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The Fall of the House of Usher  By  cover art

The Fall of the House of Usher

By: Edgar Allan Poe
Narrated by: William Roberts
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Editorial reviews

Edgar Allen Poe’s masterpiece of gothic terror featuring paranoia, uncommon disease, madness, a crumbling, gloomy mansion, and a family unfortunate for generations receives a spirited production in this selection from the Fall of the House of Usher and Other Tales of Mystery and Imagination collection of Poe’s short works. AudioFile Earphones Award-winning narrator William Roberts ranges widely in tone, from somber to excited to terrified, with his performance of this nightmarish tale describing the psychologically searing demise of the final two members of an ancient family.

Publisher's summary

This is a story from the Fall of the House of Usher collection.

The horrors of the Spanish Inquisition, with its dungeon of death, and the overhanging gloom on the House of Usher demonstrate unforgettably the unique imagination of Edgar Allan Poe. Unerringly, he touches upon some of our greatest nightmares: Premature burial, ghostly transformation, words from beyond the grave. Written in the 1840s, they have retained their power to shock and frighten even now.

Also in this collection of Poe's tales of mystery and imagination: "The Black Cat", "The Facts in the Case of M Valdemar", "The Cask of Amontillado", "Ligeia", "The Tell-Tale Heart", "The Masque of the Red Death", "The Premature Burial", and "The Raven".

Public Domain (P)2003 NAXOS AudioBooks Ltd.

Critic reviews

"Those who thought only Basil Rathbone could narrate Poe are in for a surprise and a treat. The no-nonsense William Roberts narrates a production mercifully free of frills. No unnecessary music or sound effects interfere with the brilliance of the writing or the purity of the performance." ( AudioFile)

What listeners say about The Fall of the House of Usher

Average customer ratings
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  • Overall
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Pleasantly atmospheric

The few random musical interludes took me out of the story, but I enjoyed this audiobook version!

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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Great Gothic Read

I love Poe. He writes in very rich language that paints a vivid picture. The story is short but engrossing and the characters grab you in their descent to madness.

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  • Overall
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Excellent

Moving and captivating! Painted a vivid picture in my lackluster imagination! Thank you very much!

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  • 01-14-18

great

I love it...Edgar Allan Poe is one of my favorites..I will be getting more soon

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2 people found this helpful

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    5 out of 5 stars
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I love the infamous Allen-Poe

He is an amazing author who engulfs your full attention within his stories. The audio book was wonderful, I don't think I would have gotten through that myself.

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Excellent visuals

If you like lovecraftian stories of dread and sorrow, please read this. It’s horrific and saddening.

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  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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Poe done well

Would you consider the audio edition of The Fall of the House of Usher to be better than the print version?

I have never read the print version.

What did you like best about this story?

Considering the script, the reading was very good

What about William Roberts’s performance did you like?

Good reading, perfect emotion, not flat, not overdone.

If you were to make a film of this book, what would the tag line be?

I think it's been done.

Any additional comments?

It's hard to make Poe enjoyable, but this was a good job.

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Great Gothic Tale

First off, if you don’t enjoy wordy stories, then I don’t recommend this, but if you do, this is a fun and eloquent listen. This story is short, but it leaves a lasting gothic image in your mind. If you are a fan of Poe, this is another great story, and the narrator does a great job with pacing and interpretation.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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Excellent short story

The story is very wordy, typical of E.A.P., but I enjoyed listening to it more than reading it for myself. It helps that the narrator uses dramatic emphasis when needed. I am so glad this was on audible.

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2 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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Classic Poe

One of Poe’s best. A combination ghost story and Epic terror. Add a person being buried alive, all these elements make a great gothic horror story.

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