Streissguth, Tom. Edgar Allan Poe. Lerner, 2000. ISBN 0822549913. $25.26. 105 pp. A 5+ BI Reviewed by Annette Van Wagenen For years, Poe’s dark, mysterious stories have sent chills down the spines of readers both young and old. But what was the man behind the horror stories and poetry like? Streissguth’s book delves into the life of this masterful craftsman. Poe’s early life was spent in crowded rooms and drafty theaters. Following his mother’s death, he moved into a big, warm house in Richmond, Virginia with John Allen, one of his mother’s friends. Allen tried to help the very stubborn Poe, whose life would follow a path of twists and angry confrontations, but the two ended up severing their ties while Poe was attending the University of Virginia. This captivating biography shows a challenged Poe who struggled with depression, illness, bouts of anger, and drinking. Yet despite his many setbacks, he composed outstanding poetry and detective and horror stories. Poe strived to become famous and wealthy in his lifetime but died before reaching this goal. In the twentieth century, however, his strange, supernatural tales found a worldwide audience in a public who had forgotten the much more successful writers of his day. Poe is now recognized as a great writer. This book flows with interesting and informative material accompanied by authentic photographs.
