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
Author	James Leo Herlihy
Language	English
Publisher	E. P. Dutton (USA) & Faber and Faber (UK)
Publication date	1960
Publication place	United States
Media type	Print (Hardback & Paperback)
Pages	284 pp (hardback edition)

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 Berry-Berry's actions.

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

Characters

• 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

• The 1962 film, directed by John Frankenheimer, stars Eva Marie Saint as Echo O'Brien, Warren Beatty as Berry-Berry, Karl Malden as Ralph, Brandon deWilde as Clinton and Angela Lansbury as Annabel.

Release details

• 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