Oj przyjemnie tego Pana McCammona się czytało; bardzo przyjemnie.

And to be honest, I was a bit surprised. Because after a decent - albeit a bit average - "Listener", I wasn't expecting to read either a thrilling or a highly engaging story at all. However, completely unexpectedly, that's exactly what I got.

Here it must be emphasized that apart from other obvious values, McCammon's novel is simply a maximally engaging read that hypnotizes and intrigues from the very first pages. The atmospheric introduction, the wonderfully suggestive atmosphere, the picturesque backdrop, and the promise of an exciting adventure - all these combine to form a literary feast worth every sin! And that's not the end of it.

"The Usher Legacy" beautifully sympathizes with Edgar Allan Poe's novella讲述了一个古老家族的命运，他们生活在与世隔绝的环境中，遭遇了一个奇怪的事件，这个事件迅速地将病人推向了疯狂的怀抱。Poe的作品具有阴森、不安、略带忧郁的特点，为Roberta McCammon创作自己的现代版Usher家族故事提供了一个有前途的借口。事实上，在小说的前几章中，可以毫无疑问地感觉到，McCammon不仅借鉴了类似的主题，而且还直接利用了它们；在虚构事件的画布上，利用虚构的人物，编织了一个关于这些主题的变奏曲。

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In Usherland - on the territory located next to the slope of Mount Briatrop - a series of mysterious disappearances of children has been taking place for decades. The local mountain people whisper about mythical creatures haunting the surrounding forests; the Blazing Bebech in the company of the Pumpkinhead prowl under the cover of night to abduct the careless youth. These strange disappearances cause general unease, but so far no one has proven their paranormal basis. Maybe it's just a coincidence, a combination of circumstances, or simply - a fantastic legend?

When Rix Usher returns to his family's nest, a tangle of random circumstances pushes him towards solving the macabre mystery. Together with Raven Dunstan and the boy endowed with supernatural abilities, they are forced to fight against an ancient evil; an evil that has taken root in the distant past and has a lot in common with the Usher clan.

****

As you can see - the plot of "The Usher Legacy" is presented quite simply. At least in theory. In practice, however, it is not only a complex, but also a successful adaptation of Poe's work. Yes, a very modern one, surely devoid of his poetry and specific dreaminess (hey, Edgar is still inimitable!), but at the same time enriched with completely different aspects. Because I have the impression that the author has finally let loose the reins of his imagination; given free rein to truly wild visions, creating in the process a story that is maximally sinful, on the verge of being immersed in a Gothic mood, filled with the tastiest morsels drawn directly from classic horror.

The action of the novel unfolds slowly, and McCammon - a master of storytelling - weaves something in the shape of a dense and dark fairy tale; a bit realistic, a bit unreal, yet extremely terrifying. The atmosphere, suspense, tension, and mystery play a big role here. The finale, uncompromising and even lurid, may be surprising; not only because of the plot, but also because of the accumulation of unusual - at least for the author - means. It is strong, bloody, sometimes even brutally so. However, the whole thing is excellently defended, because McCammon knows moderation; a lyrical story with elements of horror? Love it or not? "The Usher Legacy" hypnotizes to the limits of possibility!

WOW. This is SOOOO good. I am truly amazed by the complexity and depth of all his novels. The way he layers the stories, characters, and themes is just brilliant. It makes me want to write like this some day. I can only imagine the amount of effort and creativity that goes into creating such masterpieces. Each page is like a new adventure, filled with unexpected twists and turns. I find myself completely immersed in his fictional worlds, unable to put the book down. I hope to one day be able to capture the same level of magic in my own writing. Maybe then, I can also touch the hearts of readers and transport them to different dimensions.

Being that this is the 2nd Robert McCammon book I have read, I can now say with confidence that I am in for a great experience whenever I pick up one of his works. His storytelling is truly lyrical. The words seem to be magically crafted, flowing effortlessly off the pages for me. Usher’s Passing is a drama and horror-filled joyride through one family's generations. The story takes the reader back to the 1800s at the beginning. It starts on a dark, stormy, and rainy night. We are introduced to Roderick Usher, who is seeking someone who has wronged his family name. Roderick is ruthless with his words, threatening to have someone's skin stretched and hung on a tree. This is in the first few pages of the book! I was immediately hooked, thinking, "Oh yes, I'm all in this already!"

This would have been a 5-star read for me if we had learned more about how the Usher family secret came to be. However, since the story did come full circle, I am giving it 4 stars. There was never a dull moment in this book for me. Indeed, McCammon is a literary lion. He is now up there on my scale with Stephen King. I can't wait to devour the rest of his books!

4.75⭐

This was something that blew me away.

From the very beginning, it had my full attention and kept me engaged throughout.

The details were so vivid and the story was told in such a captivating way that I couldn't put it down.

Every moment was filled with excitement and anticipation.

And then, the ending ♥️, it was just perfect.

It tied everything together in the most beautiful and satisfying way.

It left me with a feeling of warmth and contentment.

This is definitely a piece of work that I would highly recommend to anyone.

It's one of those rare gems that you come across and are truly grateful for.

I can't wait to see what else the author has in store for us.

Overall, it was an amazing experience and I'm already looking forward to reading it again.

So all in all, I truly wish I had liked this book more. I have a great fondness for Robert McCammon's other work that I've read, such as "Boy's Life". I had high expectations that this book would be more in line with that, but unfortunately, it was not as engaging as I had hoped. In fact, I ultimately did not feel a connection to any of the characters in this book.

Usher's Passing begins with an Usher confronting Edgar Allen Poe and how that man came perilously close to revealing the secret of the Ushers. I managed to reach the ending, but I'm still completely at a loss as to how Poe was anywhere near the revelation that was presented in this book. Anyway, we then fast forward to the present day, where Rix Usher is visited by his brother Boone, who informs him that their father is on the verge of passing away from Usher's Malady (the disease that inevitably strikes every Usher and ultimately claims their lives), and he needs to return home to North Carolina.

The story seamlessly segues back and forth between Rix and two other characters.

A secondary story focuses on a boy named New, who is one of the mountain people and has lived near Usherland his entire life. After going berry picking with his brother Nathan, New discovers that his brother has disappeared, and he realizes that the so-called Pumpkin Man and his panther Greediguts (a rather strange name, I must say) have stolen him away.

The third story revolves around a woman named Raven (get the reference? Do you see the connection?) Dunstan, who is delving into the disappearances of children near Usherland and also wondering what the Usher family will do when the patriarch, Walen Usher, passes away.

I think if McCammmon had chosen to focus on just one of these three storylines to tell the story, perhaps it would have been more effective. To be honest, I didn't have much liking for the character of Rix. I found him to be weak and overly judgmental of everyone around him. He is so determined not to be anything like his brother Boone or his sister Kattrina that he fails to realize that he is, in fact, quite similar to them in many ways. Rix is an aspiring horror author who dreams of writing a story about his family in order to finally make a name for himself. Going home and seeing his family and the beloved family servants has him constantly pondering whether being in charge of the Usher billions would really be such a bad thing.

Some of the secondary characters, such as Edwin, seemed a little more developed and fared better in this book. However, others, such as Mrs. Usher, Mr. Dunstan, and New's mother, were not utilized to their full potential.

Strangely enough, I think the diary entries told from Walen Usher's mother's point of view and also Cynthia Usher (Rix's great great grandmother) were better executed. Sadly, the book didn't spend enough time exploring these aspects.

I do have a penchant for magical realism in books, but everything surrounding the mystery of New and his family and the other families that lived on the mountain didn't quite make sense to me. I think I would have preferred it if McCammon had not attempted to overexplain everything. Sometimes, it's better to let a thing be because of something unknown. I believe this is why I was ultimately so disappointed by this book when I reached the end. When the truth behind all the events was revealed, I was left thinking, really? Okay.

Raven never felt like a fully realized character to me. There doesn't seem to be any logical reason why she is trying to investigate the children's disappearances. Her sudden about-face towards Rix at the end made no sense to me whatsoever.

The writing, at times, was quite gruesome. At one point, I felt as if I could almost smell the decay of Walen Usher's body based on the vivid descriptions. I just wish the various elements had come together more cohesively. This was a long book, and it felt like nothing really got going until I reached the 85 percent mark.

The setting of the house of Usher and the so-called Lodge was done extremely well. I could envision both of them clearly in my mind, and everything took on a dark and shadowy tone due to the fact that most of the story took place during autumn.

I did feel let down by the ending, though. I think this was McCammon's attempt at a happily ever after, but I don't think the reveals were particularly great, except for the explanation behind the Pumpkin Man.

I have made a firm decision to modify my rating and review of this book. The reason being that, thus far, it stands as the sole McCammon book that has adhered to my mind tenaciously, just like white on rice, out of all the books of his that I have perused. Every single time I watch something gothic, my thoughts inevitably drift back to this very book. Now that it has had ample time to marinate within my brain, I vividly recall just how much I have adored this book.

At the outset, I was not a proponent of the entire conclusion where the villain divulges his entire devious scheme and then meets a swift demise shortly thereafter. However, after indulging in an 80s movie binge, I came to realize that almost every 80s movie villain has revealed his plan to the main protagonist in a manner similar to that of a James Bond villain. Moreover, a significant number of my most cherished movies hail from the 80s. And, as fate would have it, this book was written precisely in the 80s. Consequently, I no longer harbor the same level of dislike for the ending as I once did. Would I alter it? The answer is yes. But unfortunately, I am powerless to do so.

This book is certain to receive another thorough reread from me. It is atmospheric, suspenseful, emotional, peculiar, and mysterious - all the elements that I seek in a horror book. This is truly the quintessential book for Halloween.

Yes, it does possess its flaws. However, if a book manages to stay with you for an extended period and evokes memories of joy and amusement while you were reading it, then it unquestionably merits a more favorable rating and review.

Nevertheless, I still find the scene where the Mountain King engages in an inappropriate relationship with his sister to be rather off-putting.

This was my second encounter with McCammon's work, and I have to say that I absolutely adored it.

It was truly a remarkable piece that had me hooked from the very beginning.

The story was filled with such vivid details and engaging characters that it felt as if I was a part of the narrative.

McCammon's writing style is so captivating that I found myself completely immersed in the world he had created.

If I had the option, I would毫不犹豫地 give this book six stars.

It was that good.

I can't wait to explore more of his works and see what other amazing stories he has in store for us.

Overall, this was an outstanding read that I would highly recommend to anyone looking for a great book.

Stephen King is a highly regarded and influential figure in the world of literature. He has a vast knowledge and appreciation for the works of many authors. One author that Stephen King has recommended is [Author's Name].

[Author's Name] has managed to capture the attention and admiration of King with their unique writing style and engaging stories. Their works often explore deep themes and emotions, drawing readers in and keeping them on the edge of their seats.

Their ability to create vivid and believable characters is another aspect that King has praised. The characters in [Author's Name]'s books feel real and relatable, making it easy for readers to become invested in their lives and fates.

Overall, being recommended by Stephen King is no small feat, and it serves as a testament to the talent and quality of [Author's Name]'s writing. For fans of King and lovers of great literature alike, exploring the works of this recommended author is sure to be a rewarding experience.

I couldn't have selected a more suitable book to read during Halloween. This particular one has that ideal combination of a creepy old mansion. There's a connection to a Poe novel, a villain known as the Pumpkin Man, a man-eating beast that prowls the forest encircling our eerie mansion, witches, warlocks - you name it, it's all there. And it's all set in a beautifully described Gothic setting that only McCammon can manage to pull off. I really enjoyed this one to a great extent.

My only gripe is that it does slow down a bit in the middle, and I found myself beginning to lose interest in some of the characters at that juncture. Fortunately, the book regains its pace again near the end, and McCammon concludes it neatly.

This wouldn't be my first suggestion for a new McCammon reader, but it's a worthy addition to the enormous stack of excellent novels that this author has written.

In conclusion, McCammon is one of my all-time favorite authors. The man has the ability to write captivating stories. And if you're seeking a good read during the Fall season, well, this could potentially be the book for you.

McCammon does it again…

Here we have a great piece of horror where the tension keeps rising continuously. We are not certain about the solution, and the ending, on one hand, very smoothly combines the major storylines, and on the other hand, gives satisfying answers.

The author's writing style fits this type of novel like a glove. Observing which of the many sown seeds will sprout in the end is exciting, and the atmosphere is as thick as the cigar smoke in Boone's Usher's poker club.

What was most interesting for me was uncovering, simultaneously with Rixem Usher, the mysterious events of the decadent family that form a really interesting history, as well as the struggle for succession that is in the background of every, even innocent, dialogue on the territory of the watchtower.

It's a great homage to the classic of horror with its own identity.

McCammon is indeed one of my all-time favourite authors. Naturally, when I picked up this particular book, I had high expectations, assuming I would love it just like all the others. However, to my great disappointment, this one simply wasn't my cup of tea.

The plot line of this book is rather weird and disjointed. It jumps around in a way that makes it difficult for the reader to follow and connect the dots. Moreover, none of the characters are likeable. They lack depth and personality, making it hard for me to form any sort of emotional attachment to them.

I found myself not caring for any aspect of the story. I have always loved every single book I've read by this author, so it came as a complete surprise that I didn't enjoy this one. In fact, it felt like it dragged on forever, making it a real struggle to get through.

In my honest opinion, this book simply isn't up to the standard of his other works. It lacks the engaging plot, well-developed characters, and masterful writing that I have come to expect from McCammon. I hope his future works will return to the high level of quality that I know he is capable of.

In travelling this way over the years, though infrequently, Rix had never failed to catch the sense of brutality in the land.

It was a kind of soulless crushing power that made him feel weak and small.

He thought it was little wonder that people of Foxton considered Usherland a place best avoided and had created folktales to emphasize their fear of the dark, foreboding mountains.

I found out about this book by word of mouth from several book reviews online.

Since Poe’s The Fall of the House of Usher is one of my favorite stories, I knew I just had to purchase it.

Being it was near Halloween season, I felt like this would be the perfect read for this time of the year.

The novel basically takes elements of Poe’s story and fuses them into the plot, but moves it to a more modern setting and adds various members of the Usher family as key characters.

The theme of the Usher family curse is a prominent factor just like in Poe’s story.

Rix Usher comes back to Usherland reluctantly when he hears that his father is on his death bed.

I liked some elements of the book, but at the end of the day, it was mostly a mediocre read on several levels with quite a few problems in my opinion that soured a lot of the reading experience.

I think one of the key issues in Usher’s Passing is that the novel just didn’t have a solid focus.

It has so many revolving subplots/threads that materialize (The Pumpkin Man, New’s power, Usher’s malady, the family curse, Raven, etc.), but some of them just were not that interesting or engaging in the long haul.

One of these revolving subplots I found rather tiresome was the Usher family dysfunction/dynamics (nothing worse than having to read page after page with the Usher family members constantly at each other’s throats…too much drama).

Secondly, the writing is rather ridiculously graphic, gruesome, and grisly in an over-the-top way.

Some of these depictions involve animals and some of these moments happen as the bodies start to fall in the second half.

A little too much there.

In this way, I felt like this book wasted potential in being a truly atmospheric horror with unnerving elements.

There are some moments here and there, especially with the presence of the Lodge at Usherland and Rix digging into his family’s problematic past, which I felt was probably the best part of the novel.

But it is never very sustainable.

There is just a lack of subtlety with characters and events and focus and everything in this novel.

This was my first read from this author.

It seems that McCammon has quite a fan base and seeing other critical reviewers say this is not his best work encourages me to try another one of his books in the future.