Nevermore: A Photobiography of Edgar Allan Poe

by Karen E. Lange

Nevermore brings one of America’s most enigmatic writers to the attention of a new generation of children. This intriguing photobiography examines the life and times of the author and poet who would have a huge influence on future generations of writers, poets, artists, and even songwriters.

Poe pioneered the psychological horror story, the detective story, and the emerging genre of science fiction. Through his dark tales and unforgettable verse, as well as his literary criticism, he made major contributions to the development of the modern short story and modern poetry in America. Thanks to the translations of the French writer Charles Baudelaire, Poe also gained a wide audience throughout Europe. His work influenced not only writers, but also avant-garde artists, who saw in him a kindred soul.

Karen Lange’s gripping narrative combines with the book’s vivid illustrations of Poe’s various haunts to create an atmospheric account of America’s most famous Romantic writer. The story shifts from his birth in Boston to Richmond, from Hampton Roads to Philadelphia, from New York City to his mysterious death in Baltimore. Nevermore is a rich appreciation of an American master, whose macabre tales of mystery took shape in tandem with his own strange and ultimately tragic life story.

Genres: Biography, Nonfiction, Poetry, Picture Books, Historical, Childrens, Middle Grade

64 pages, Hardcover

First published January 13, 2009

Reviews

[Krista the Krazy Kataloguer · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very nice biography of Poe, with lots of illustrations, hitting all the key points of his life. I particularly liked the observation made by the author as to the difference between the portraits of Poe on pages 46 and 56, in terms of his looking less healthy and more aged in the latter. Lange describes not only the facts of his life but also how he must have felt about them. I loved her "Afterword," in which she counted him as the inspiration for the class of French writers known as "Symbolists," and as the inspiration for Conan Doyle's Sherlock Holmes stories and for H.P. Lovecraft's horror tales. I hadn't realized before what a wide influence he had in literature. What a brilliant writer! Too bad he didn't live longer to write more. Lange's book is an excellent introduction to Poe for kids, sure to make them want to pick up a book of his stories or poems.

[Shelli · Rating 4 out of 5]

This would have been a five star quick overview of Edgar Allan Poe if it were in a different format. I seriously need to write up and save my reasons for why I don't like lengthy standard sized picture books for middle/high school students because I get really tired of typing it out again and again.

Long story short: Older kids don't want to read picture books because they are improperly viewed as baby books when most of the time they are written for an older student's reading/interest level - meaning the younger kids that pick them up with NEVER finish reading it, and those who would finish them will never pick up the book in the first place.

O.k. that rant aside this was a great overview of Poe's tragic life for those who are already a little familiar with his story or for those just starting out and will continue to seek out additional information.

[Michael · Rating 3 out of 5]

The 61 pages Edgar Allen Poe biography by Karen E. Lange was, despite being a bit boring at time, a quick read. Edgar Allen Poe who was born in Boston on January 19, 1809 to Elizabeth Arnold Poe and David Poe Jr who were both actors. He was an orphan at a young age, shortly after his mother died of tuberculoses; his father abandoned the family never to be seen again. John and Francis Allan took him in, hence the name Edgar Allan Poe. However, they never formally adopted him, despite educating him. He attended university at the university of Virginia though could only stay there for one semester due to lack of money. He enlisted in the army and despite quickly ranking, failed miserably. So he decided to write, and there began his career. His first book was a collection of poems called Tamerlane and Other Poems. He then switched careers and started working for literary journals where he was known for his own style of literary criticism. He married his 13-year-old cousin in Baltimore 1835 and exactly 10 years later, he published him poem “The Raven” for instant success. Thought his wife Virginia died of tuberculoses 2 years after it was published. He began planning to produce his own journal called The Penn which he eventually renames The Stylus. However he ended up dying before it could be produced. And to this day, no one knows how he died. He had a very troubled life, he watched as tow very important people in his life died in front of him because of tuberculoses, and he had drinking problems, which is said to be one of the reason he died. I thought the book was boring at times though a very quick and interesting read. However I don’t think that the book suited me so much.

[James · Rating 4 out of 5]

A solid book about Edgar Allan Poe and well suited to the younger reader. It is richly illustrated and ends with a brief analysis of how important Poe has been in various methods, from comments from poets and authors to his staying power as a form of merchandising. While the book is not fully in depth and while some may argue the concepts of how much credit Poe is due for science fiction and the ilk in modernity, the book is a vital introduction to the young reader in that it at least begins framing the argument, and if the argument can be disputed, that is even better as it will engage a young mind to further explore Poe and other authors.

In the end, a reader looking for a deeper experience in examining Poe may readily read Edgar A. Poe: Mournful and Never-ending Remembrance , cited by this work, or, if seeking something more focused on the end of his days, Midnight Dreary: The Mysterious Death of Edgar Allan Poe , but this work functions admirably and with lasting impact as a visually compelling brief biography of Edgar Allan Poe and when viewed within that framework, it far exceeded my expectations.

[Alicia · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a beautifully done nonfiction piece about Edgar Allan Poe in which readers learn about both his genius in chronological order but also about his incessant need for love from women. It focuses on each relationship and his letters-- courting one woman as he's proposing marriage to another. It even includes some guesses as to his behavior at having never gotten over the death of his mother as a toddler and not having known her, idealized all women, looking for them to save, protect, nurture, and nurse him to good mental and physical health. There is also quite a bit about his not-quite-adopted parents who raised him for years and the tumultuous relationship he had with his father, especially after his mother's death and Poe's struggle to make ends meet, paying debts, his military service, etc.

The books for as small as it is is packed to the gills and I loved it!

[Heidi · Rating 5 out of 5]

Grades 5-12
Mock Sibert Award Nominee, 2010
This biography of the tragic genius is detailed, well-researched, and attractive. Poe's story is told in an engaging style that mixes well-written, interesting prose with photographs, paintings, and other images. Black and white photographs are set off by blue-cast images and backgrounds. The narration is intermingled with quotes, bits of Poe's poetry or prose, varied font, and two-page photo spreads. Even the captions are deliciously constructed. The success of this biography will be due to the content and the design. It fills a void because it is accessible to young readers who first fall in love with Poe, yet it is rich enough to be enjoyed by older readers as well.

[Emily Ever · Rating 4 out of 5]

I've never known too much about Poe except that he was from Baltimore (although apparently not). I've read several of his short stories and poems, but this is the first time I've read more into his life.

This book was very informative and easy to read without dumbing the content down. The images and snipets of his writing and his letters help to illuminate his troubled life.

To be honest, it makes me sad. If Poe were living today he would have had help for the things that ailed him (including what is clearly something akin to bi-polar disorder) and he might have had a much more prolific career - or at least a longer life.

I'd recommend this book for anyone who has a casual interest in the life and times of Edgar Allan Poe, or as a companion to compilations of his work.

[FR · Rating 2 out of 5]

Eh. This was fine.

[Jenn M · Rating 4 out of 5]

I listened to this book as an audiobook; thus, I cannot speak to the beauty or added value of the many illustrations that are contained within. However, I elected to listen to this book because I am really interested in the topic of Edgar Allan Poe. I learned quite a bit more than I knew before, and in an easily understood method that I'm sure middle-grade and middle school students would enjoy. I do want to find a physical copy of the book, so that I can best view the many illustrations that other reviewers have mentioned.

I am intrigued enough by the subject detials in this Photobiography to move onto other biographies that retell the details of Poe's life.

[Celia · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a wonderful biography about Poe, with excellent photos and sources. I discovered Poe when I was in 7th grade, and read most of his short stories which I found chilling and very creepy. But, I especially loved his poem, Annabel Lee. I must have read that poem a thousand times, and can still recite much of it by heart. His death is still a mystery--too bad there was no CSI teams back then. He is considered the father of detective fiction.
A sad, tragic, too-short life, but this book is a great introduction for any middle school student.

[Erica · Rating 5 out of 5]

A fascinating biography of Edgar Allan Poe. In high school, I was fascinated with Edgar Allan Poe and carried around a copy of his "complete" works with me. I knew he'd had a hard life but learned in this book that a lot of what I knew about Poe was false and had been fabricated by one of Poe's rivals, Rufus Griswold, after Poe's death.

This book will appeal to those middle school and high school students are just coming to learn about Poe and his wonderful writing.

[Toby · Rating 4 out of 5]

The haunting picture on the cover invites readers into the difficult life of Edgar Allan Poe. The book is nicely designed, with quotations from Poe's work overlaid on photographs from his life; the text puts him into the context of his time and the tragedies he had to overcome: the desertion of his father, early death of his mother and later his wife, both of TB, and his lifelong struggle to make a living as a writer.

[Bonni · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is the kind of biography I like when I have very little time, but want to learn a little something. A "photobiography" is so much more entertaining to read when compared to a lengthy evaluation of somebodys's life. I understand Poe's writings much more after reading about him. He really did have a tough existence!

[Kelsey · Rating 4 out of 5]

A well done biography. Even though it's a children's book, it does not shy away from Poe's darker vices. The only disagreement I have with it is the use of "photobiography" since there really aren't that many pictures and about half of them have aren't really relevant. Otherwise, a good book that includes an index, chronology and resources.

[Sherrie · Rating 4 out of 5]

This heavily illustrated photobiography is geared toward young adult readers. I found it very interesting, I learned a lot that I didn't know about Poe. This is another of the new books that just arrived in my middle school library.

[Linnea Hendrickson · Rating 4 out of 5]

I couldn't put this one down. I knew some of this information before, but thought that this was nicely done and accessible for a young audience, especially in view of the difficult issues in Poe's life. This biography made me want to read more about Poe and more of his work.

[Phoebe · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another great title in the NG Photobiography series. Packed with information, beautifully laid out, and intriguing! Poe was a brilliant, tortured soul who had very little kindness in his life. His poetry is gorgeous. Try with teens who need to read a biography.

[Miri Gifford · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really excellent biography of Edgar Allan Poe from National Geographic. Lots of photographs, including letters he wrote and early publications of his work, and just stylistically more interesting than many biographies are.

[Emily Pickell · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really like photobiographies and this one does not disappoint. If you are a fan of Poe's works or just interested in how real people lived this is a great read. Another great book from National Geographic.

[Anna · Rating 5 out of 5]

"We tremble with the violence of the conflict within us,--of the definite with the indefinite--of the substance with the shadow." -Poe, from "The Imp of the Perverse"

[Donald · Rating 4 out of 5]

A middle-school book, but pretty good with facts and pictures about Poe.

[Leigh · Rating 5 out of 5]

another winner from National Geographic publishing. Great photos and fascinating text and a timeline.

[Maggie · Rating 5 out of 5]

new read for me........so what do people who hav read it already think?

[Shanelle Vincent · Rating 5 out of 5]

Anything about Edgar Allan Poe's life is good!

[Michele]

I learned a lot about Edgar Allan Poe that I never knew before. A quick easy read for when the time crunch is getting to you.

[Jake · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lots of information that I never heard before.

[Scott · Rating 4 out of 5]

enjoyed it very much

[David Dunlap · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is an excellent biography of Edgar Allan Poe, designed for younger readers but a profitable reading experience for anyone. The great strength of the volume are the splendid illustrations with explanations. In many cases, an actual Poe manuscript serves as background for the matter being discussed. (He had a beautiful hand!) Especially appealing is the emphasis the author places on the fact that most of the photographs/portraits we have of Poe are from his latter years, when the ravages of life had taken their toll on him, as well as the fact that the writer made a secret enemy his literary executor, who paid fast and loose with Poe's life (emphasizing dissolution and alcoholism) once the man was no longer there to provide a defense. There is a helpful bibliography in the back for readers who wish to explore Poe's life and, even better, a list of websites and places to visit connected with Poe. Highly recommended!

[Tay · Rating 5 out of 5]

Illuminating! Photos and descriptions of significant people and places in the life of Edgar Poe (his familiar name at the time). Text reports on his significant romantic, familial, and professional relationships and places. This book is for young readers AND fans of Poe.

[Leanne · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not what I was hoping for (authentic sources are more background image than tangible artifact), but the biography is interesting enough and a quick read.