here. | |
So, with so many different takes on Poe, his works, and his continued place in pop culture, where does Finding Poe stand? Horror author Dana Fredsti writes, “Atmospheric, lush, and lyrical, Leigh M. Lane's Finding Poe is a haunting Gothic novel which will delight anyone familiar with the works of Edgar Allan Poe, as well as anyone who enjoys an evocative and classic tale of terror.” I’d like to hear from all of you too: What do you think makes Finding Poe stand out among the wave of contemporary Poe-inspired works? Don’t have your copy yet? It’s only $3.99 on Kindle. Don’t have a Kindle? Download this free app to read Kindle books on your PC, Tablet, or Smart Phone. Better yet, get your paperback copy right now, while it’s on sale for $7.91—that’s 28% off the list price.
Leave your thoughts on Finding Poe for your chance to win some fun SWAG. Up for grabs are sets of refrigerator magnets, signed Finding Poe postcards, and a signed paperback copy of the novel. Thanks for stopping by!
Leave your thoughts on Finding Poe for your chance to win some fun SWAG. Up for grabs are sets of refrigerator magnets, signed Finding Poe postcards, and a signed paperback copy of the novel. Thanks for stopping by!
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