Edgar Allan Poe: The Master of the Macabre

by Levi Lionel Leland

Step into the fascinating and gothic world of Edgar Allan Poe, the master of macabre, with this compelling literary biography that unravels his dark genius, iconic works, and enduring influence on gothic literature.

Discover the tumultuous life of Edgar Allan Poe, the legendary gothic author, marked by literary genius and personal tragedy, and explore the haunting themes that defined his timeless creations. From excerpts of his chilling tales like The Tell-Tale Heart and The Raven to insightful commentary and unforgettable quotes about and from Poe himself, this book paints a vivid portrait of the man behind the pen.

This beautifully curated book is both an inspiring biography and a celebration of literary brilliance. Whether you’re a longtime admirer of Poe or just beginning your literary adventure, Pocket Edgar Allan Poe will leave you fascinated, inspired, and longing for more.

Genres: Nonfiction, History

240 pages, Kindle Edition

Published September 23, 2025

Reviews

[Rory Fox · Rating 5 out of 5]

Edgar Allan Poe (d.1849) is one of the most well-known of American writers. Indeed, he is reputed to be the first American writer to have made his living by writing alone, although it should be added that he spent most of his life struggling in abject poverty.

This ‘pocket portrait’ is a relatively comprehensive introduction to his life and his writings. One of the features which it does particularly well, is to weave his works into the narrative of his life. So, chapters on biography are interspersed with extracts from famous poems and writings.

The book aims to be an honest ‘warts and all’ approach, so it doesn’t gloss over matters such as Poe’s problems with alcohol and his wedding to a thirteen year old Virginia Eliza Clemm. But it also avoids the prejudice and nastiness of his first biographer, Griswold, who we now know to have deliberately blackened Poe’s name with unfounded allegations and nonsense. This book actually achieves a good balance between honesty and hagiography.

Where I would have liked a little more detail is about some of his non-poetic works. Poe’s poems are well embedded in the book, and the author’s admiration of the poetry shines through the prose. But some of his non-poetic works are hardly mentioned at all. For example, his essay on ‘The Poetic Principle’, which was published shortly after his death, is an interesting and important work, as it explains much of Poe’s mindset and methodological principles for writing poetry. But there is no discussion of that essay.

However, I think this is where the focus of the series becomes apparent. This is an introductory book to Poe, rather than a more academic and in-depth analysis. So, its coverage is a little broad-brush stroke in places. That is absolutely fine, but its focus is not entirely clear from the blurb.

Overall, this is an enjoyable and engaging introduction to Poe’s life and writings. It is pitched to be accessible for readers with no prior experience or background in Poe and it includes indices and suggestions of further reading to help introductory readers. The prose is accessible to older school children but there are also adult themes around death and suicide, which are prompted by events in Poe’s life.

These are honest opinions on a free digital (ARC) version of the text, made available for the purpose of review.

[MKF · Rating 3 out of 5]

After a while you eventually get tired of the author saying...more on this later in almost every section.

[Chrystal Mahan · Rating 3 out of 5]

Edgar Allan Poe is one of my favorite authors and the core inspiration for my brand, Nevermore Lane, so naturally I was thrilled to receive an ARC of this beautifully designed biography. The book is part tribute, part literary sampler, giving readers a glimpse into Poe’s life along with selected quotes and short excerpts from his work.

It’s a quick, engaging read that highlights Poe’s tragedy-laced life and his contributions to gothic literature. I appreciated the layout and how the book tried to balance biography with bite-sized literary analysis.

That said, as someone familiar with Poe’s body of work, I found the book lacking the depth and psychological complexity I was hoping for. The book focuses on broad strokes and feels more like a gateway for new readers than a deep dive for longtime fans.

I would recommend it to those just beginning their journey into Poe’s world, or readers looking for a visually appealing keepsake. However, seasoned fans may crave more literary excavation and analysis than this volume offers.

[Jeatherhane Reads · Rating 4 out of 5]

This biography of the master of the macabre is a beautiful volume full of interesting accounts from his life and works. The writing is organized and informative. I received a digital galley, but this is a book I would purchase to keep on my shelves as a reference.

I’ve been in a #PoeBookClub for a couple of years, and this book is a great companion for looking up historical context for his stories and poems. Every Poe fan should have a copy.

The Pocket Portraits are a series, so I will have to look into the other featured authors.

[Doreen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Hunh, I think Edgar Allan Poe might be the one writer -- if not one person outright -- of whom I've read the most biographies.

And certainly, what a wealth of material and mystery there is surrounding one of the most famous writers to ever live! From a life marked with more than its fair share of drama and scandal, to a death people still can't quite figure out, Poe has been talked about almost incessantly since the day he was born. His genius and creativity, however, left a legacy that still resonates today.

Levi Lionel Leland takes on the great man in this Pocket Portrait biography, that serves as an excellent, digestible introduction to the Master of the Macabre and, coincidentally, the Father of the Detective Story (the awards handed out by the Mystery Writers of America are named after him for a reason!) Each chapter is brief and punctuated with a fascinating bit of trivia. Excerpts of Poe's work also dot the text, often as they're referenced and usually around the point of their creation. There's a useful index included, as well as a list of suggested Further Reading towards the end.

Mr Leland's accounting of Poe is highly readable, setting down all the facts of his life and legacy, acknowledging all the controversies, and relating the inspirations behind Poe's prolific output. While clearly sympathetic to his subject, he doesn't spend an excessive amount of time attempting to excuse him. Perhaps this was why I realized, while reading this biography, that Poe was likely an insufferable person to be around.

And that's okay! Mr Leland's stated objective in writing this biography was to humanize Poe, and he absolutely succeeds in doing that. Poe was messy and couldn't hold his liquor and had some of the worst luck in the world but he was also a great thinker and writer. I can always respect a person who contains multitudes, even if I don't necessarily want to be friends with them. I do, however, want to embark on a pilgrimage to Baltimore and pay my respects to Poe's grave after reading this, which is not something I've ever been moved to do before.

I also appreciated the credence lent here to the cooping theory of Poe's death (as that's my pet theory, too.) I would like to correct the idea that Al-Araf, the state of purgatory advanced by certain Muslim doctrines -- and the name adapted to title one of Poe's poems -- is somewhere people go when they die. Modern Christians may have conveniently forgotten about general resurrection in advance of Judgment Day, but Muslims know that souls wait in the grave till the angelic trumpets sound.

I do wish there'd been more art, but Kim Arrington's illustrations do a fine job of representing Poe and his themes. Overall, this is a beautifully designed, comprehensively written look at Poe's life and legacy that fits neatly in a pocket. It's the perfect biography for diehard fans of the literary icon as well as for readers just starting to get to know him.

Edgar Allan Poe: The Master Of The Macabre by Levi Lionel Leland was published today September 23 2025 by Adams Media and is available from all good booksellers, including Bookshop!

This review originally appeared at TheFrumiousConsortium.net.

[The Sassy Bookworm · Rating 4 out of 5]

Book Review: Edgar Allan Poe: The Master of the Macabre by Levi Lionel Leland

Rating: 4 Stars

I picked up Edgar Allan Poe: The Master of the Macabre by Levi Lionel Leland expecting a neat little homage, and what I found was an affectionate, compact companion to one of my favorite writers. This isn’t an exhaustive scholarly tome, and it doesn’t pretend to be — it’s a pocket-sized portrait that leans into atmosphere and admiration, and it largely succeeds. I’m happy to give it four stars.

Leland steers the reader through the shadowy contours of Poe’s life with a light but reverent touch. The biography portion sketches the familiar arc: a brilliant but tormented mind, successes and controversies in the literary marketplace, and a personal life marked by loss and instability. Rather than drowning in dates and footnotes, the book concentrates on the moods and motifs that make Poe so unmistakable — obsession, decay, the unreliable psyche — and shows how those elements feed into his best-known works. Leland mixes short biographical beats with evocative observations, creating a portrait that feels vivid without being overwhelming.

What I enjoyed most was the way the book samples Poe’s writing and voice. Selected excerpts from stories and poems — the sort of chilling lines that stick with you — are woven in alongside commentary and memorable quotes about Poe from others. These passages give the book a dual purpose: part mini-biography, part sampler. If you’re new to Poe, it’s an inviting introduction; if you already love his work, it’s a handy little reminder of what makes him so enduring.

The presentation is another strength. The cover art is striking — moody and appropriately gothic — and the interior layout makes the reading experience breezy. Leland strikes a useful balance between lively narrative and short-form literary analysis, so you get context without a dense academic tone. That made the book easy to carry through an afternoon and return to its pages with pleasure.

My few reservations are why I’m stopping at four stars. At times the treatment feels a touch too reverent — a bit of critical distance would have been welcome, especially regarding Poe’s faults and the messier aspects of his reputation. Also, readers seeking deep textual analysis or new biographical discoveries won’t find them here; the book is happiest as an affectionate distillation rather than a corrective or a major new intervention.

All told, Levi Lionel Leland’s portrait is charming and useful. It’s the sort of book you hand to someone curious about Poe or keep on a shelf as a compact reminder of why his stories and poems still haunt us. For long time admirers and newcomers alike, it’s an engaging little tribute that leaves you wanting to dive back into Poe’s originals — which, frankly, is the highest compliment I can give.

⚠️This review was written based on personal opinions and experiences with the book. Individual preferences may vary⚠️

[Joel Furches · Rating 5 out of 5]

Just in time for spooky season, publisher Adams Media and author Levi Lionel Leland have brought the world a pocket-sized volume on the subject of famous writer and poet, Edgar Allan Poe.

What not to Expect – Whenever a person idly picks up a volume with the name of Edgar Allan Poe on it, they tend to reasonably expect a collection of poetry and stories with macabre themes, and perhaps some gruesome illustrations to accompany the stories. Not so with this book. While the cover and dust jacket are whimsically illustrated, and the edges of each page have subtle bits of visual appeal, this is not a collection of the works of Poe – rather it is a biography of the man. While the book does have bits and pieces of his work scattered throughout to punctuate the periods of life in which they were written, none of the writings of Poe are contained in full within this volume.

What to Expect – While the volume is, indeed, about the right size to put in your pocket, this book is fairly thick is about an inch-and-a-half thick. While the thickness may seem intimidating, the pages are quite small, making it a quick read. Better still for the bite-sized reader, the book is broken up into topical sections, each dealing with a minor phase in the very eventful and tumultuous life of this storied poet. For those who find the writings far more interesting than the man behind them, Poe’s life as depicted in this book, was quite filled with drama, adventure, scandals, and romance (as well as several dramatic love-triangles) making his life worthy of one of his own stories. As the cherry to top off this treat, post-mortem, Poes body was exhumed several times presenting several new mysteries which have not yet been solved, and perhaps the final mystery is the very real-life man of mystery who has been hovering about the grave of this legendary poet for almost 80 years. For all those details and more, get your hands on the book.
The book even makes for a handy travel guide for those interested in visiting the many locations which, together, formed the fabric of this influential writer’s life – and the many museums and monuments scattered up and down the East Coast in celebration of the man.
This book is by no means a dull read, and with its attractive cover and titillating contents, would make a fine addition to anyone’s personal library.

[ReadThisAndSteep · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a quick, accessible biography of one of history's most well-known and influential yet least understood writers. So much about Poe is shrouded in mystery and myth, particularly his death. Further, Poe's image was intentionally tarnished by a frenemy who wrote the first biography of Poe, targeting Poe's character in hopes that he would be forgotten.

This Pocket Portrait is a quick listen, at just under five hours, it features short chapters, excerpts of Poe's works, and interesting and surprising facts under the headings of "Literary Connections" and "The More You Know." I appreciated that it didn't read like a strictly academic work, but was written more compellingly, connecting Poe's personal life and work. I enjoyed learning more about the inspirations behind some of Poe's writings, as Poe's life was as gothic as his art.

While primarily introductory and addressing in broad strokes the key events of Poe's life and personal tragedies, it also acknowledges Poe's struggles, moodiness, complexities, and the more controversial and scandalous parts of his life. You don’t need to be well-versed in Poe or his major works to appreciate this. This biography is a nice introduction to Poe's writing and the themes frequently appearing throughout. I found this fascinating and informative without being overwhelming.

Fred Sanders narrates and does a great job of keeping the overall vibe of this biographical and informative while also making it engaging. I appreciated the difference in delivery between the non-fiction part of the book and the dramatization of the fictional when he read Poe's works. This is a fun and unique spooky season listen!

Thank you to Simon & Schuster Audio, Libro.FM and Adams Media for the gifted audiobook

[Theediscerning · Rating 4 out of 5]

As you'd expect, a biography of the great East Coast American author. I did have my doubts about this to start with – copious two-page chapters, with their own intrusive titles, and a lot of pages given over to extracts from the poems and short stories. But the text flows very well, despite it being broken up so often, and all told this is an exceedingly accessible narrative, made very readable for anyone gifted 'The Raven' to study in secondary school upwards.

And while we don't get any illustrations of the copious girls to break his heart, or anything else, we get the marvellous story of his life. I didn't know that while Poe was begging for help from the man whose wife fostered him, the bloke had inherited a mahoosive fortune and wouldn't have noticed the loss if he'd passed a living wage to his foster son. And I'd duly forgotten about the man (Griswold) who was colleague and rival – then became the guy to determine Poe's legacy and post mortem fame, going about it with all bitterness and entirely the wrong way.

Yes, even if you find Poe one-note and dreary and high-falutin' in his early Victorian style (and that is really me playing devil's advocate, as his output is so much richer than that), his life story is certainly one to turn to for entertainment. And this was engaging, light and near-ideal for the general browser not needing too much detail. OK, it did get into being stuck in an "and he was paid xx for this, and yy for that" rut, but such temporary blips are very excusable. I might well be biased due to my liking and appreciation for the subject, but the story here is always going to be a fine one, and this is a fine telling of it. A strong four stars.

[Vampyre · Rating 4 out of 5]

I want to thank NetGalley for my ARC copy.

I have been a fan of Poe since I was in elementary school. My first memory of Poe was The Simpson’s version of Teb Raven. Since then I have been obsessed with Poe and he has been my favorite writer for nearly 4 decades.

This, however, was the first book about Poe that I have read. I learned quite a lot about my beloved melancholy author. At the same time, I was confused that in all of the content that I read, there was no direct footnotes for this information. Although, there is content in the background, I did not have time to cross reference. But regardless, I this could have been a 5* had there been footnote usage throughout the text so that readers could see what is the author’s words, as opposed to academic research on Poe’s works and life history.

I would recommend this book in a heartbeat though. I do look forward to purchasing a copy for my personal Poe collection.

[Jessica CW · Rating 5 out of 5]

This Book is a biography of his poems, life and tidbits surrounding him.

I studied Edgar in high school and the books available at the time were not as detailed as this one. I am enjoying reading more into his life and his romantic and non romantic relationships. Including all the loss he suffered before be an adult on his own. Including losing 3 mother figures and being raised seperate from his siblings.

I enjoyed the sections also on possible outcomes in his life where he could have crossed paths with Thomas Jefferson or had his mom not passed at her time- that the fire later to the theatre would surely- effect them.

As a fan of the Raven- I am truly happy to read what inspired it and where it came about in the time period of Edgar's life.

I don't normally having a true rating of memoirs/non fiction. So I just love all the ones I read.

[Diane · Rating 4 out of 5]

Quick, detailed read…

I was really happy to see this title come up on NetGalley as this author/legend was one I knew little about. The Raven, the macabre, that fit with the bits of knowledge I gathered together over the years but this was an opportunity to dive deeper. From his birth to his death, the author offered personal and professional information set to a timeline enriched with snippets of his work. His struggles, the (mostly mis)fortunes, his relationships with family and others, it was cobbled together with proven fact, revealed falsehoods and the written works he left behind.

If you have minimal knowledge of Edgar Allan Poe this ‘Pocket Portrait’ edition is a great starting point.

*I happily reviewed this book
**Thank you to NetGalley and Adams Media

[Carissa · Rating 5 out of 5]

“Edgar Allen Poe: The Master of the Macabre” is a phenomenal biography about the legendary writer who brought us tales such as “The Raven” and “The Tell Tale Heart.” Levi Lionel Leland authors this edition from the “Pocket Portraits” series. It is jam-packed with information and presented beautifully. I was enamored by the print, the colors, the embellishments, and of course, the artwork. The cover art and dust jacket display gorgeous watercolors, created by illustrator Kim Arrington. Aesthetically, It’s a truly lovely book inside and out.

This biography is fascinating and I learned so much new information about Poe, that I insisted on sharing immediately. (I don’t think my brother wanted to hear it but thanks for listening to my latest hyper-fixation, Corey!) Each chapter is expertly assembled and easy to digest in short chapters, with excerpts from Poe’s writings and small blurbs highlighting fun facts.
This small book contains an abundance of information that I would highly recommend to anyone interested in the mysterious Master of the Macabre.


❗️Content warnings: illness and death of parent, loved one / spouse, poverty and financial struggles, underage relationship / marriage, mental illness, neglect and abuse, potential alcohol abuse, SI

Thank you to Simon and Schuster, Adams Media, and Levi Lionel Leland for sending me a copy of this book to review!

[Ingrid Stephens · Rating 5 out of 5]

Discover the tumultuous life of Edgar Allan Poe, the legendary gothic author, marked by literary genius and personal tragedy, and explore the haunting themes that defined his timeless creations. 

Excellent biography of a literary genius.  Poe never got his due in his own. Time but we have since discovered and celebrated the gale t this odd little man had.
A complete story of his life with choice excerpts from his most famous works. Perfect for the Haunting season.

Recommended.  Publishing date 09/23/2025

Thanks to @netgalley and Adams Media for the opportunity to read this eArc in exchange for my honest and unbiased opinion.

[Kelli · Rating 5 out of 5]

Edgar Allan Poe: The Master of the Macabre is a captivating dive into the life and literary genius of one of the most iconic figures in gothic literature. Levi Lionel Leland masterfully blends biography with literary analysis, unraveling the personal struggles, tragedies, and brilliance that defined Poe’s life and works.

From detailed explorations of The Tell-Tale Heart and The Raven to illuminating quotes and commentary, this book captures both the haunting allure of Poe’s fiction and the complex human behind the pen. It’s an inspiring read for longtime fans of gothic literature and newcomers alike, offering insight into the enduring influence of Poe’s macabre imagination.

[Tylor James · Rating 5 out of 5]

Mr. Leland's pocket portrait, serving as a primary introduction to Poe's life, proves indispensable. This volume explicates all of the major 'plot points' of Poe's life, with the addition of many bits of tasteful trivia. Never once does it stray from fact into the realm of fabrication---it treats its subject respectfully, and doesn't indulge in falsehood (as Poe's earliest biographers did). Indeed, this volume acquaints the reader with that fabulous enigma and complexity of character of one of literature's true greats, whilst pointing one in the direction of heavier, more dense biographies.

[Joni · Rating 4 out of 5]

Edgar Allan Poe is one of America's most famous writers. I am familiar with a couple of his works, The Raven and Tell-Tale Heart, I had no knowledge of the man himself. His life was interesting and The Master of the Macabre gives an in depth look into what is known about him and his mysterious death. I liked the snippets of his poems and stories at the end of the chapters that were about what led to Poe writing that particular poem.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC

[Salina · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you to Adams Media and NetGalley for the ARC!

I'm trying to read a little more nonfiction this year, and this was a very easy and interesting read to start off fall.
I didn't know a lot about Edgar Allan Poe, and this was very well written, hopefully very well researched but it's hard to tell without citations, in short little chapters with some fun facts.
Also, John Green was right, everything is tuberculosis.

[Gladys Mejia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Edgar Allan Poe is one of my favorite authors.

I thoroughly enjoyed going through his life again and learning more about him.
It really was engaging and fascinating way to do so.

Would recommend to those wanting to know more about the famous author.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for this ARC.

[3 words or so · Rating 3 out of 5]

With thanks to Net Galley, Adams Media and the author Levi Lionel Leland for the opportunity to read and review this eARC.

I will preface this review with the fact that I do no normally read non-fiction, nor do I know a lot about Poe, other than what anyone else from the general populus might (did not study during school, haven’t deep dived or gone down rabbit holes just for fun).

This little book, was intriguing, fact filled and dotted with works of Poe, connecting facts with his writing.
An engaging read for those who want to know a little more about the writer, his life, his inspirations, his upbringing, his tragic experiences and more.

It was a quick read, probably best designed for those who know little or none. If you are a Poe aficionado, then you probably know most if not all already.