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A Mystery of Mysteries
A Mystery of Mysteries: The Death and Life of Edgar Allan Poe | Mark Dawidziak
17 posts | 18 read | 15 to read
A Mystery of Mysteries is a brilliant biography of Edgar Allan Poe that examines the renowned authors life through the prism of his mysterious death and its many possible causes. It is a moment shrouded in horror and mystery. Edgar Allan Poe died on October 7, 1849, at just forty, in a painful, utterly bizarre manner that would not have been out of place in one of his own tales of terror. What was the cause of his untimely death, and what happened to him during the three missing days before he was found, delirious and in great distress on the streets of Baltimore, wearing ill-fitting clothes that were not his own? Mystery and horror. Poe, who remains one of the most iconic of American writers, died under haunting circumstances that reflect the two literary genres he took to new heights. Over the years, there has been a staggering amount of speculation about the cause of death, from rabies and syphilis to suicide, alcoholism, and even murder. But many of these theories are formed on the basis of the caricature we have come to associate with Poe: the gloomy-eyed grandfather of Goth, hunched over a writing desk with a raven perched on one shoulder, drunkenly scribbling his chilling masterpieces. By debunking the myths of how he lived, we come closer to understanding the real Poeand uncovering the truth behind his mysterious death, as a new theory emerges that could prove the cause of Poes death was haunting him all his life. In a compelling dual-timeline narrative alternating between Poes increasingly desperate last months and his brief but impactful life, Mark Dawidziak sheds new light on the enigmatic master of macabre.
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sdbruening
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Pickpick

Very insightful book about the death and life of Edgar Allan Poe. Draws on a lot of previous biographies and speculations. I didn‘t like that the book jumped around chronologically. Edgar Allan Poe didn‘t really intend on being known for horror, but poetry.
They suspected he had very low tolerance for alcohol and was perhaps allergic to it. Had a beloved cat called Catterina. Compelling arguments for latent tuberculosis causing his death.

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sdbruening
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🤨 Nobody reads Longfellow? Lies. I read Longfellow. And I read Poe.

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sdbruening
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The spooky side of the street 👻

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RobinTheDustCatcher
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I love finding signed editions at Barnes & Noble! And I love Poe, so I hope this is good!

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RowReads1
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A birthday gift from mum😀🥳.

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Amie
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Pickpick

This was interesting. Discussed the misconceptions we have about Poe, but there is much that is just impossible to know or figure out at this point.

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RamsFan1963
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Bailedbailed

I'm bailing on this at 28%. I don't think I'm enough of a Poe fan to find this examination of his death, and events leading up to it, very interesting. I do think people who are big fans of the author would enjoy the book.

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Cortg
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Pickpick

An in-depth account of Edgar Allen Poe‘s life. Living outside of Baltimore, there seems to be constant reminders of the poet/writer. I learned a lot about him through this audio and I enjoyed the thoughts surrounding his mysterious death. Now I need to visit his house museum & grave and check out the newly renovated Lexington Market while I‘m at it! #Pop23 ~a book where the main character‘s name is in the title

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BC_Dittemore
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Pickpick

It seems fitting that the father of the modern detective story and master of the macabre would die under circumstances that could have come straight from one of his stories. If only we had C. Auguste Dupin to shine a light on this mystery of mysteries! In his stead, Dawidziak does his best to, if not solve the case, present a compelling portrait of what could have led to Poe‘s demise. It‘s a fascinating study of a misunderstood literary icon.

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Jen2
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Pickpick

Good stuff!

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catiewithac
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Pickpick

I thoroughly enjoyed this new biography of Edgar Allan Poe. The author devotes equal attention to Poe‘s death and life, but his death remains quite mysterious and tragic. Extra points for featuring my favorite narrator, Grover Gardner, on the audiobook! ✒️

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Sara_Planz
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Pickpick


As someone who has been obsessed with Poe since I was young, I have devoured biographies about him alongside his dozens of incredible pieces. My first tattoo was his signature after all, and I have an entire bookcase devoted to his works and all the pop culture paraphernalia bearing his image that I can find. I found this book immensely interesting and offered detailed clarity about Poe, one of the greatest authors America ever produced.

Meshell1313 Ooh this sounds great! Amazing review! 🤩 2y
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DGRachel
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Pickpick

This is a soft pick. The text is interesting, but dry. Grover Gardner is a good narrator, but I find his voice soporific, which doesn‘t help the academic tone of the book. Despite those shortcomings, it is a good look at the man behind the myth. If you‘re a fan of Poe‘s writing, this is worth the effort to read.

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TorieStorieS
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Pickpick

While I never considered myself to be Edgar Allan Poe‘s biggest fan, I couldn‘t help but be drawn to this latest biography. Alternating chapters focused on his life & then the days & weeks leading to his death, Dawidziak offers interesting facts, speculation & plenty of resources on Poe. I also hadn‘t fully realized just how familiar I really was with Poe‘s stories & poems until this refreshed me! I really enjoyed it-& certainly learned a lot too!

TheBookHippie Stacked! I love Poe. 2y
TorieStorieS @TheBookHippie I hope you enjoy it as much as I did! 🤗 2y
47 likes2 stack adds2 comments
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MonicaLoves2Read
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This publishes today!! 2/14/2023

#netgalley
#stmartinspress

16 likes1 stack add
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MonicaLoves2Read
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Mehso-so

A look at how Poe died. A lot of different possible ways. I lean toward one certain way bc it just seems the most plausible.

First book for #FabulousFebruary Readathon and #BookSpinBingo

@Andrew65 @TheAromaofBooks

#netgalley
#stmartinspress

Andrew65 Well done 👏👏👏 2y
TheAromaofBooks Woohoo!!! 2y
16 likes2 stack adds2 comments
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MonicaLoves2Read
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Having completed just forty years of what was without question a most stormy life, Edgar Allan Poe took leave of this realm early Sunday morning, October 7, 1849.

#FirstLineFridays
@ShyBookOwl