Usher's Passing

By: Robert R. McCammon

Narrated by: Scott Aiello

Length: 16 hrs and 54 mins

Publisher's summary

Poe's classic tale lives on in this Gothic novel of ancestral madness in the mountains of modern-day North Carolina, from a New York Times best-selling author.

Ever since Edgar Allan Poe looted a family's ignoble secret history for his classic story "The Fall of the House of Usher", living in the shadow of that sick dynasty has been an inescapable scourge for generations of Usher descendants. But not for horror novelist Rix Usher. Years ago he fled the isolated family estate of Usherland in the menacing North Carolina hills to pursue his writing career. He promised never to return. But his father's impending death has brought Rix back home to assume the role of Usher patriarch - and face his worst fears.

His arrival forces him to confront a devious and impassive family and his vulnerable sister's slow descent into insanity. Stirring memories of the grim folktales born out of the surrounding Briartop Mountains and the terrifying legends of missing children, Rix knows that in the dark, twisted corridors of Usherland, that dreadful something he saw as a young boy is still there. It's waiting for him, as decayed and undying as the Usher heritage and more depraved than anything Poe could have imagined.

This eerie novel by the Bram Stoker Award-winning author of Swan Song and Boy's Life is "a frightening pleasure" and a worthy tribute to the master who inspired it (St. Louis Post-Dispatch).

©1984 Robert R. McCammon (P)2018 Audible, Inc.

Horribly Magnificent

I haven’t read a horror story in decades, but the connection with Poe ‘s story sounded interesting to me. I have read McCammon’s Matthew Corbet series and enjoyed it very much. I wanted to see if I would like any of McCammon’s other books.

Usher’s Passing fleshes out Poe’s original story with details that are as wonderful as they are horrifying. It was so intense that at least twice I put it down and decided I couldn’t take it any more. The last and strongest feeling of intensity came at the end, when the denouement came just in time to get me through to a very satisfying finish. And yes, at the end, of course there was a hint that the evil may not have been completely vanquished. The subject for a sequel perhaps.

Good story

It took a while to get into the story but when I did I did life the book. Give it a try.

Good story, bad reader

I've always loved McCammon and this book is no exception, but their choice of a narrator was a poor one.

Another Great McCammon

Once again McCammon presents the reader with rich, well rounded characters. The story revolves around the Ushers,’ the family introduced to us by Edgar Allen Poe. Their financial success has grown through the sale of armaments. Sadly their family tragedies have grown along with their wealth.

Great Book McCammon Again!

Narrator had so many different voices it was hard to believe Scott Aiello was the only one ! You didn’t want to stop listening !!!!

Reminiscent of other stories

It wasn’t a bad book but I felt like it reminded me of stories from other authors. Still entertaining.

Pretty good

Narrator is awesome. This is not my favorite genre, but this is a really good story. Held my attention well developed characters, places, buildings, etc.

Usher’s Passing: Enjoyable McCammon Novel

I thoroughly enjoy Robert McCammon’s novels, and Usher’s Passing does not disappoint. However, I found the narration to be grating and not very polished. Look past this for another twisting tale from McCammon.

I enjoyed this story

I really enjoy this author. The Swan Song if you haven’t yet. You won’t be sorry.

great story! great narrator!

very engrossing story and atmosphere. narrator did a wonderful job! not so much horror but a good supernatural thriller