The poe shadow s groundbreaking research opens a new window on the truth behind poe s demise, literary historys most persistent enigma, with documented material never published before. Matthew pearl serves us his own poe theory in the guise of a mystery novel replete with rascals, election fraud, and grift. Matthew pearls second novel is based on what he calls one of literary historys most persistent gaps. In 1849 baltimore, following the death of edgar allan poe, quentin clark, a young city dweller fiercely loyal to his favorite author, discovers that poes final days had been marked by a series of bizarre, unanswered questions and, inspired by poes fictional detective c. The poe shadow matthew pearl, 2006 random house 400 pp. The author of the dante club returns with his sophomore novel, set in mid 19th century baltimore and paris. Matthew pearl the official site of the poe shadow, the historical novel about the death of edgar allan poe. Matthew pearl has now created a twobook franchise on the cusp of mystery. Matthew pearls the poe shadow is the first book ive read in a while that i did not like at all.
Matthew pearl audio books, best sellers, author bio. Yes, many of my ideas come from subjects i have always been interested in. Matthew pearl books list of books by author matthew pearl. The poe shadow by matthew pearl 370pp, harvill secker. Pearls groundbreaking researchfeaturing documented material never published beforeopens a new window on the truth behind poes demise, literary historys most persistent enigma. Discover more authors youll love listening to on audible. The reader will be able to smell the air in the city.
The conclusion that poe was a secondrate writer who died a drunkard is accepted by all. The public, the press, and even edagar allen poes own family and friends accept the conclusion that poe was a secondrate writer who met a disgraceful end as a drunkard. The poe shadow is a novel by matthew pearl, first published by random house in 2006. In the poe shadow, pearl claims to have cleared up once and for all the mysterious circumstances surrounding the death of edgar allan poe, the grandfather of all armchair sleuths. Matthew pearl born october 2, 1975 is an american novelist and educator. Everyone, in fact, seems to believe this except a young baltimore lawyer named quentin clark, an ardent admirer who puts his own career and reputation at risk in a passionate crusade to. Matthew pearl is the new york times bestselling author of the dante club, the poe shadow, the last dickens, the technologists, the last bookaneer, and the dante chamber, and the editor of the modern library editions of dantes inferno translated by henry wadsworth longfellow and edgar allan poes the murders in the rue morgue. Through the eyes of a baltimore lawyer named quentin clark, pearl o. The main character quentin clarke seeks to set the record straight re the treatment given to poe after his death. The poe shadow by matthew pearl, 9780812970128, available at book depository with free delivery worldwide. Matthew pearl is the new york times bestselling author of the dante club and the editor of the modern library editions of dantes inferno translated by henry wadsworth longfellow and edgar allen poes the murder in the rue morgue. Meticulously researched, the poe shadow perfectly captures this tumultuous american century where slavery is rife, suspicion of ones neighbor is prevalent, and the poor are ever oppressed. Which came first, an enthusiasm for poe, or your idea for the novel. The poe shadow, by matthew pearl the new york times.
Matthew pearl booklist matthew pearl message board. Pearl s masterful novels the dante club and the poe shadow bridge the gap between literature and popular fiction, winning him international praise from critics and readers, no matter how high their brows may be. The poe shadow is an astounding piece of history mingled with fiction, and it is quite evident from the novel that pearl has as much interest in poe as narrator quentin. The poe shadow audiobook by matthew pearl, erik singer. If youre partial to historical mysteries and especially if youre a fan of edgar allan poe, this is one that might be of interest. Browse matthew pearls bestselling audiobooks and newest titles. I had read the dante club and so knew what to expect with thisa great book and was not disappointed. Matthew pearls second novel, the poe shadow demonstrates the authors. Matthew pearl is the new york times bestselling author of the dante club, the poe shadow, the last dickens, the technologists, the last bookaneer, and the dante chamber, and the editor of the modern library editions of. The thriller writer robert ludlum pioneered a style of titlebranding which. Matthew pearl s the poe shadow is the first book ive read in a while that i did not like at all. And when pearl goes for the horror aspects of poe, he delivers, but again, there is just too much needless filler to merit more than a three star rating.
It is a work of historical and literary fiction, where some previously unpublished details about the last days of poe are conveyed through the thoughts and the actions of the main character, along. It tells the story of one young lawyers quest to solve the mystery of edgar allan poes death in 1849. The body of edgar allan poe has been buried in an unmarked grave. Free download or read online the dante club pdf epub book.
The main characters of this historical, historical fiction story are quentin clark, edgar allan poe. Matthew pearl is the new york times bestselling author of the dante club, the poe shadow, the last dickens, the technologists, the last bookaneer, and the dante chamber, and the editor of the modern library editions of dantes inferno translated by henry wadsworth longfellow and edgar allan poe s the murders in the rue morgue. Matthew pearls bestselling the dante club 2003 successfully meshed history, literature, and mystery. It is a work of historical and literary fiction, where some previously unpublished details about the last days of poe are conveyed through the thoughts and the actions of the main character, along with the. Presenting matthew pearls highlyanticipated novel, now a new york times bestseller.
If you are a fan of poes, then this book should be the next one you read. The book was published in multiple languages including english, consists of 367 pages and is available in hardcover format. Everyone, in fact, seems to believe this except a young baltimore lawyer named quentin clark, who puts his own career and reputation at risk in a passionate crusade to salvage poes. I read the poe shadow, by matthew pearl, after having read his later book, the last dickens. Free download or read online the poe shadow pdf epub book. Quentin tells us, poe once wrote in a tale about the conflict between the substance and the shadow inside of us. Matthew pearls novel the poe shadow 2006 tells the story of a young lawyers attempt to solve the mystery behind edgar allan poes death. Poe based on existing and new research by the author.
Though he tries to duplicate this formula and honor a great american writer, the poe shadow fails to garner similar interest. The poe shadow book central arkansas library system. But none of this deters quentin clark, an ardent admirer who risks his own career and reputation in a passionate crusade to salvage poe s. It tells the story of one young lawyers quest to solve the mystery of edgar allan poe s death in 1849. The dante club has been published in more than thirty languages and forty countries around the world. Pearl was born in new york city and grew up in fort. Clark discovers that poe s last days are riddled with vital. The thriller writer robert ludlum pioneered a style of titlebranding which used an emphatic definite article followed by. The poe shadow can be read as a celebration of edgar allan poe. The first edition of the novel was published in 2003, and was written by matthew pearl.
The poe shadow is best understood as a franchise followup to a very clever debut novel. The poe shadow isbn 9781400061037 pdf epub matthew pearl. In the dante club, matthew pearl combined history, mystery and literature into a book that reveled in. His novels include the dante club, the poe shadow, the last dickens, the technologists, and the last bookaneer. The poe shadow, by matthew pearl the new york times book. The public, the press, and even poes own family and friends accept the conclusion that poe was a secondrate writer who met a disgraceful end as a drunkard. Edgar allan poe died, pearl tells us, at the age of 40 in a baltimore hospital on oct. The poe shadow, matthew pearl books, brains and beer. The stillunexplained death of edgar allan poe 180949 is the subject of the cambridge, mass. The resulting novel is a publishing event that would make poe himself proud bookpage. Pearl masterfully combines fact with fiction and presents some genuinely new historical clues that help reconstruct poes final days. First, pearls attempt to echo 19thcentury prose is fusty and verbose. The substance, what we know we should do, and the shadow, the dangerous and giggling imp of the perverse, the dark knowledge of what we must or will do or secretly want.
The poe shadow by matthew pearl book club discussion. Browse author series lists, sequels, pseudonyms, synopses, book covers, ratings and awards. When mystery is being set up andor explained, it is as enjoyable as poes three tales of the great detective. The poe shadow by matthew pearl includes matthew pearls exclusive audio afterword on the truth behind poes death. The resulting novel is a publishing event that, through sublime craftsmanship, subtle wit, and devious twists, does honor to poe himself.
This feeling is the same one reserved for the reader of the poe shadow. He has a beautiful home, a solid legal practice, and an engagement to a lifelong friend. The last dickens is a tale filled with the dazzling twists and turns, the unerring period details, and the meticulous research that thrilled readers of the best sellers the dante club and the poe shadow. Matthew pearl has captured the author and his baltimore of 1849 richly and in great detail. Pdf the poe shadow book by matthew pearl free download.
The main characters of this mystery, fiction story are henry wadsworth longfellow. Matthew pearl has full command of his idiom as he captures the pretensions of the upper class, while also spinning a deftly observed mystery story that. Pdf the dante club book by matthew pearl free download. Everyone seems to accept the conclusion that poe was a secondrate writer who met a disgraceful end except for a young baltimore lawyer named quentin clark. Readers have been wondering what really happened ever since. The first edition of the novel was published in 2006, and was written by matthew pearl. The resulting novel is a publishing event that would make poe himself proud. It tells the story of one young lawyers quest to solve the mystery of. Quentin clark, a smart young lawyer, has everything one could hope for.
The book was published in multiple languages including english, consists of 424 pages and is available in mass market paperback format. I believe this minor action on my part may explain why i favor the latter work in preference to the former, an opinion that seems contrary to those of my fellow readers. Everyone seems to accept the conclusion that poe was a secondrate writer who met a disgraceful end except for a young baltimore lawyer named quentin clark, an ardent admirer. I started reading poe in high school, formore thanks for asking, seregon. In his most enthralling novel yet, the critically acclaimed author matthew pearl reopens one of literary historys greatest mysteries.