Title: The Fall
Author: Bethany Griffin
Genre: Horror, Young Adult
Publisher: Greenwillow Books
Publication Date: October 7 2014
Hardcover: 420 Pages
Madeline Usher is doomed.
She has spent her life fighting fate, and she thought she was succeeding. Until she woke up in a coffin.
Ushers die young. Ushers are cursed. Ushers can never leave their house, a house that haunts and is haunted, a house that almost seems to have a mind of its own. Madeline’s life—revealed through short bursts of memory—has hinged around her desperate plan to escape, to save herself and her brother. Her only chance lies in destroying the house.
In the end, can Madeline keep her own sanity and bring the house down? The Fall is a literary psychological thriller, reimagining Edgar Allan Poe’s classic The Fall of the House of Usher.
Stand alone or series: Stand alone
How did I get this book: Review copy via Netgalley
Format (e- or p-): eARC
Why did I read this book: That cover! The prospect of a spooky Halloween read and in interest in reading The Fall of the House of Usher from the sister’s perspective.
Review:
“The Fall of the House of Usher” is one of Edgar Allan Poe’s most famous stories. It follows an unnamed narrator as he visits his friend Roderick Usher and witnesses Roderick’s (as well as his sister’s, and his house’s) mental and corporeal deterioration in what is often described as a melancholy, macabre piece of gothic fiction. The thing about Poe’s original (and probably most of Poe’s work) is that it’s an interesting combination of factual horror and psychological horror. The House of Usher can be taken as the literal house or as the “cursed” Usher lineage; the story divided in actual reality of a haunted house and the psychological terrors that could or could not be directly linked to it. Is Roderick really ill? Is he ill because the house makes him so or is that a self-fulfilling prophesy connected to the Ushers?
If I am honest though, “The Fall of the House of Usher” always read as one of Poe’s least interesting works to me because it reads as a perfunctory horror story where one thing must follow the other and then we have this ultra-cheesy macabre ending in which corpses crumble to the floor just because. Plus, at the point when I first read it, I was already over the whole buried alive thing. And the whole emo thing. Ok fine, I was over Poe.
Still, I recognize the fact that “The Fall of the House of Usher” is effective as a short horror story. But in it, we are introduced to Roderick’s sister, Madeline Usher, who is an utterly voiceless character (unless you count her scream when she is buried alive), which makes that short story a prime choice for a retelling. Cue The Fall by Bethany Griffin which is “The Fall of the House of Usher” retold from Madeline’s perspective. That viewpoint choice is what made me want to read it.
Madeline and Roderick Usher are twins and very close. When they are twelve, Roderick is sent away to school by their mother, bent on protecting her favourite child, determined to keep him away from the house and the curse that afflicts most of the Ushers. By doing so, she (the evil villain) dooms her daughter to receive all of the house’s attention. Sickly and lonely, Madeline spends most of her time torn between wanting the world outside and being sucked into the reality of the House: a reality that includes illness, doctors, ghosts, books and a need to fight off the curse.
The Fall is divided in small chapters titled according Madeline’s age at that point, that go back and forth in time following Madeline’s cursed life. “Cursed” being the operative word here: from an early age Madeline realises she – as an Usher of the House of Usher – is cursed. Cursed like her mother and father, like every Usher that came before. Just what exactly is the nature of said curse, how it came about and how it affects its victims and how to break it, is the focus of the story. And when I say focus, I mean: repetitive, monotonous, one-note babbling focus on said curse. The Fall spends an inordinate amount of time around it, on long-drawn-out, forced attempts to build an “atmosphere” by including ghosts, dastardly abusive parents and caricatured abusive doctors and memory-loss “twists” that backfire by leading the story into boring territory. 420 pages of this merry-go-round is excessive.
More interesting to me are the choices with regards to the retelling. I like that the viewpoint is Madeline’s and that it gives her a voice. But this interesting choice is contrasted to that of taking the originally psychological self-fulfilling prophesy into a silly, literal curse – a silly, misogynistic curse no less – which affects the “intended” of the house’s Chosen One. The first, more often than not, a woman; the latter, a man.
If you’ve read Poe’s original, The Fall doesn’t really add anything to the original story. If you haven’t, I dare say there are other, better horror stories to read this Halloween. Save yourself, before it is too late!
Notable Quotes/Parts:
The first thing I notice is that my blanket is gone. The last of my nightly rituals is to pull it all the way to my chin, and it never falls away, no matter what nightmares I wrestle before I wake. But something else is wrong; I try to move, and though I don’t seem to be paralyzed, my arms are pinned tightly to my sides. My brain is slow; the horror saturates me gradually. I struggle, twist to the left, and free one arm.
Reaching up, my trembling hand gets only a few inches before my fingers touch cool stone. I blink. My lashes spider-touch my cheeks, and then that touch is gone, so my eyes must be open. The dull, compressed darkness is so absolute that I cannot see my shaking hand, even as I bend my elbow and press my fingers against my right eye, and then my left—gently, very gently—to make certain both still rest in their sockets. My eyes are intact. But the relief dissipates as I recognize the shape of my prison, the feel of the thin padding beneath me, the slope of the cool stone. The plush lining . . .
This darkness is the darkness of a coffin.
Rating: 3 – Bad
Reading Next: Hangsaman by Shirley Jackson
Buy the Book:
(click on the links to purchase)
84 Comments
Anita
October 28, 2014 at 9:23 amSounds like it has potential, but perhaps needed a bit more to make the story really come alive. The nod to Poe’s Fall of the House of Usher and taking an unexplored side of the story seems like an intriguing idea, although you raise some good points with Poe’s original. Nice review!
Bruno Mars 24k Magic
May 8, 2017 at 8:10 pmA good tip to use when thinking about downloading music is to make sure you aren’t tying up your
internet connection with other things. This is why in Africa no matter the language, regardless of their pace and taste.
This is because there are some formats that would not play in some devices.
Himanshu
October 23, 2018 at 1:23 amIf you were looking for some tricky game then the euchre is the best choice for you just visit here https://myeuchre.com and play euchre online without any pay and download the goal in the euchre is to player have to make more hands than your opponent to be the winner.
Hasilbertapa
December 15, 2018 at 5:03 amA good site with exciting content, that is what I need. Thank you, I have recently been looking for information approximately this topic for a while and yours is the best I have came upon till now. However, what about the conclusion? Are you positive in regards to the source?
Poker Online
March 1, 2019 at 3:34 amgood post and really lovely
Data Togel Singapura
March 1, 2019 at 4:22 amamazing and i like it
Data Togel Singapore
March 1, 2019 at 6:20 amlovely and beautiful
Agen Poker 2019
March 4, 2019 at 5:55 amoh my god really beautiful article
KING4D
March 12, 2019 at 1:48 pmreally beautiful article
Situs Poker Resmi
March 23, 2019 at 7:27 amamazing and really good
situs bola indonesia
April 2, 2019 at 4:08 pmthanks
please join with us at
http://ratugol.com
Judi Casino
April 24, 2019 at 4:03 amI like it and i will share it to others. Join us at http://bolanet88.biz
https://birubandarq.com/
May 21, 2019 at 2:21 amVery interesting articles with useful posts. thank you for sharing:)
login sbobet online
June 3, 2019 at 1:49 pmVery interesting articles with useful posts. thank you for sharing:)
login bluebet66
June 9, 2019 at 12:08 pmplay euchre online without any pay and download the goal in the euchre is to player have to make more hands than your opponent to b
www.sunday999.com
June 10, 2019 at 12:41 pmI need. Thank you, I have recently been looking for information approximately this topic for a while and yours is the best I have came upon till now. However, what about the conclusion? Are you positive in
idn casino
June 12, 2019 at 1:56 pmneed. Thank you, I have recently been looking for information approximately this topic for a while and yours is the best I have ca
agen osg777
June 12, 2019 at 5:22 pmHi There
Agen Poker Resmi
June 13, 2019 at 7:30 amReally Lovely and i like your post.. please come here and visit http://w88messi.com/
idn live casino
June 13, 2019 at 12:20 pm. Thank you, I have recently been looking for information approximately this topic for a while and yours is the best I have came upon till now. However, what about the conclusion? Are you positive
daftar osg777 online
June 13, 2019 at 2:56 pmDaftar osg777 online
scr888 apps download
June 20, 2019 at 12:32 pm, I have recently been looking for information approximately this topic for a while and yours is the best I have came upon till now. However, what about the conclusion? Are you
agen idnplay
June 24, 2019 at 11:41 ambeen looking for information approximately this topic for a while and yours is the best I have came upon till now. H
https://www.agenjudibolaresmi.vip/
July 13, 2019 at 12:26 amently been looking for information approximately this topic for a while and yours is the best I have came upon till now. However, wha
https://www.betplace88.vip/
July 13, 2019 at 12:27 amfor information approximately this topic for a while and yours is the best I have came upon till now. However, w
https://www.daftarrolet.org/
July 17, 2019 at 12:35 amor information approximately this topic for a while and yours is the best I have came upon ti
Agen Poker V
July 29, 2019 at 3:30 pmyou have a good post and amazing…. please come here and visit http://w88messi.biz/
PREDIKSI BOLA
August 16, 2019 at 5:39 amRajaprediksi303 Adalah Situs Prediksi Yang Sangat jitu Di indonesia Yang Memberikan Prediksi Bola dan togel secara jitu kepada pencinta bola dan togel di indonesia
download idn poker
August 18, 2019 at 11:45 amIf you ever find yourself waiting ages and not getting the best payout speeds, then it might be time to make a move to other online gambling sites.
osg777
August 18, 2019 at 11:46 amThat’s because slow payouts are often an indicator that a company is struggling to make a profit and could possibly be facing financial difficulty.
game duit asli
August 18, 2019 at 11:49 amThe best indicator of how likely you are to win is to look at the total a casino has paid out. If it’s low, chances are you might not be onto a big winner.
idn live
August 18, 2019 at 12:07 pmThe main impact is the banking method you use, as each one will have slightly different processing times.
We’ve listed the methods that offer the fastest processing times so that you can make a more informed decision when it comes to withdrawing your funds.
sbobet
August 18, 2019 at 12:16 pmChoosing an online casino is a serious business and, with the vast volume of payout statistics floating around the web, there’s no excuse for not doing your homework.
permainan jiki
September 26, 2019 at 4:36 amThanks for sharing such a nice Blog.I like it.
permainan jiki
IDN POKER
September 28, 2019 at 7:26 amIf more people that write articles really concerned themselves with writing great content like you. more readers would be interested in their writings. Thank you for caring about your content.idn poker
paristogel
October 11, 2019 at 4:08 pmI’m interested in your site, can I study with you?
Deposit Pakai Pulsa
October 25, 2019 at 6:24 amthis with this light before. This article truly did switch topic goes http://bandarxl.xyz/
Agen Idn Poker
October 25, 2019 at 10:42 amest processing times so that you can make a more informed decision when it comes to with
AGEN BANDAR CEME ONLINE
October 29, 2019 at 12:43 amVery useful post. This is my first time i visit here. I found so many interesting stuff in your blog especially its discussion. Really its great article. Keep it up.
http://www.nagapoker2019.net
November 7, 2019 at 10:41 pmgood…We are an online media game agent producing money that uses real money that we provide specifically for online gambling lovers. With a variety of games in one account, we give priority to the satisfaction of each member during the game. Try it right now and have nothing to lose because the main deposit can be very cheap.
sia clara
November 7, 2019 at 10:43 pmnice i like this post
http://www.lapakpoker303.com
sakura
November 7, 2019 at 10:44 pmKami merupakan agen judi online terpercaya dan terbesar yang di lengkapi dengan sistem enkripsi aman dan langsung dari server utama yang sudah terjamin kecepatan aksesnya sehingga lebih seru untuk bermain game. Dengan deposit Rp 10.000 anda sudah bisa bermain http://www.kartupoker2019.com disini dengan 8 permainan yang ada seperti texas, ceme, ceme keliling, domino, capsa susun, blackjack, omaha dan super10. Situs ini menyediakan turnamen game online yang bisa menambah penghasilan anda dalam bermain, dengan sensasi dan pengalaman menarik dapat membawa pulang keuntungan hadiah ratusan juta rupiah yang siap di transfer ke rekening bank masing-masing. Main dan rasakan keseruan kompetisi terbesar di Asia!.
judi deposit pulsa
November 12, 2019 at 11:39 pmThis blog is so nice to me. I will keep on coming here again and again. Visit my link as well.Judi Deposit Pulsa
sabung ayam s128
November 14, 2019 at 2:15 amThanks for taking the time to discuss that, I feel strongly about this and so really like getting to know more on this kind of field. Do you mind updating your blog post with additional insight? It should be really useful for all of us.sabung ayam s128
daftaribcbetbola
November 23, 2019 at 7:56 amSeluruh bursa taruhan pertandingan dari berbagai turnamen olahraga di seluruh penjuru dunia bisa anda temukan di sbobet88.
register poker
December 5, 2019 at 2:47 pmPermainan poker merupakan permainan yang memang sudah populer, bukan hanya bagi kaum elit yang hobi berkumpul di kasino berlisensi namun juga masyarakat yang sudah mengerti bagaimana mengelola internet.
register poker
daftar remi88
December 5, 2019 at 2:48 pmAplikasi Android telah sudah ada buat anda tidak susah untuk bermain Judi Poker Online
daftar remi88
ayam penyet medan
December 20, 2019 at 4:47 amDari cara masak Ayam penyet hingga sambal ayam penyet dari waroeng buk santy sudah tidak di ragukan lagi enaknya. Resep ayam penyet yang di gunakan dan cara buat sambal ayam penyet sangat pas di lidah. https://ayampenyetgeprekbuksantymedan.blogspot.com/
deviana
December 21, 2019 at 11:15 pmTerjadilah permainan yang paling menegangkan antara kedua pemain yang jago dalam bidang ini.
LinaYang
December 22, 2019 at 12:44 amGame dasyat di tahun ini , sangat menyenangkan untuk berkunjung disini 🙂
angelialie
December 22, 2019 at 1:53 amBersenang-senanglah disini selagi kamu masih bisa bersenang ria.
ameliachen
December 22, 2019 at 3:19 amManfaat membaca buku ameliachen sangat penting. Klik segera dan baca info di dalamnya.
LizJenie
December 22, 2019 at 4:13 amDapatkan berbagai keuntungan jika ikut bergabung dengan kami disni, diklik ya judul diatas 🙂
Tania Chuang
December 22, 2019 at 5:50 amDapatkan berbagai promo menarik jika ikut bergabung dengan kami disni, diklik ya judul upp 🙂
Situs Poker Terpercaya
December 30, 2019 at 1:12 amHello, All Lovers of Online Poker and Ceme Online Here, we want to introduce the best gambling sites in Indonesia that provide huge benefits to everyone who wants to join us in
BOKEP JAV
January 18, 2020 at 2:39 amI was surfing the Internet for information and came across your blog. I am impressed by the information you have on this blog. It shows how well you understand this subject
BERITA NASIONAL
January 22, 2020 at 4:08 amYou have done a great job on this article. It’s very readable and highly intelligent You have even managed to make it understandable and easy to read.You have some real writing talent Thank you.
indobolaku
January 28, 2020 at 6:40 amGood post. It is very helpful for me. I would recommend this to my friends. Appreciate it.indobolaku
jpindotogel
February 6, 2020 at 1:40 amHi there to every , as I am really keen of
reading this blog’s post to be updated regularly.
It includes good data.
Website Designing Company
February 7, 2020 at 1:18 amGreat, thank you so much for sharing this valuable information. For a custom website design in Delhi and SEO agency in Noida visit OGEN Infosystem at affordable price.
agen poker terbaru
February 19, 2020 at 6:11 amArt and paint work is all time my favorite because I’m professional artist and wanted to get something new idea’s from different online site like your. Thank you for share this good idea to draw an amazing art.
David
February 24, 2020 at 1:07 amI’m really happy I’ve discovered this info. Nowadays bloggers publish just about gossip and net materials and this is really irritating. get homework help
rere
February 27, 2020 at 12:42 pmidn live
Shintaayu
March 3, 2020 at 3:44 amSelamat datang di HOKI8BET (situs bola resmi dan terpecaya) dengan permainan (bandar bola online) dan (bola tangkas online terpecaya) di indonesia.
Situs yang mengedepankan kenyamanan untuk setiap member yang tergabung di dalamnya dimana permainan (game bola online) merupakan salah satu game terbaik yang ada di HOKI8BET.
(situs bola resmi dan terpecaya) sebagai permainan yang dapat memberikan banyak keuntungan, di samping itu pelayanan yang di berikan oleh HOKI8BET
merupakan terbaik dengan customer servis profesionan dan online selama 24 jam.
HOKI8BET sangat mampu sebagai wadah mencari keuntungan dalam permainan (game bola online),(poker remi) dan (situs slot online indonesia)
LINK ALTERNATIF : http://www.hoki888bet.com | http://www.putarslot.com | http://www.hoki8bet.net
poker online
March 4, 2020 at 9:35 pmDisini kami akan membagikan salah satu link alternatif terbaik dan terpercaya di Indonesia 2020!
https://www.practicalmachinist.com/vb/redirect-to/?redirect=http://duetqq.club
cara download s128
March 8, 2020 at 5:39 pmhey dude thx 4 sharing good information on this forum Dont Forget Come And See My New Blog
cara download s128
BandarQ Poker Online
March 11, 2020 at 1:35 pmMeraih kemenangan hingga puluhan dan ratusan juta rupiah??
Tentu bisa, Berikut Bandar Judi terpercaya dan aman untuk di mainkan…
DOMINO99
Banyak agen judi online disana yang terpercaya, bettors hanya perlu memilih salah satunya yang dirasa merupakan cocok untuk bettors jadikan tempat bermain…
http://www.eurohockey.com/multimedia/photo/1388-2016-pan-american-tournament.html.html?url_back=http://173.82.245.231
https://community.go365.com/external-link.jspa?url=http://173.82.245.231
Media And Communication Assignment Service
March 20, 2020 at 8:52 amGet Media And Communication Assignment Service by professionals, MakeMyAssignments offers the Instant Assignment Help to UK students for Media topics and subjects at reasonable prices.
idn poker online terbaru
March 22, 2020 at 4:42 pmidn poker online terbaru
jennfris
April 1, 2020 at 9:57 amgame poker online terbaik saat ini dan jackpot terbesar di indonesia DEWA8QQ
blépharoplastie Tunisie
April 20, 2020 at 6:39 amNICE POST
slot88
April 26, 2020 at 9:27 amthis is nice post man
Poker Deposit Pulsa
May 5, 2020 at 8:21 pmhttp://depositcepat.com/ poker deposit pulsa
lexala69
May 6, 2020 at 6:59 amDewa8qq merupakan salah satu Situs Agen PKV GAMES secara online dengan permainan terlengkap yang pernah ada di asia, Situs Bandar Ceme dewa8qq ini menyediakan banyak sekali permainan yang dimainkan hanya dengan menggunakan 1 user id cukup daftar domino qq online. Permainan Poker online yang ditawarkan oleh dewa8qq merupakan kumpulan permainan poker secara online pilihan hanya untuk kalian semua penggemar permainan player vs player. Tidak sembarang permainan ceme online yang diberikan oleh web poker terpecaya, situs dewa8qq menyediakan permainan Poker live chat yang paling banyak diminati oleh para pemain poker main kartu remi seperti permainan dominoqq, aduq, bandarq, capsa susun, sakong, poker ace, bandar poker dan yang terakhir adalah bandar66.
Customized Gifts
May 13, 2020 at 3:08 amThis is a really informative blog. Visit Create N Gift for Customized Gifts and Birthday Gifts for Men at the best quality.
Agen poker idn
June 5, 2020 at 7:51 amMy Friend Recommended This Blog And He Was Totally Right Keep Up The Good Work.
LINK JUDI TERPERCAYA
June 10, 2020 at 1:11 amJANJIQQ menjadi satu satunya situs judi online yang paling fairplay tanpa ada robot maupun admin. Penarikan dana berapaun pasti akan diproseskan!!!
http://185.196.38.45
WLA
June 21, 2020 at 5:12 amnews of the day. Anyway, thank you for this exceptional point and whilst I can not really go along with
this in totality
Vanshika Verma
July 13, 2020 at 3:13 pmReally it is too much interesting for me. Thanks for sharing
Virgin Kraft, Test Liner, MG White, Absorbent Paper Supplier
July 23, 2020 at 5:34 amAwesome blog, keep it up for more updates. RP paper Impex is a leading Virgin Kraft, Test Liner, MG White, Absorbent Paper Supplier, visit our website for more information-
Buy Anti Dandruff Herbal Shampoo Online
September 15, 2020 at 6:30 amAmazing Blog, thanks for sharing this. Visit Veramed for Anti Dandruff Herbal Shampoo and Bliss Body Butter Ayurvedic Body Care Products at affordable price.
Billy Jean
October 4, 2020 at 12:57 pmhttp://www.detik.com
Loves Sharma
November 11, 2020 at 3:17 amGood post
lsdxoxo
November 12, 2020 at 4:45 amBermain game Domino QQ online ialah salah satu game dengan keuntungan terbesar saat ini, dengan Cara Menang Main Judi Domino yang benar anda bisa terus mendapatkan kemenangan, tapi pastikan juga yah, bahwa tempat anda bermain adalah situs Domino QQ online terpercaya saat ini.