"Orion: An Epic English Poem" Introduced by Andrew Barger

"Orion: An Epic English Poem" Interview

(July 27, 2008)

Q1: Hi Andrew. Why did you decide to introduce "Orion," Richard Horne's epic English poem that has been out of print for 80 years?

A1: "Orion" is the best epic poem most people outside of academia have never read. I came upon it while researching material for a recent book I edited titled: “Edgar Allan Poe: Annotated and Illustrated Entire Stories and Poems.” Edgar Allan Poe lavished praise upon the poem. Thanks to Poe’s beacon in the night, “Orion,” this giant tanker of a poem, did not end its life in a watery grave. It has merely been lost at sea for the past 80 years.

Q2: What did Poe have to say about "Orion"?

A2: As a critic, Poe wrote with an iron pen. Poe said in his review of the poem in Graham's Magazine in 1844: "It is our deliberate opinion that, in all that regards the loftiest and holiest attributes of the true Poetry, 'Orion' has never been excelled. Indeed we feel strongly inclined to say that it has never been equaled." That's saying a lot from the poet who wrote: “Ulalume,” “The Raven,” “The Coliseum,” “Annabel Lee,” and “The Conqueror Worm,” among others.

Q3: Did other authors of note like "Orion" when it was published?

A3: As Charlotte Brontë stated in her letter to Richard Horne on December 15, 1847:

. . . there are passages I shall recur to again and yet again – passages instinct both with power and beauty. All through it is genuine – pure from one flaw of affection, rich in noble imagery.

Q4: Was the poem popular when first published?

A4: Like any epic work of poetry, "Orion" took a bit of time to get legs under it. Richard Horne, however, did brilliant marketing by giving the first few editions of the poem away for a few pennies. By doing this he got a lot of free publicity. From this, and great reviews in America by the likes of Edgar Allan Poe, "Orion" became very popular.

Q5: Besides your introduction what else is included in the book?

A5: “Orion” is brought to life as never before with annotations, background into the life of Richard Horne, illustrations, photos, and a review by arguably one of America’s greatest poets and critics, Edgar Allan Poe. The book also contains an afterword by Richard Horne.

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