Module 12: Nevermore: A Photobiography of Edgar Allen Poe

Nevermore: A Photobiography of Edgar Allen Poe

by Karen E. Lange

published in 2009, by National Geographic (Washington, D.C.).

Summary

Lange goes over Poe's life and provides fascinating pictures of the people, places, and papers in his life.  Lange explains how his parents, the Poe's, were both performers.  His father abandoned the family and his mother soon died of tuberculosis when he was two.  He was taken in by John and Frances Allen, hence the name: Edgar Allen Poe.   However, Poe would disappoint John Allen and they parted on ill-terms, and when John Allen died, Poe received nothing.  He moved in with his now dead, father's sister, where he fell in love with his cousin, Virginia, and they were married when he was 27 and she was 13.  As a writer, and a drinker, he struggled financially for the rest of his life--especially after Virginia died from tuberculosis.

Impressions

The book is a quick read, and covers a lot of Poe's life. The pictures are fascinating which can help readers be more interest in Poe's life.  Lange does a great job recreating the tumultuous life that Poe led (without all the nitty-gritty details).  She also has the book in an easy to read layout.  

Reviews

"Illustrated with many period photographs as well as pictures of Poe-related places and artifacts, the book has varied, spacious page layouts in which shades of turquoise add color to some of the illustrations and backgrounds.  The jacket art, which features a photo of Poe's face, overlaid with lines of manuscript, peering outward of haunted eyes, will draw both fans of Poe and a new audience." -- Carolyn Phelan. (2009). Booklist. Retrieved from Bowker's Books in Print Professional database.

"The drama of Poe's tortured life unfolds in accessible prose.  Textual information is interspersed with photos, artistic interpretations, and revealing quotations presented in script...The books brevity and format render it a good addition for reports and background for an author study." --Renee Steinberg. (2009). School Library Journal. Retrieved from Bowker's Books in Print Professional database.

Uses

Nevermore could be used to inspire a poetry contest at the library for patrons of all ages.  There could be a short discussion about the book with a focus on his writings and what inspired him.  Following the discussion, there could be a poetry reading contest with a prize for each age group.  

Nevermore is also useful for biography reports as it is in an easy to read format.