Girish Mahajan (Editor)

All Fall Down (novel)

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Author
  
James Leo Herlihy

Language
  
English

Country
  
United States

Publication date
  
1960

Publisher
  
E. P. Dutton (USA) & Faber and Faber (UK)

Media type
  
Print (Hardback & Paperback)

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.

Contents

Plot introduction

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

Explanation of the novel's title

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

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 his actions.

Characters in "All Fall Down"

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

    • Film, TV or theatrical adaptations

  • The 1962 film directed by John Frankenheimer. Starring Eva Marie Saint, Warren Beatty, Karl Malden, and Angela Lansbury.

    • Release details

  • 1960, USA, Dutton ?, Pub date ? ? 1960, Hardback
  • 1961, UK, Faber and Faber ISBN 0-571-04094-2, Pub date ? December 1961, Hardback
  • 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

    All Fall Down (novel) Wikipedia
    (Text) CC BY-SA