Coffee with Poe: A Novel of Edgar Allan Poe's Life

by Andrew Barger

A finalist in the Best Book Awards historical biography category, "Coffee with Poe" brings Edgar Allan Poe to life as never before.

Orphaned at the age of two, Poe is raised by John Allan—his abusive foster father—who refuses to adopt him until he becomes straight-laced and businesslike. Poe, however, fancies poetry and young women. He becomes engaged to Elmira Royster as a teenager, but the engagement is broken after her father intercepts Poe’s letters. The contentious relationship with John Allan culminates in a violent altercation, which causes Poe to leave his wealthy foster father’s home to make it as a writer. Poe tries desperately to get established as a writer but is ridiculed by the "Literati of New York."

The Raven subsequently gains Poe renown in America yet he slips deeper into poverty without the support of John Allan, only making $15 off the poem’s entire publication history. Desperate for a motherly figure in his life, Poe marries his first cousin who is only thirteen. John Allan has remarried by this time and when Poe visits him on his deathbed, he is refused an interview because his second wife believes Poe is after an inheritance. Thereafter, Poe lives his last years in abject poverty while suffering through the deaths of his foster mother, grandmother, and young wife.

Poe’s health begins failing and he has bouts of paranoid delusions. In a cemetery Poe becomes engaged to Helen Whitman, a dark poet who is addicted to ether, wears a small coffin about her neck, and conducts séances in her home. Her mother thinks the impoverished poet is after her money and demands that Poe sign a rare prenuptial agreement. The engagement is soon broken off because of Poe’s drinking. In his final months Poe is again engaged to Elmira Royster after a joyful reunion, yet his health is in a downward spiral. Just before their marriage Poe disappears and is later found delirious and wearing another person’s begrimed clothes. He dies a few days later, whispering his final "God help my poor soul."

Genres: Historical Fiction, Fiction, Poetry, 19th Century, Book Club

212 pages, Kindle Edition

First published November 1, 2003

About the author

I just edited two classic anthologies - Middle Unearthed: The Best Fantasy Short Stories 1800-1849 along with Mesaerion: The Best Science Fiction Short Stories 1800-1849.

I am the author of "The Divine Dantes" trilogy that is a laugh-out-loud rock love story following the characters of "The Divine Comedy" in modern times.

I also penned the awarding book "Coffee with Poe: A Novel of Edgar Allan Poe's Life." The book brings America's most mysterious author and poet to life as never before. It was a finalist winner in the USA Best Book Awards. Visit my website for exclusive interviews and to buy my titles.

Best regards and Goodread(ing),
Andrew Barger

Website: http://www.AndrewBarger.com
Blog: http://www.andrewbarger.blogspot.com

Reviews

[Rick-Founder JM CM BOOK CLUB · Rating 5 out of 5]

Superb novel!
This novel is so very well written- one truly feels a part of the world created by master story-teller Andrew Barger- The actual letters from legendary writers, Hawthorne, Irving ect., coupled with sparkling prose make this a must read for all!!

A JAMES MASON COMMUNITYBOOK CLUB MUST READ

[David Eppenstein · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have read many good biographies all of which were written by historians or related scholars and generally written for that same audience. Generally, biographies and histories are not written with the average member of the reading public in mind and that's a terrible shame. Maybe if these authors altered their perspective a bit then maybe more people would have a better sense of history. Now I've read "Coffee With Poe" and it is unlike any biography I have ever read. It was actually entertaining as well as being informative. While this book is technically historical fiction I suspect the history is fairly accurate. Because of a few very minor but glaring historical errors I can't fully endorse the author's historical accuracy but I do believe as regards Poe he was true to his subject. What made this so good was that it was written more as an autobiography. Poe himself is the narrator of his story which, of course, makes this a work of fiction along with obviously invented dialogues with the major characters in Poe's life. I have to admit not know anymore about Poe than I learned in high school and after reading this book I am inspired to learn more. Can an author ask for a better endorsement?

[Melissa · Rating 4 out of 5]

While I have been a Poe fan for many years, I only know the basics about his life. Coffee with Poe was an enjoyable way to learn more about Poe without having to hit the stuffy history books. I found myself fact-checking the author, Andrew Barger, when details popped up that I found hard to believe. I found most of the events portrayed in the book to be accurate or at least based on established theories. However, as much as I want to believe Poe was a fan of coffee I have not seen much to back it up in online sources (I would love if someone proved me wrong on this!). Obviously there are many parts of the poet’s life that remain a mystery, including his death. Barger does a good job of incorporating some more respected theories into the story.

A few of Poe’s letters and poetry are interspersed through the text. The added context of the when and why he was writing these letters made these additions more enjoyable than they would be on their own. After reading Coffee with Poe I'm not sure if I would have liked Poe had I known him in person. In multiple letters to John Allan he both rails against him and then begs him for money, which is ironic and a bit childish. The author downplays Poe’s drinking, perhaps how Poe would have done in real life but does discuss Poe’s low tolerance of alcohol. Poe’s financial struggles, his romantic relationships, and the quarrels with his many detractors were also well illustrated in this work.

Why I didn’t give it five stars
There were some typos and editing oversights, especially towards the end of the book. Some of the dialogue, especially in the first few chapters, was not realistic and even a bit cringe-worthy at times. I almost didn’t make it past the first few chapters due to this, but I am glad I did as the book picked up once it got to Poe’s adult life. There were a few anachronisms, for instance a character ordering a Caesar salad while out to lunch with Poe. I don't think these were a thing at that time?! However these flaws are forgivable in the overall scheme of this book. A large amount of research obviously went into this work and these are just minor quibbles. I would recommend this to any fan of Edgar Allan Poe who wants to know more about the tragic but fascinating life of this author.

[Melissa · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have always been interested in Poe so I really looked forward to this. Within the first few pages you truly understand why he wrote in the manner he did. Virtually from birth he faced sadness, death and disappointment in his life. He took all of that pain and turned it into his works of art. The letters to his lives and fellow writers allow you to see him in a different level and sympathize with him. The only parts I did not enjoy were his letters to Helen. While I understand their purpose, they were long winded and almost painful to read. Overall, I loved the book

[Sami Olive · Rating 2 out of 5]

It may be that I read this as an e-book instead of purchasing a physical copy, but I think that this book could have been much-improved with the work of an editor. While the story was enjoyable enough, I could not help but spot the grammatical errors that shone like stars throughout the piece. Too, since the story was being told through the perspective of Poe himself, I found it odd that Barger continued to add the omissions, illegible words, and other elements of Poe's letters that were not placed until the letters were released in print much, much later. Finally, although this is just my taste, I found some parts of the story far too dramatic. While they did aid in making the tale more interesting, they did nothing to aid in its realism. In all, this book and its historical elements make it a pleasurable read, but the abundant grammatical errors and turned-up drama detract from the story as a whole.

[Emily Capeles · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have to say that this goodreads giveaway was very well written. Coffee With Poe is not the type of book that I would normally choose to read as the story of Poe is not one that interests me. I had a hard time getting into the book as the subject matter was not interesting to me. Even though the book not an enjoyable read for me, anyone who is interested in the life of Edgar Allan Poe will love this book. It was well written and seemed to be well researched. This will be a good read for all Poe lovers.

[Marie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Mr Barger had an interesting concept; to write a book about Poe written around letters that he wrote and received. It read like a story rather than a biography so it was entertaining for me to learn about Poe and the other people who were in his life. It was sad to find out that there were "Good Ole Boys" clicks even then in the literary world who did everything they could to keep Poe from succeeding...because he was poor, because he was outspoken, because he was brilliant. I'm sure Poe could be cocky and brutally honest, but he didn't deserve what he got.

[. · Rating 4 out of 5]

“endless toil and endeavor”
The curious and tragic life of the seemingly infamous, but greatly misunderstood Edgar Allan Poe, makes for an immensely interesting read with Bargar’s skillful mix of fact and fictional speculation. I’d recommend COFFEE WITH POE to any fan of the talented dark poet; if for nothing else than to checkout emotionally charged, passionate and often overly dramatic collection of letters written by “The Raven” himself.

[Tim B · Rating 3 out of 5]

A good approach to take biographical information and interlace it with novelization. It was not as dry as many biographies. Poe’s life is interesting, and reading the author’s note at the end lets you know what the author made up and what he did not. The latter part of the book became more disjointed as the author incorporated more and more primary sources. All in all, a good way to learn about Poe, and a good enough read.

[Boyd · Rating 5 out of 5]

A fun read for anyone interested in Poe. It reads as a novel, but also a biography, from his childhood, to his death, as well as his friends, enemies, and many love interests. You will not be able to put it down.

[Jessica Arce · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved reading this. I couldn't put it down. It was very different and it was really cool to read more about Edgar Allan Poe.

[Jean · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have always loved Poe, or Uncle Edgar as I have always fondly called him. On my Yulemas/Yuletide vacation of 2022 I was finally able to visit the final resting place of Edgar Allan Poe in Baltimore, MD. A bucket-list item for me, so it was only fitting that my next book to read after holiday was Andrew Barger’s “Coffee with Poe: A Novel of Edgar Allan Poe’s Life”.

I first fell in love with Poe’s work in middle school. I was completely drawn to the gothic style / theme. I do consider Poe a literary hero of mine. I have made it a point over the years to learn as much as I could about Poe, the man. I believe no matter if this book is set in fiction or biography the person that he was and his experiences shaped his writing. This book perfectly takes the elements of truth then turns them on their head with a dramatic flair. I do believe Poe would have quite liked this portrayal of his life. The category of this novel is listed as Historical Fiction / Biography. I call it truth smattered with fiction or fiction smattered with truth. Either way you classify it, this book is a fascinating read - very entertaining for fans of Poe.

I highly recommend this book for any fan of Poe. In reality, Poe just wanted to write his poems and tales to share with the world. He wanted people to take him seriously for his art. To respect his work even. I believe that this book gives perfect examples of his desire to be heard or really in this case be read.

I love the flourish given to the tales of Poe’s literary “flirtations” that are described throughout this novel. I compare it to the modern day Facebook and blogs where “fans” and fellow “artists” can engage with their celebrity “crushes” / heroes / peers. After all, the notion of making your fans “swoon” is a practice that predates Poe. This novel spins these interactions in a fun and entertaining way.

This book adds a flair to Poe’s defense in protecting his work. In Poe’s day he challenged those who would try to claim his work as their own. The times may have changed, however the issue at hand not so much. The only difference is that today there are even more ways of dealing with said issues. I think that Poe did a good job with defending his life’s work.

I love the fact that Poe was not afraid to rebuff anyone who made disparaging remarks about his work. After all, the pen is mightier than the sword. The “pen wars” that Poe engages in throughout this novel are a fun quips to Poe’s personality. I think that despite this being a work of fiction with a base in truth Poe was a bit on the fearless side when it came to using his pen against the “haters”.

I thought it was quite fascinating that with the marvels of medical technology/ discovery that a more modern day diagnosis was able to be notated for Poe’s ailments / behaviors. This also gives us another view into the life of Poe.

So, pick this novel up and give it a read. 5/5 stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

[Beth Yeary]

I didn't realize what a depressing life Poe led. No wonder he wrote such dark stories.

[Ronda · Rating 3 out of 5]

I so wanted to love this book enough to recommend it to my book group. But alas, too many letters dragged on and on starting mid book to end. A book half as long would have done the trick.

[Buffy Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

Catch Up Book post #1:
I read this a few weeks ago- "Coffee With Poe" by Andrew Bargen.
I was aware of most things that were discussed that everyone else knows- Poe's poverty, the loss of his mother, father, and wife, possible addictions and mental distress, how awful John Allan was and how he didn't support Poe's writing. How Poe had went to University of Virginia, all the problems he had there, and his time at West Point Academy. 📖
This book is by far the best historical fiction about Edgar Allan Poe I've ever read. I've read everything by Poe several times over and find him intriguing, and it was very correct. The theories on what his short stories and poems were possibly based on seemed pretty accurate. 🖊
One thing I didn't know was that it was rumored that Fanny Osgood's daughter, Fanny Fay, was possibly fathered by Poe. Which is what led me to "Plumes in the Dust" which I haven't gotten delivered yet. But it's on the way! 📚
I also didn't know that Poe's brother was also a poet, or the circumstances of what happened to him, or where Muddy went after Poe's death.
Another thing I didn't know- Poe's grandfather was a general in the Revolutionary War. What was even more interesting was that their family was from Londonderry, Ireland, which is where my McCormack ancestors were from. (No relation, but they would have at least crossed the pond in the same 20 year time span. So I thought that was neat.) 🌹
I had also never really considered the cooping theory, but from what we know it makes alot of sense. We'll never really know, but it makes it more interesting.
When I ran upon things in the plot I didn't know, it triggered me to research it further.
Also SUPER glad I ordered my copy when I did because while I paid $8 for my copy, it shot up to $22 on Thriftbooks. 🥺 So yall need to be ordering what I order because that isn't the first time it's happened that way. 🤣
So if you want a good historical fiction to latch on to, this is it.

#booksworthreading #booktok #books #thriftbooks #SupportYourLibrary #edgarallanpoe #besthistoricalfiction

[Mike Kitter · Rating 5 out of 5]

What makes this book interesting is how the author used letters both to and from Poe to help paint an accurate picture of his life. While I cannot claim to have read every single book out there about Poe, I think this book offers a little something to new fans of Poe as well as those who consider themselves well-versed in the life of Poe.
What makes this book unique is the actual portrayal of Poe as a human being. I've read countless books that focus more on the darker side of the life of Poe which turn him into no more than a freak show. Andrew Barger did a superb job.

I received a free copy of this book in a Goodreads giveaway.

[Erin Evenchick · Rating 3 out of 5]

Received as a Goodreads Giveaway.

I'm of mixed minds on this book. On the one hand, it is quite enjoyable, and has some great gossipy bits about Poe's life. On the other, some details were left out, leaving some passages a bit confusing.

Overall though, I did enjoy this book...the perfect one to start on Halloween!

[Julia Hunter · Rating 2 out of 5]

I never was a fan of Poe and this book did little to change that. While he had a rough childhood he blamed all of the things that went wrong in life on others and never took responsibility. I only made it half way through.

[Deb · Rating 2 out of 5]

Mediocre historical novel rendered somewhat palpable by interspersing some of Poe's actual correspondence into the storyline. Even so.....not worth it.