
Edgar Allan Poe
The Ambiguity of Death
by Giuseppe Cafiero
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Pub Date Sep 13 2015 | Archive Date Feb 29 2016
Description
Giuseppe Cafiero presents the most intriguing biography of one of America's most enduring writers: poet, author and critic Edgar Allan Poe. The beloved master of mystery and the macabre, Poe’s life and work is explored through the creation of memories, recriminations, intense loves and of delicate devotions.
Using the form of literary nonfiction, Cafiero successfully structures this memoir in the style of a traditional fiction narrative. Introducing the reader to the character, The Reporter, whose story is a mirror in which it’s possible to contemplate what is unreasonably hidden and infinitely ambiguous in the existence and in the writing of Edgar Allan Poe.
After Poe’s infamous death, the reporter attempts to investigate the life and writing of Poe by attending a meeting at the Old Swan Tavern in Richmond. Invited to the interview is archrival Reverend Rufus Wilmot Griswold and one of the last to see Poe before his death, Dr J. Evans Snodgrass. The reporter not only discovers the accusations of life filled with alcoholism, opium addiction, violence and womanising but also begins to understand that this painful dark existence is not the antithesis to great writing. This is confirmed when the investigation continues with the meeting of an array of people by the reporter who divulge more information on the life of Poe and why many became the protagonists in his stories.
This surreal bio-fiction of the life of nineteenth century American writer, father of detective fiction, Edgar Allan Poe, brings to life a solidly constructed psychological portrait of the writer through the characters in his works. Each of the stories is accompanied by the gloriously gothic Illustrations by acclaimed Italian artist Sergio Poddighe.
Perhaps this is the only way to pay tribute to a writer who has indelibly marked the nineteenth century.
A Note From the Publisher
eBook also available $6.99USD 9781925271928
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Available Editions
EDITION | Paperback |
ISBN | 9781925271959 |
PRICE | $14.99 (USD) |
Average rating from 18 members
Featured Reviews

I am a life-long fan of Poe and will devour anything about or by the author. This was no exception. I love the author's presentation style, in that this read more like a novel than a dry biography. I will be recommending this to both my Poe fans and my biography fans as I think it would satisfy both.

An interesting twist to the story of EAP. I have loved his stories for many many years, so I am always looking for another fresher look at his life. This one is that for sure. The author, Giuseppe Cafiero, sets up the story with a journalist listening to Snodgrass and Griswold talking about Poe after his death. Gossip in a bar, with details of his parents and upbringing after their death. Afterwards, he goes into a search and touches on some of the stories and poems, and uses letters and such to "research" more of what he learned in the bar. As mentioned, it is an interesting twist, and quite fun to follow the journalist's search. Would recommend. The only thing I wished for was more of EAP's voice.
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