My apologies if anyone thinks this is inappropriate. I just think that the literature game is so much fun, but there is so much lag time between answers that perhaps we could run two of them simultaneously.
My ulterior motive is that I am unable to get any of the other answers, so this is my sneaky way of starting a new thread.
I just had to post this one because the darn thing kept me up half the night thinking about it. Extra credit if anyone can get this from my first clue.

It actually starts with a little personal true story.
My home in Maryland is near a small town on the Patapsco River.
Just downriver is another very very small town known as Woodstock Md. Near the town of Woodstock there is a spooky and mysterious place that sits way back in the woods. When I was a child, my friends and I would hike through the woods (about an hour's walk) to sneak onto this property and play among the buildings and statues. Little did we know at the time that this is the place where we would first meet the "Title" character of this huge bestseller.

[ 08-09-2001: Message edited by: justawful ]

I think it's just fine that you have started another game simultaneously JA, it will lead to more action!

Saving the girl cost him his life.

Is this Poe's Usher?

Good guess Jazz, but I'm afraid that is not it.
I'll give a little more time before the next clue.

For the jackpot, this is my answer...

Ichabod Crane, from "The Legend Of Sleepy Hollow"

Good guess Thunder, but not the one I'm going for yet.
Remember that this is a "bestseller", not necessarily literature, but a very successful bestseller. Another clue in an hour.

Mad magazine once ran a satire of the movie version. In it they used a rhyming play on words instead of the actual frightening exclamation in the movie. The Mad version said:

"Your mother wears socks.... THAT SMELL!!!!"

Loosely based on an actual series of events in Georgetown, this story will shake your faith.

The Exorcist?

We have a winner! EC is IT!

lol...I now remember the Mad Magazine satire. Good one JA...I have never actually read the book.

Okay, try this one:

In this book, a character's military rank is the same as his name.

Catch 22?

You got it, Justawful.

Ok here's a new one.

This story illustrates man's descent back to his primal instincts.

It seems that Lord of the Flies would fit here...maybe among others?

Lord of the Flies is it. Well done Jazz. One of your favorites perhaps?

Indeed JA! Okay...my turn here...hmmm...

A boy's life changes as a result of the actions of a mysterious benefactor.

GE...makes things brighter?

Great Expectations by Charles Dickens.

I know that our Prof got this one, but I'm going to reward it to Mickey Mouse with Proffie's permission. Sound okay P?

Answer was indeed...Great Expectations.

yes of course, by all means, please go Mickey...(old song tune?)

Have we lost Mickey?

Yup. I believe so. Could the Professor proceed?