In this tip of the cap tale towards Poe, we follow our main character, Rix Usher. He is a man who was born into an elite family yet endeavors to pursue his own career as a horror writer. Along the way, Rix pays a visit to his dying father, Waylen Usher, a rather nasty individual among other equally unpleasant family members of Rix.

We then take a leisurely stroll through the history of the Usher family, delving into the darkness that has trailed the Ushers and the shadowy history that encircles their business.

With Easter eggs referencing Poe's work, this book is truly exceptional in terms of the subject matter being addressed.

Now, if you're seeking an entertaining quick read that is brimming with horror, I would suggest you look elsewhere. This book, in my opinion, is more suited for McCammon fans, as well as Poe enthusiasts. It is rich with family history and features elements of dark fantasy interspersed with dashes of horror.

If you desire a southern gothic book in the typical McCammon style, then this is the one for you.

I must admit that I did encounter sections of the book that were somewhat dry and left me longing for more. However, as a whole, this book presents a tale that can be enjoyable for most.

I cannot emphasize this enough: do not approach this expecting a non-stop thrill ride by any means. Instead, anticipate a book filled with family drama that spills over into the strange and macabre.

It is with an overwhelming sense of sadness that I completed this book today.

I had the option to breeze through it in just a few days, but I chose to cherish and savor every single page.

Just like a top-notch bourbon, I desired to drink it slowly, inhaling all the magnificent aromas.

This book is truly a masterpiece of storytelling.

From the very first pages, it held me completely riveted, and it never once lost its grip or faltered.

It was thrilling, spine-chilling, and outrageously entertaining.

The final pages were where all the secrets were unveiled, and oh my, what a revelation it was!

It was an absolute blast from beginning to end.

With this book, McCammon has firmly established himself as one of my all-time favorite authors.

Truly brilliant!

Oh, I loved it!

I loved it more than I should have! It's unarguably an instant favourite!!

Surreal and vivid, it creates a world that seems to exist beyond the boundaries of our imagination. The details are so rich and vibrant that they almost jump out at you.

Hair raising and severely twisted, the plot takes unexpected turns that keep you on the edge of your seat. You never know what's going to happen next, and that's part of its allure.

Passionate and unexpected, the emotions it evokes are intense and powerful. It makes you feel things you never thought possible.

It's a freaking masterpiece of all sorts. It combines elements of different genres to create something truly unique and unforgettable. It's a work of art that will stay with you long after you've finished experiencing it.

The novel from 1984 holds significant meaning. I think, and I'm even certain, that the 80s were the golden age of literary horror. Mainly due to the creativity of Stephen King.

When reading this novel, I caught myself having nostalgic thoughts like "it was better back then". :) Horror was horror, it was terrifying. Of course, this type of thinking is a kind of cognitive error.

The fact is that Robert McCammon created a work that was deeply genre-specific at that time. Today, it had no chance of scaring me. However, if I had read this novel in the 90s, when horror had an impact on me (Stephen King), who knows.

Today, however, I appreciate the execution - the author tells the story perfectly. In addition, the plot is rich, interesting, and full of mysteries to be unraveled. A great read for the increasingly shorter days.

There is also the obvious fact, which is Poe. The author uses him instrumentally and even made him one of the heroes of the prologue. Just like the work that became the direct inspiration for the novel. But this is not a criticism at all.

When I first embarked on reading this book, I had firmly believed it would be a historical fiction novel revolving around Edgar Allen Poe and the Usher family that he penned about over a century ago. However, to my surprise, it was set in the modern day. Given that McCammon is an outstanding author in the historical fiction genre, I had high hopes for that kind of narrative. Nevertheless, Usher’s Passing did not let me down.

It was an enthralling and imaginative tale. In this fictional world, the Usher family stands as one of the wealthiest in the world, with their vast fortune intricately linked to the sale of arms. Rix Usher, the black sheep of the family, is a horror writer. One can't help but imagine that Robert McCammon might have infused some aspects of himself into this character. Vehemently opposed to the family business, he returns to their compound in North Carolina upon learning of his father's terminal illness. Although Rix desires nothing to do with the family's arms trade, he is determined to write an exposé/history of the family, delving into sordid details. But lurking beneath the surface is the supernatural, and the mystery of how the family has amassed their fortune through ties with otherworldly forces.

This novel is filled with some excellent twists and turns. The main antagonist here is the Pumpkin Man, a supernatural character who has been abducting children for decades. When the true identity of the Pumpkin Man was finally revealed, I was truly shocked. It was a well-crafted setup that, in hindsight, made perfect sense yet caught me completely off guard. I felt that there was great character development in this novel, with a plethora of memorable characters. The writing was robust and purposeful, seamlessly blending the supernatural elements with the parts firmly grounded in reality. My only criticism was that I felt it dragged in certain sections and could have benefited from some pruning to make the story more concise and tightly woven.

Carl Alves - author of The Invocation

This is a good spooky read,

yet it is not among my top favorites of McCammon's works.

It presents an eerie and atmospheric Gothic-flavored tale,

however, I felt that it was too slowly paced in certain areas.

The characters are convincing,

but they are not particularly sympathetic.

I suspect that most of my favorite aspects of this story stem from its connections to Poe.

It is a good choice for fans of thoughtful horror,

yet I would not recommend it as a starting point for those new to McCammon's works.

Perhaps with a different pacing or more relatable characters,

it could have ranked higher among my personal preferences.

Nonetheless, it still has its merits and can provide an enjoyable reading experience for those who appreciate the Gothic horror genre and its ties to Poe's influence.

Unofficial sequel or homage to Poe's "The Fall of the House of Usher."

In McCammon's version, the Usher family has managed to survive into the 20th century. They have amassed great wealth by manufacturing weapons. However, the family line is constantly plagued by misfortune and illness. The story centers around Rix, the second oldest son of the current (1984) Usher patriarch. He has chosen to leave the family business and pursue a career as a horror author.

Rix's father is succumbing to a rare disease that seems to affect only their family. The symptoms are similar to those that Roderick suffered in the original story, including overstimulated senses and a wasting away of the body.

McCammon's writing is never dull, and this story is both fun and scary. It is filled with drama, action, thrills, and excitement. However, there is a bit of a commentary or critique here. The rich are portrayed as corrupt, stealing even more from the poor, and the evils of profiting from war, violence, and weaponry are explored.

My one complaint is that there are simply too many storylines. While they do ultimately relate, with the Usher family history, drama, strange genetics, various tragedies, mythic monsters, a kid with supernatural abilities, and rampant insanity among multiple characters, it can be difficult to maintain a strong focus.

Though it is clearly inspired by Poe, at times I felt as if I was reading a mashup of V.C. Andrews and Stephen King. This isn't necessarily a bad thing. After all, they were/are two of the most entertaining writers, especially during that 1980s era.

I STILL HAVE SO MANY QUESTIONS!

Great read, though. Unsurprisingly, this book draws its influence from Poe's The Fall of the House of Usher. A while back, a friend introduced me to Bradbury's Usher II and I fell down the Usher/Poe rabbit hole and ended up here. So I was very much looking forward to this one.

This novel creates an entire history for the Usher clan. It fills it with mystery and intrigue, along with a decent dose of horror to wash it all down. I was captured from the beginning, particularly with the way it threw out so many questions that needed to be answered.

We begin the tale with Rix Usher returning to Usherland upon hearing the news that his father is dying. Naturally, the place is super spooky, surrounded by secrets and superstition. Walen Usher's imminent death means everything must be passed on to one of his three children - Boone, Katt, or Rix. But strange things are happening around Usherland: children going missing, a murderous panther is rumoured to lurk, and then there's the mysterious Pumpkin Man. But how does it all tie in to the Usher family?

Honestly, there is so much to unravel. I loved how there were so many different elements to the story. I kept wondering how everything was going to come together. There are little tidbits about the previous generations of Ushers, too, so it's interesting trying to puzzle out the secret history of the family. I really could have used a family tree, though.

I was quite interested in the history and really wanted more of it. Erik Usher was a fascinating character and I wanted to know everything about him, Nora, and the rest of their generation.

The pace was quite enjoyable. It set things up really well to begin with and then slowly kept upping the stakes and increasing the tension. You get to know the characters a little at a time and, well, they're all kind of despicable. I think New was the only one I actually halfway liked.

I do feel like I missed a few things, which meant by the time I finished it I really was still left with things I wanted to know more about. I felt like some things still weren't explained properly, and other things were neglected. This may have also been because I was switching between reading and audio, though.

On that note, the audio is pretty terrible. I liked that it meant I was more likely to pick it up (I'm notoriously slow with e-books), but it also meant I missed things when I got distracted. Also, the voices get so ridiculous that it saps most of the terror from the story. Plus, the narrator just seemed to read the story differently to me. I would describe the narration as the film version of Dumbledore asking Harry if he put his name in the Goblet of Fire. Just a totally different vibe to what the words on the page give.

Overall, I really enjoyed the story and how tangled it all was, but I really wanted to know more. I'd be tempted to read it again just to see if I pick up any extra info. I also would have enjoyed more reference to Roderick, Madeline, and the events of Poe's tale. That really would have tied it all together nicely for me.

Thanks to my friends over at HA for the Buddy Read :)

I was really in a dilemma when it came to deciding whether I wanted to give this book 4 or 5 stars. After much thought, I ultimately settled on 4 stars. However, it could very well have been 4.5 stars.

This was truly a remarkable book. McCammon's talent for character development is simply unrivaled. The way he brings the characters to life and makes them so believable is truly a feat.

The story itself was engaging and the prose was of a very high quality. It had a certain charm that kept me hooked from start to finish. The setting of the book was also a standout feature. It was mysterious and ominous, adding an extra layer of intrigue to the story.

Robert McCammon is without a doubt one of my all-time favorite authors. His works have always managed to captivate me and this one was no exception. It didn't disappoint in the slightest. Now, it's time for me to move on to the next book in his collection and see what other wonderful stories he has in store.

A very odd book indeed.

There are so many different people, each with their own unique characteristics and actions. And there are also all these strange things happening, one after another, making the story seem rather chaotic at times.

However, as the story progresses, it gradually becomes clear that there is a hidden thread connecting everything.

Finally, at the end of the book, all the loose ends are neatly tied up and everything is beautifully explained.

It's truly remarkable how the author managed to bring all these diverse elements together and create such a cohesive and satisfying narrative.

This book is definitely one that will keep you on the edge of your seat until the very last page.

Robert R. McCammon is truly one of the greatest storytellers I have ever had the honor of being acquainted with.

The caliber of his work is simply astonishing. The way he can effortlessly draw you in and craft such lifelike characters and grand dramas is truly remarkable. It's as if time just flies by when you're immersed in his stories, especially when listening to the audiobook version.

As a writer myself, I am filled with humility, awe, and a touch of intimidation when faced with his talent.

"Usher's Passing" takes the renowned Usher family from Edgar Allen Poe's work and elevates it to new heights. The story is set in the mountains of North Carolina in a "modern" era (even though the book was published in the 80s, it doesn't seem overly dated). It follows several characters, with a primary focus on one of the Usher children as an adult, a newspaper reporter, and a young mountain boy. Their paths intertwine as the eerie plot unfolds.

McCammon weaves everything together so skillfully, and his various "reveals" at the end completely took me by surprise. I was truly sorry when the book finally came to an end.

Highly recommended.

Usher's Passing is my very first encounter with McCammon's literary world, and he has already firmly established himself as one of my all-time favorite authors. It's October, that spooky time of the year when I was truly on the hunt for an atmospheric story to immerse myself in the Halloween spirit. And boy, did this book deliver! McCammon's vivid and descriptive writing paints a creepy, crisp, and autumnal picture that immediately grabs your attention.

The book is based on, or rather, it is a continuation of a Poe story called The Fall of the House of Usher. The Usher family is a mysterious clan that has resided in Usherland, located in the southern mountains of America, on their sprawling estate for hundreds of years. The story centers around Rix Usher, his brother Boone, a mountain boy named Newlan, and a newspaper reporter named Raven. Each character's tale is intricately interwoven throughout the narrative, and McCammon does an outstanding job of seamlessly bringing these stories together.

Rix, the only member of his family to have completely struck out on his own and left the estate, receives word that his father is ill and is implored to return home. Rix is reluctant to go, as he despises his father and wants no part in the inheritance of Usherland. However, he ultimately feels obligated due to his mother's pleading. Upon his arrival, he discovers that all is not as it seems. His father's illness is mysteriously prolonging his life, his two siblings Boone and Cass have been vying for the inheritance of Usherland, a childhood legend known as The Pumpkin Man has reportedly been on the loose stealing children, and a newspaper has been secretly delving into the family history a little too closely.

Rix finds himself caught in the middle of the family feud and realizes that leaving Usherland is no longer an option. He is drawn to an island in the middle of a lake where The Lodge stands, an uninhabited Usher mansion that mysteriously calls him to explore its halls. The Lodge becomes Rix's obsession. As a child, Rix feared the Lodge because it has a way of changing, trapping those within forever. The tales of The Pumpkin Man are starting to seem all too real as reports of disappearing children surface with Rix's homecoming.

For those who have read Poe's novella, the events in this story will make more sense, and the Usher's secretive nature and bizarre behavior will seem more plausible. However, it is not a prerequisite for enjoying this book. McCammon does an excellent job of creating his own standalone tale that merely hints at Poe's work with a wink and a nod. It's a captivating and thrilling read that will keep you on the edge of your seat from beginning to end.