Burton Pollin

Poe's Seductive Influence on Great Writers Burton Pollin

Each of the twelve prominent writers named on the front cover of this book shows the telling effect on his publications of Poe's life or works, as indicated in Dr. Pollin's articles and reviews. Their "testimony" varies: Kipling states his great "debt to Poe"; Henry James, in two important works pivotally quotes from Poe's novel and The Raven; Walter de la Mare's tale features Poe as a reluctant ghost; a major novel by Thomas Mann links the chief characters and their declining family to those of "Usher"; James Thurber in cartoon sketches and tales reveals himself to be "haunted by Poe"; in Melville's fictions are seventy unmistakable traces for characters, situations, and settings; the same is true for Stephen King plus his ending thematically every chapter in Gerald's Game with "Nevermore"; Ginsberg devotedly visits Poe's various homes, lauds him by name in his own poems, and teaches his works as models; Terry Southern purposefully recreates his teenage enthusiasm for Poe's horror-filled Pym; Stevenson knowledgeably evaluates Poe's works in numerous commentaries for an unpublished review; and Hemingway's fiction appears as indebted to Poe's. In addition a final section of book reviews demonstrates Poe's continuing sway.