The Fall of the House of Usher
The Fall of the House of Usher, first published in 1839, is the story in which Edgar Allan Poe's gothic manner reaches its purest form. An unnamed narrator rides up to a decaying mansion beside a black tarn to visit his boyhood friend Roderick Usher, who has written to him in distress. Usher's twin sister Madeline is wasting away from an unexplained illness, the house itself seems to have a diseased life of its own, and when Madeline dies and is laid in a vault beneath the building, the narrator's reading aloud on a stormy night is answered by sounds from below. In a few thousand words Poe fuses setting, character and mood into a single sensation of dread. It is available to read online in your browser on Vinteuil, with the opening pages free.
Start reading right away, without signing up. The complete text is included in Vinteuil Reading, or yours forever with a one-time purchase.
Frequently asked questions about The Fall of the House of Usher
The Fall of the House of Usher by Edgar Allan Poe can be read online on Vinteuil, directly in your browser. The first chapter is free for everyone; the complete book is included in Vinteuil Reading ($4.99/month or $39.99/year) or yours forever for $2.99.
Can I read The Fall of the House of Usher online?
Yes. The Fall of the House of Usher opens right on this page, in a reader designed for long reading: adjustable text size, light, sepia and dark themes, a clickable table of contents and your place saved when you are signed in. No download or app is needed.
Is The Fall of the House of Usher free to read on Vinteuil?
The first chapter of The Fall of the House of Usher is free, without an account. To read the whole book, either buy its online reading for $2.99 (£2.99 in the UK) and keep it forever, or subscribe to Vinteuil Reading for $4.99/month (£4.99/month in the UK) or $39.99/year, with 1 month free for new subscribers. The subscription opens every book in the library and can be cancelled at any time.
Is The Fall of the House of Usher in the public domain?
Yes. The Fall of the House of Usher by Edgar Allan Poe is a public-domain work. Vinteuil offers a carefully prepared digital edition made for comfortable reading on screen.
How long does it take to read The Fall of the House of Usher?
About 29 min of reading, at an average reading pace. Your place is saved automatically when you are signed in, so you can read in several sittings and on several devices.
What kind of book is The Fall of the House of Usher?
The Fall of the House of Usher by Edgar Allan Poe is filed under "Short Stories" in the Vinteuil library.
