Book Question and Philadelphia - Poe International: The International Edgar A Poe Society

Midnightdreary · Senior Member

RE: Book Question and Philadelphia

monday love · Veteran Member

How was the 'Poe debate?' Did Boston hold its own?

davidvmd · Member

I AM GLAD YOU GOT A CHANCE TO ATTEND- I PLAN TO GET INTO THE CITY. MY WORK SCHEUDLE IS CRAZY RIGHT NOW. I AM A VETERINARIAN AND ALL THE DOGS AND CATS OF THE WORLD SEEM TO BE SICK THIS MONTH. MAYBE I SHOULD STRAT TREATING RAVENS !!

Midnightdreary · Senior Member

Philly friends, I was just down your way for the past couple of days. Last night, of course, was "The Great Poe Debate" - if you didn't hear about it, you need to buy a newspaper or watch the news occasionally.

I also checked out the Philadelphia Free Library's display of the Richard Gimble Collection in the Rare Book & Manuscripts department. It's FREE and definitely worth it.

Closing soon (mid-February, I believe?) is a fascinating exhibit at the Library Company of Philadelphia on the "Gothic Writers" of that city: Poe and Robert Montgomery Bird, with especially satisfyingly heavy focus on George Lippard and Charles Brockden Brown. Another freebie - check it out while you can!

davidvmd · Member

Hello Augusta-

What area do you live in? I live in Abington Township. There are quite a few Poe events that have happened or will be happening. Not as many as other cities but the list is at least a page. I can foreward the list if you would l,ike or you can go to the Poe House website and they have an extensive list. Also, if you search Friends of Poe they have a newsletter that you can get if you join the group- not sure of cost. Glad to know there is a list member who is local. I recently joined the list and I really enjoy it.
Dave

augusta · Newbie

Davidvmd, I live in Philly area and have found it very difficult to locatemuch in the way of Poe events, and that's very disappointing.

I have the Silverman book and will begin reading it as soon as I finish Midnight Dreary, which I am enjoying. I am going to Baltimore in October and am trying to cram in as many Poe readings as possible before that trip.

Midnightdreary · Senior Member

Garth, I had thought I was the only one who had even heard of My Savage Muse! I found it entertaining, though bordering on silly. My final impression of it was that they really overplayed obsession with death. Then again, that book is, what, 1960s? Maybe '70s?

Garth · Veteran Member

I just bought the book late last year and have started reading it. I'm quite impressed with the level of detail and scholarliness of the book, although the pacing is a little slow...so far (I'm not deep into it yet).

Has anyone ever read an obscure book about Poe called My Savage Muse, by Bernhardt J. Hurwood? It's an "imaginative work" written in a first person point of view -- the mind of Poe. The author actually doesn't do too bad a job of capturing Poe's cadences and diction, so it's quite entertaining.

The first paragraph begins..."I am the most abject sinner in the eyes of Almight God---an object of scorn, of horror, of detestation in the eyes of my fellow men."

Midnightdreary · Senior Member

I won't be in Philadelphia for the opening of the new exhibits, though I hope to get to them soon! As a former tour guide there, I had the pleasure of following the plans as they developed (slowly). It's great to see it finally happen: the museum portion of the site hadn't been updated since its opening in 1978 (!!). We weren't even sure it was really happening; for so long, it just felt like a tease!

Silverman's book is great for facts and info on Poe's life. Just ignore his literary analysis and his incessant psychoanalysis. You'll see that some of the connections he makes, especially to names of family members being referenced in his stories, are a bit of a stretch. He also has some moments that are no very sympathetic to Poe (though, I know others are more bothered by this than I am). It's a good read though - enjoy! Let us know what you think when you're done.

davidvmd · Member

Hello All-

I recently began reading Edgar A. Poe Mournful and Never-ending Remembrance by Kenneth Silverman.

Has anyone else read this book? I really like the style and format and how it offers a lot of in depth information about his family members and is not just a life story in chronological order.

Also...is anyone else in the Philadelphia, PA area. The Poe museum will re-open over his birthday weekend. I have reviewed the exhibit plans and they look great. Hopefully I will be able to get there on the 18th.

Take Care

Dave smile