October 2016 Group Read #2 Usher's Passing by Robert McCammon

[Chris]

One of the things I like about Usher's Passing is the way McCammon captures the Halloween atmosphere. My favorite passage is "The thick forests and black lakes of Usherland were dappled with deep shadow and orange light, like an intricate quilt woven with Halloween colors." Puts me right in the Halloween mood! Perfect for October.

[Latasha]

Yeassss!!

[Melissa ♥ Dog/Wolf Lover ♥]

I can't believe he went to the Biltmore House, I always wanted to go there but never did and now I can't

Anyway, I started the book last night. I haven't gotten into it yet but I'm only a few little pages in :-)

[Holly]

I attended an equestrian competition on the grounds of the Biltmore, absolutely spectacular.

When George Vanderbilt built this estate his brothers thought he was a fool to want to live on a farm so far from New York. They felt that their huge 5th Avenue mansions would be a lasting memorial to the family greatness. Those houses are long gone, but the Biltmore is still a Vanderbilt owned property.

[Katy]

Kimberly wrote: "Charlene wrote: "Morgannah wrote: "Laughs, that is a horrible cover! I have already mentioned I got lucky and found a first edition hard cover. It has the pumpkin with an open mouth with Usher Lodg..."

My library copy has the pumpkin cover as well. Read the book on a weekend trip to San Diego.

[Katy]

Katy wrote: "Kimberly wrote: "Charlene wrote: "Morgannah wrote: "Laughs, that is a horrible cover! I have already mentioned I got lucky and found a first edition hard cover. It has the pumpkin with an open mout..."

I think he pulls in several Poe short stories. (view spoiler)[ Fall of the House of Usher, but also Pit and Pendulum. Is Black Cat (Greediguts?) too much of a stretch?

Having trouble with Spoiler Alerts. They show on the screen when I edit, but not when I post. Can someone give me a hand? I've used them in the past... (hide spoiler)]

[Katy]

John wrote: "Katy wrote: "Katy wrote: "Kimberly wrote: "Charlene wrote: "Morgannah wrote: "Laughs, that is a horrible cover! I have already mentioned I got lucky and found a first edition hard cover. It has the..."

Thanks! It worked.

[Hunter]

Do not read this before finishing the book, but once you do finish it, you might all enjoy this essay:

The Call of the House of Usher: The Poe Element in Robert McCammon's Usher's Passing

Hunter

[Katy]

Hunter wrote: "Do not read this before finishing the book, but once you do finish it, you might all enjoy this essay:

The Call of the House of Usher: The Poe Element in Robert McCammon's Usher's Passing

Hunter"

Loved it. The article provides lots more references to Poe's work that can be found in the novel. Thanks for providing the link.

[Char]

Hunter wrote: "Do not read this before finishing the book, but once you do finish it, you might all enjoy this essay:

The Call of the House of Usher: The Poe Element in Robert McCammon's Usher's Passing

Hunter"

That was an awesome, informative link Hunter! Thank you!

[Crowinator]

Argh! I need to read faster you guys!

[Casey]

finally received my copy. so off to the races.

[Kimberly]

John wrote: "I'm up to about 70%. [spoilers removed]"

Loved that part!!

[Rachel]

I finally started it today. Read my whole train ride to work and wished I didn't have to get off the train so I could keep reading. I'm at about page 53 and I'm really liking it. I loved the beginning when (view spoiler)[we meet Poe. (hide spoiler)].

His family are kind of a-holes, huh? lol. I hate them.

I thought it was neat that he went to De Peyser Hotel. I just finished reading Peter Straub's Ghost Story recently so the name De Peyser was in my head. Also I work around the corner from where the de peyser hotel supposedly is so that made me happy (although it's apparently not a real place, boo).

[Latasha]

Rachel wrote: "I finally started it today. Read my whole train ride to work and wished I didn't have to get off the train so I could keep reading. I'm at about page 53 and I'm really liking it. I loved the beginn..."

that is so awesome! is there a hotel in that spot?

[Latasha]

I'm at 43%. a lot has happened but I have no idea where to begin. (view spoiler)[ we find out that papa & New have some kind of magical powers. I have no idea how they are tied to the Ushers. we have met the old man- I mean the Mountain King. is has yet to be revealed if there really is a crack in lodge but Nora said there was. what is so special about that cane?! (hide spoiler)] I'm suppose to be reading cold moon over Babylon right now too but it's hard to put this one down.

[Latasha]

John wrote: "Latasha wrote: "I'm at 43%. a lot has happened but I have no idea where to begin. [spoilers removed] I'm suppose to be reading cold moon over Babylon right now too but it's hard to put this one dow..."

I'm sure it will but don't tell me! I want to be surprised and maybe even shocked :D

[Kelly B]

Picked up my copy at the library tonight:-). I need to finish my current read, then it's on to this one.

The house is based on Biltmore? I think I'll love it:-). I visited Biltmore several years ago, and hope to return again someday. I'd like to do one of their behind-the-scene tours.

[Joel]

McCammon is always fun, but I read this one not all that long ago, so won't re-read again so soon. Instead I will just add my two cents to this discussion by lazily posting my original review of it:

As one famous review of Sense and Sensibility once read: "This novel is goth as fuck." I might be misremembering that, but THIS novel, by the always reliable Robert McCammon, is indeed gothic as fuck. Inspired by a famous Poe story: check. Huge old mansion in a deep rural area: check. Which sits next to a huge, scary, lodge filled with secret passages, hidden rooms, and dead ends, and more...? Which sits next to a burned out zoo AND a graveyard on the mountainside? Which sit below a comet-blasted, possibly haunted ghost town on the mountaintop?? Wandering beasties? A PUMPKIN MAN? Family secrets and curses and strange maladies? People with manners? People without manners? Goopy illnesses and sloppy deaths? Check check check check check. This novel was pure October joy, and Mr. McCammon is rapidly rising in the ranks of my go-to authors for a fun read. If you need a modern Poe story, or a werewolf fighting Nazis, or an alien scorpion bounty hunter terrorizing Texans, or a post-apocalyptic good vs. evil bloodbath morality tale - he is your man. If you need anything more than that, well, God help you.

[Kimberly]

Joel wrote: "McCammon is always fun, but I read this one not all that long ago, so won't re-read again so soon. Instead I will just add my two cents to this discussion by lazily posting my original review of it..."

McCammon is so prolific in all of these sub-genres! I love re-reading (especially his earlier books). He really gets that atmosphere down, and helps you to "feel" the characters' plights!

[Char]

Joel wrote: "McCammon is always fun, but I read this one not all that long ago, so won't re-read again so soon. Instead I will just add my two cents to this discussion by lazily posting my original review of it..."

That was a fun review, Joel! I was worried at first that there would be spoilers, but you did well. :)

[Rachel]

Ohh i'm not as far ahead as John so I won't click his spoiler but i'm so curious what he wrote lol. I got to page 109 (hardcover version) which is right after we meet Logan for the first time. I'm so grossed out and horrified that he (view spoiler)[killed the dog!! WTF!!!so now i don't trust him at all and am worried about him going to the house! (hide spoiler)]

[Erin *Proud Book Hoarder*]

Will join in on this one too, although I may be a little slow. Have so many books going on right now 0_0

[Char]

Erin ☕ *Proud Book Hoarder* wrote: "Will join in on this one too, although I may be a little slow. Have so many books going on right now 0_0"

Welcome, Erin!

[Char]

John wrote: "I finished! This was the best book I've read in a while! I'll be watching for sales on McCammon kindle and audio books. ;)"

Glad you enjoyed it, John!

[Latasha]

WHAT?!? John! What the heck kinda tease is that?!?! I can't click it yet. I swear between that & Charlene posting the cold moon over Babylon movie trailer, I just don't know which to read. I was going to pause this one and pick up cold moon cause I've got til the 27th to finish it but aghhh!!

[Kasia]

I'm almost done with the other pick of the month, The Mist by marvelous Mr. King and will have to buy this next, these comments ignited my curiosity :)

[Latasha]

lol I'm not. I want to be surprised.

[Latasha]

It's really good so far Kasia.

[Kasia]

Oh so jealous :D the paperback is almost 20 bucks on Amazon and other sellers take days :( .. pondering if I should just get the ebook although I love the covers this comes with and it would be nice to have a physical copy.

[Joel]

Charlene wrote: "Joel wrote: "McCammon is always fun, but I read this one not all that long ago, so won't re-read again so soon. Instead I will just add my two cents to this discussion by lazily posting my original..."

Thanks! I tried to keep it vague. It's more of a teaser.

[Joel]

Kimberly wrote: "Joel wrote: "McCammon is always fun, but I read this one not all that long ago, so won't re-read again so soon. Instead I will just add my two cents to this discussion by lazily posting my original..."

I too like his versatility. I am glad that he's back to writing genre fiction again after so many years.

[Latasha]

I bought a used copy last month. You still have plenty of time.

[Casey]

I don't actually care at all if I crack the binding. It shows that's it's been read. I can look at my shelf and see the books I have triumphed over.

[Rachel]

Kasia wrote: "Oh so jealous :D the paperback is almost 20 bucks on Amazon and other sellers take days :( .. pondering if I should just get the ebook although I love the covers this comes with and it would be nic..."

did you see if thrift books has any copies left? that's where i got my copy. it was like 4 bucks, a really nice hardcover version.

[Kasia]

Yes I have 3 books in a basket for checkout at Thrift books now so hopefully I get it this week ( along with Swan Song and the first Xanth book).

[Kasia]

Sorry can't figure out how to do quotes on my phones app, since it looks like I killed my latest laptop.

Thanks John, I do love my ebooks I often end up buying books twice because then I want to put one of my shelf if o really liked it :)

[Latasha]

Oh me either Casey. The one I got has been lovingly read many, many times.

[Melissa ♥ Dog/Wolf Lover ♥]

I finished the book today. This is the third book I have read by this author and I love them all. I can't wait to read more by him!!


Does anyone have any recs for the next great ones. The other two I read was SWan Song and Boys Lifev

[Erin *Proud Book Hoarder*]

Melissa ♥ Dog Lover ♥ wrote: "I finished the book today. This is the third book I have read by this author and I love them all. I can't wait to read more by him!!


Does anyone have any recs for the next great ones. The other ..."

That's the extent of it for me too. I read Mine but again, only thought it was okay. Others like it better than me it seemed

[Melissa ♥ Dog/Wolf Lover ♥]

I think I might try "They Thirst" when I can get it.

[Kasia]

They Thirst is wonderful, well executed and scary as hell.

[Kimberly]

Kasia wrote: "They Thirst is wonderful, well executed and scary as hell."

I haven't re-read that one yet--and the first time I read it was YEARS ago!!!

[Joel]

Melissa ♥ Dog Lover ♥ wrote: "I think I might try "They Thirst" when I can get it."

That one is decent, but far from his best. McCammon actually kept it out-of-print for years because he felt it wasn't up to his standards. Besides the two you have read, I would recommend his short story collection Blue World and the insanity of The Wolf's Hour and Stinger. A World War 2 werewolf vs. Nazis spy thriller and a Texans versus alien scorpion monster thriller! Gone South is good too, for a non-supernatural McCammon novel.

[Melissa ♥ Dog/Wolf Lover ♥]

Looks like I just need to get all of them :-)

Has anyone read by Dan Simmons? I was going to try to read it for my October books if I have time since its a long one

[Kasia]

Now I have to read all of his works.

[Chris]

Melissa ♥ Dog Lover ♥ wrote: "Looks like I just need to get all of them :-)

Has anyone read by Dan Simmons? I was going to try to read it for my October books if I have time since its a lon..."

I haven't read that one, but I have read other Dan Simmons' books and I think he's a fantastic author. I've heard that's a good one!

[Erin *Proud Book Hoarder*]

Melissa ♥ Dog Lover ♥ wrote: "Looks like I just need to get all of them :-)

Has anyone read by Dan Simmons? I was going to try to read it for my October books if I have time since its a lon..."

Summer of Night is excellent and usually highly rated on horror favorite lists.

[Melissa ♥ Dog/Wolf Lover ♥]

Awesome!! Thanks y'all :-)

[Crowinator]

FYI, The Wolf's Hour is $1.99 on Kindle now.

I'm up to p. 192 and really enjoying the creepy Gothic atmosphere. I can't wait to see how it all ties together -- the monsters in the mountains, Nora's history, the Mountain King, the story with New, sociopathic Logan, the Pumpkin Man (darn John, I really wanted to click that spoiler but I am resisting because it would be no fun to do so!). (view spoiler)[The story from Nora's and Erik's time about the "fireworks" was chilling, especially how they later keep referring to it as the residents of the mountain town having been punished in some way. I left off right as Rix was finding out who the informant at the estate is for Wheeler's book...I bet I know who it is. (hide spoiler)]