Rene Elda Bard

If I was to fit this book into a specific genera, I'd call it "historical science fiction". This book is essentially two stories intertwined together, so I'll write a bit about each story in turn.

The first 3/4 of this book is an historical fiction account of Edgar Allan Poe, taking place in 1849, three years after the death of his wife Virginia, and the year that he passed away. Saturated in booze, tired of reciting "The Raven" endless amounts of time, the well of poetry and stories that used to flow so freely becoming stagnant, he seeks for happiness and finds hardship. Hunted by day by reporters and fans, he uses aliases to slip by unnoticed. Haunted by night by the demons of his own imagination, he can't rest. Thoughts of past love occupy his mind, but in trying to rekindle the love it appears the spark is gone. Distraught and perhaps going mad, he searches for meaning in his miserable life.

The last 1/4 of the book is a science fiction tale in which the author himself (poet and author by day, working at a top secret lab inventing a time machine by night) meets and talks with Edgar Allan Poe in person. This part takes place in modern times, and involves strange twists and turns the reader does not expect.

It appears that the author has researched the main subject well. There are enjoyably interesting footnotes on the people, places, and history mentioned in the book. I'm personally not an expert on Poe, so I can't tell you for sure how accurate the portrayal of him here is, but to my limited knowledge it is good. There are a couple small, insignificant mistakes in the book (for instance, somebody in the story likes to take "Bergie oil" and "pour it in her tea", although such a tea would be impossible to drink. Bergamot oil is much too potent to "pour" into anything, just a few drops would be nigh overpowering, and you don't make tea with oils anyway because they sit on top of the water.) The book is clearly, however, a work of fiction, and should be read as such. It is an entertaining, interesting, and very good (albeit strange) book, and it puts the "novel" back in the word novel. Rene Bard: The Author of the Odd!… (mehr)

This was a very interesting novel, although one which takes some time and effort to read. Some knowledge of the life and works of Edgar Allan Poe is helpful, although not absolutely necessary. The work covers the last days of Poe, which, in reality, are shrouded in mystery. There are themes which draw from history, literature, psychology and philosophy. In the last third of the book, a strange twist occurs, and the author, Rene Elda Bard, becomes a character in his own novel! Although it is an odd turn of events, it is strangely effective. The book was clearly deeply researched. The novel contains almost 100 footnotes, which is odd in a work of fiction. They pertain to history, literature, Poe's life and word usage and meaning. Although interesting, the footnotes somewhat detract from the flow of the story. Over all, this is an interesting and well-done work of fiction, and I recommend it.… (mehr)