All Fall Down (Herlihy novel)

All Fall Down is a 1960 novel by James Leo Herlihy, which was adapted into a 1962 film of the same name directed by John Frankenheimer.

All Fall Down
First US edition cover
AuthorJames Leo Herlihy
LanguageEnglish
PublisherE. P. Dutton (USA) & Faber and Faber (UK)
Publication date
1960
Publication placeUnited States
Media typePrint (Hardback & Paperback)
Pages284 pp (hardback edition)

Plot introduction

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The wealthy Williams family is torn apart from within once they invite Echo in.

Explanation of the novel's title

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The novel's title is meant to draw attention to the effect of the self-motivated, destructive passions unleashed within the family home in the course of its story.

Plot summary

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When the hedonistic Berry-Berry Williams deserts his pregnant lover, Echo O'Brien, his younger brother Clinton's blind faith in him shows signs of waning, while his parents are disgusted by Berry-Berry's actions.

The book goes back and forth from third person to first person (Clinton's diaries).

Characters

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  • Berry-Berry Williams – protagonist
  • Clinton Williams – younger brother to Berry
  • Ralph Williams – father
  • Annabel Williams – mother
  • Echo O'Brien – family guest who becomes pregnant by Berry

Film adaptation

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Release details

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  • 1960, USA, E. P. Dutton, Pub date July 1960, Hardback
  • 1961, USA, Pocket Books (Giant Cardinal Edition), Paperback
  • 1961, UK, Faber and Faber ISBN 0-571-04094-2, Pub date ? December 1961, Hardback
  • 1962, UK, Penguin Books, Paperback
  • 1970, UK, Sphere ISBN 0-7221-4510-1, Pub date 16 July 1970, Paperback
  • 1990, USA, Donald I Fine ISBN 1-55611-192-4, Pub date ? September 1990, Paperback

References

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