The Fall of the House of Usher
Edgar Allen Poe
I’m sure I’ve read some of Poe’s classics in school, but I certainly don’t recall any. That certainly won’t be the case with “The Fall of the House of Usher”. Having recently worked through several H.P. Lovecraft works, I was well prepared for a dose of Poe.
We begin with our poor soul overlooking a dilapidated, ancient family home. He has been summoned to aid his childhood friend, the last remaining son of a cursed lineage. Every detail is explained in dripping, horrific, and panic inducing clarity. While it is a short work, each sentence is filled with a certain palpable dread. The story progresses slowly; yet each passing paragraph heightens the reader’s internal discomfort at the situation.
The novel reaches a crescendo very late, yet it is with a true shock, and tangible horror that the story ends. I was thoroughly pleased with this dark tale. While I generally prefer more laid back and less terrifying works, this served up a great scare that even haunted my dreams. Truly a recommended read, especially considering it’s brief length.
Rating: Excellent
Bottom Line: If you like being scared, this does it for me
