Poe was plagued and haunted most of all by something pretty banal: poverty. Probably the most eccentric decision in life was to become a writer in an age when making a living at it was nearly impossible. Matthew Pearl agebanaldecision share on social
There's a remarkable power about reading together, reading collectively, that's brought out by reading groups. Matthew Pearl bringcollectivelygroup Change image and share on social
As a writer of historical fiction, I believe you don't want to fictionalize gratuitously; you want the fictional aspects to prod and pressure the history into new and exciting reactions. Matthew Pearl aspectexcitfiction Change image and share on social
For several years at the University of Virginia, students had an annual tradition of raising hell around campus, burning tar barrels and shooting pistols into the air. Matthew Pearl airannualbarrel Change image and share on social
Considering what a prolific writer Dickens was, the word 'Dickensian' could legitimately cover a vast thematic territory, explaining at least some of the variety of its applications. Matthew Pearl applicationcoverdicken Change image and share on social
Porter Square Books was the only place I could find that was dog-friendly, work-friendly, and had food. I was there all the time. Matthew Pearl bookdogfind Change image and share on social
I still have my high school copy of the collected Poe - missing its covers and pretty worse for the wear. Matthew Pearl badlycollectcopy Change image and share on social
Dickens's final book, 'The Mystery of Edwin Drood,' forms the jumping-off point for my new novel, 'The Last Dickens'. This last work by Dickens has very little social commentary and a pretty tightly efficient storyline and cast of characters. Not necessarily what we think of when we think what characterizes Dickens. Matthew Pearl bookcastcharacter share on social
Harvard was also a little bit of a villain in my first book, 'The Dante Club.' I guess there might be a way to make Harvard more of a sympathetic presence, but it's such a powerful institution that it more naturally lends itself toward not necessarily a negative but an obstructionist element in a story. Matthew Pearl bitebookclub share on social
I had a dog named Oliver with severe separation anxiety. He couldn't be alone... so I had to bring him wherever I went. Matthew Pearl anxietybringdog Change image and share on social