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Title: Eddie

Subtitle: The Lost Youth of Edgar Allan Poe

Author: Scott Gustafson

Narrator: Johnny Heller

Format: Unabridged

Length: 2 hrs and 33 mins

Language: English

Release date: 07-31-17

Publisher: Oasis Audio

Genres: Kids, Ages 8-10

Publisher's Summary:

When Eddie wakes up in his neighbor the judge's yard after a particularly vivid dream and with no recollection of how he got there, the trouble begins. Someone or something has caused mischief in the judge's chicken coop, harming his prized rooster. No matter what Eddie says, the judge is convinced he is the culprit and must be punished accordingly.

Given one day to find the true culprit before the punishment is bestowed, he meets Captain Mephisto, a magician with more than the standard tricks up his sleeve and possibly a demon on his back. Guided by logic, but entranced by the poetry of the paranormal, Eddie solves the mystery but still manages to keep a few secrets that will serve him later in life. With the help of Raven and the prodding of a mischievous imp, McCobber, it is no wonder that Eddie becomes the man he does.

Members Reviews:

Intriguing Story with Beautiful Artwork

Before discovering this book, I already knew that Scott Gustafson was a great artist, but I didn't know that he was also a talented writer. I was mesmerized and was unable to stop reading until the end, even though I stayed up late and lost sleep in the process. The plot is very creative and is both suspenseful and touching.

The book is lavishly illustrated with large drawings on most pages. As befitting a tale about Edgar Allan Poe, the black and white illustrations are eerie, but they are also gorgeous. Although Poe had a tormented childhood and the story is rather sad and scary, it was not depressing to me. In fact, I found it to be uplifting because the major theme seems to be the importance of showing kindness and love by family (biological or foster) and friends (including servants). I think this book would appeal to most adults, as well as to teens and older children.

The above review is for the hardcover edition, but I'd also like to comment on the Kindle edition, which my husband bought. He always prefers to read from his tablet, although I warned him that the Kindle edition would probably not do justice to the fabulous illustrations. As expected, the drawings are much smaller when viewed on a tablet, even a large-screen one. Zooming in doesn't help much; it makes the pictures larger but blurry, so you miss a lot of detail. Also it's annoying to have to keep zooming in and out of the pictures--to me, it breaks the spell of the story. Therefore, I recommend that people buy this book in a paper version.

A pleasing chapter book.

This book has two great things going for it... the subject of Poe and Gustafson's wonderful artwork! Both of which I give highest ratings! Gustafson is an outstanding artist and I have every book that I can find that is illustrated by him. Five star keepers every one!

This is the only book I've read by Gustafson and it is a well done chapter book. The author obviously researched and provides the reader with the sad facts of Poe's humble beginnings and upbringing before branching off into fantasy and fiction.

As the only child to a kindly, loving foster mother and a stern, impossible-to-please foster father, it is easy to see how a lonesome child would create an imaginary companion that only he could see or speak with - the mischievous imp. Young Poe is also an animal lover and his other companion is an actual crow (who also speaks only to him).

I could not help seeing his imp companion as a metaphor for his father's legacy to young Poe...