Poe: A Life Cut Short (Ackroyd's Brief Lives)

Gothic mysterious theatrical fatally flawed and dazzling the life of Edgar Allan Poe one of Americas greatest and most versatile writers is the ideal subject for Peter Ackroyd Poe wrote lyrical poetry and macabre psychological melodramas invented the first fictional detective and produced pioneering works of science fiction and fantasy His innovative style images and themes had a tremendous impact on European romanticism symbolism and surrealism and continue to influence writers today In this essential addition to his canon of acclaimed biographies Peter Ackroyd explores Poes literary accomplishments and legacy against the background of his erratic dramatic and sometimes sordid life Ackroyd chronicles Poes difficult childhood his bumpy academic and military careers and his complex relationships with women including his marriage to his thirteen-year-old cousin He describes Poes much-written-about problems with gambling and alcohol with sympathy and insight showing their connections to Poes childhood and the trials as well as the triumphs of his adult life Ackroyds thoughtful perceptive examinations of some of Poes most famous works shed new light on these classics and on the troubled and brilliant genius who created them.