The Fall

October 1, 2014

Gr 8 Up-Griffin offers an alternative take on Edgar Allan Poe's "The Fall of the House of Usher." Instead of assuming the viewpoint of an outsider, as in the source material, readers get into the mind of Madeline Usher-the girl buried alive in the original tale. The author uses flashbacks to flesh out the missing details and provide backstory. This is an engrossing, creepy tale of a haunted house and its inhabitants. For those who aren't familiar with Poe's short story, this title will inspire them to run to the shelves to find it and see what happens or what is different. Those who are already familiar with it will enjoy this different point of view and ending. Altogether, the narrative's even pacing and thorough character development will keep teens engaged. The updated, supernatural spin will have savvy and reluctant readers hooked. An interesting addition to the "twisted tales" genre, for librarians looking for back doors to lead teens into the classics. Fans of the author's Masque of the Red Death (HarperCollins, 2012) will especially appreciate this title.-Saleena L. Davidson, South Brunswick Public Library, Monmouth Junction, NJ

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