The Man Who Was Poe
A Novel

Author: Avi

Narrator: David Case

Unabridged: 5 hr 2 min

Format: Digital Audiobook Download

Publisher: Blackstone Publishing

Published: 05/23/2012

Categories: Children's Fiction, Children's Mystery & Detective

Synopsis

A mystery of uncertainties and distrust envelops young Edmund as he desperately searches for his missing mother in the murky streets of Providence, Rhode Island in 1848. His aunt, who went in search of her, is now dead. And now his sister has disappeared! How can he find them when facts are woven into fiction, when people are not who they say they are? Acclaimed author Avi has penned a novel of great intrigue, bringing alive this New England seacoast town in the mid-1800s, haunting the listener with a tale of things which are not what they seem to be. Or are they?

About Avi

Avi is one of the most celebrated authors writing for children today, having received two Boston Globe–Horn Book Awards, a Scott O’Dell Award for Historical Fiction, a Christopher Award, a Newbery Medal, and two Newbery Honors. He is the author of more than eighty books, including two short-story collections, What Do Fish Have to Do with Anything? and The Most Important Thing. Avi lives in Colorado.

About David Case

Frederick Davidson (1932–2005), also known as David Case, was one of the most prolific readers in the audiobook industry, recording more than eight hundred audiobooks in his lifetime, including over two hundred for Blackstone Audio. Born in London, he trained at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art and performed for many years in radio plays for the British Broadcasting Company before coming to America in 1976. He received AudioFile’s Golden Voice Award and numerous Earphones Awards and was nominated for a Grammy for his readings.

Reviews

Goodreads review by jv on March 22, 2024

I have just “discovered” the author, Avi. Meaning, of course, that one of “my” students brought him to my attention. I had asked the students to fill in a wish-list of books to be added to their classroom library and someone requested a book by Avi. The name stuck with me, and wouldn’t you know, aft......more

Goodreads review by Hope on January 12, 2019

This book is pretty . . . dark . . . for a middle grade book. I mean, it may not be middle grade, but the style seemed very middle grade to me. I bet it's hard to write a book about Edgar Allan Poe without it being dark and stabby. Ya know, cause he's Edgar Allan Poe. It had ghosts (which were basic......more

Goodreads review by Amy H. on June 12, 2013

As a young reader, I read and thoroughly enjoyed some of Avi's novels. I fully expected to love this one. There's a lot to recommend it: a genuinely baffling mystery with the fate of a young boy and his sister hanging in the balance, plenty of atmospheric settings in one of my very favorite cities (P......more

Goodreads review by Heather on September 22, 2015

Edmund and his sister are desperate it has been 3 days and Auntie is still not home. Edmond ventures out for food and when he returns, Sis is gone! Edmund meets Auguste Dupin aka Edgar Allan Poe and Poe unwillingly stumbles upon clues and helps Edmund solve the mystery. Edmund's life parallels Edgar......more

Goodreads review by Cassie on November 17, 2024

Now I want to rewatch The Pale Blue Eye.......more

Quotes

“Suspenseful fiction that works extremely well.”
Horn Book

“The writing is that of a true master…A suspenseful, thought-provoking novel that combines mystery with historical fiction.”
Children’s Book Review Service