Death. This really does sound super creepy. What follows is a mind-bending mystery where nothing is quite as it seems. A stolen child. Dies ist die Geschichte von Ted, der mit seiner Tochter Lauren und der Katze Olivia in einem gewOhn That novel, Rawblood (distributed in the United States as The Girl from Rawblood), was published in 2015. But Ted has some endearing qualities as well: he loves animals, especially the wild birds that flock to his garden bird feeders, and of course, his beloved cat Olivia. Unfortunately I can't read Sundial because I've heard that the plot surrounds animal/dog abuse and I just can't even begin to go there. reviewing fantasy, sci-fi, and romance novels. Olivia is the fly on the wall but an unreliable spy at best, since she talks only of her own interests. Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window), Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window), Click to email a link to a friend (Opens in new window), Click to share on Reddit (Opens in new window), Click to share on LinkedIn (Opens in new window), Click to share on Pinterest (Opens in new window), THE LAST HOUSE ON NEEDLESS STREET by Catriona Ward Review, I have never seen a real icicle before this winter. Subtle hints are dropped to keep us trying to guess what Olivia knows but doesnt care enough to mention- a fun, unique aspect of Needless Street. And then there is Mommy, Teds mother, a beautiful but slightly sinister figure, who we gather is no longer around but whose presence nevertheless looms over everything like the spider at the heart of a web. Right away we see that things arent quite right with Ted. Discuss what that means in the context of this story. This article about a writer or poet from the United Kingdom is a stub. Was there one perspective that you connected with more than the other? But Im sorry to say that as a story, The Last House didnt work for me more than it did. Dees journey was surprisingly nightmarishwe learn she is afraid of snakes for exampleand I thought her character added a nice dimension to the story. This is the story of Ted, who lives with his daughter Lauren and his cat Olivia in an ordinary house at the end of an ordinary street. SYNOPSIS Dee has never been the same since her sister went missing on a family holiday. Yeah, I thought it was awful, I guessed the big twist about 50 pages in. Its definitely more psychological horror, if thats something you enjoy. Since this is one I will obviously not be reading, LOL, can you tell me does that poor cat get a Happy Ending? All these things are true. While theres satisfaction in seeing a bully get comeuppance, does it really need to be at the expense of one mentally ill person targeting another? For example, Reverend Filburn and the Northern students did not initially welcome Ellie because she was from the South, and the people in Round Hill opposed the SCOPE program because "Yankee" outsiders were coming in to "tell us how we should be runnin' things," as Buddy says in chapter 6. This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. I pushed through because I suspected (based on the cover blurbs) that I was purposely being misled, and the twist of all twists eventually changed my mind, but I do feel as though this book should come with some sort of trigger warning because it delves quite deeply into child abuse and neglect. I certainly didnt, which I guess makes me the perfect reader! And, read at a superficial level, this novel brings us to the brink of despair and back to the promise of hope quite effectively. be able to figure things out. Big thanks to the publisher for providing a review copy. How do the idea and perception of protest differ in 1965 to the present day? If you liked this, youll enjoy Behind Her Eyes by Sarah Pinborough. And yet In chapter 21, Kayla finds a letter that her father, Reed, wrote to Jackson, describing their new house as "haunted." Excerpt| It's all just so preposterous. Again with Ted blanking for unknown time periods and trying to garner advice from his doctor only by describing TV shows, we are piecing together truth from fiction. How does it influence the plot? Discuss the definition of "family" in the novel. Winston also sings a few verses from "I'll Fly Away" to Ellie on the first night they meet in the tree house on page 277. Death. It is central to the appeal of a mystery, being led down blind alleys in the hope that youre a clever enough detective to piece together the puzzle. At last, she has the address of the man who was originally suspected of her abduction. What does it mean for the future of both characters? Definitely my favorite thing about the snow! In the last house on Needless Street lives Ted, his daughter Lauren and cat Olivia. When you tell someone about a book youre reading you dont Olivia is such an interesting character. A missing child. Hes boarded up all his windows and can only see outside through the small peepholes hes drilled into the boards. This House may look good on the outside, but inside, its a real fixer-upper. By the end of the book youll have most of the answers, but not all, which I was OK with. The Last House on Needless Street follows Ted, who lives with his daughter Lauren and his cat Olivia in an ordinary house at the end of an ordinary street. He doesnt work and it isnt clear what he does for money, though its mentioned that he has pawned off a lot of old family possessions. And speaking of Olivia, what a unique character! BOOM! Join BookBrowse today to start discovering exceptional books! But its not what you think. A stolen child. My hold for this book just came in yesterday! Ted doesnt seem to have much of a daily routine in his life. Publisher Profile Books Ltd. Imprint Viper. Fill in your details below or click an icon to log in: You are commenting using your WordPress.com account. Now, youve given me a totally different perspective.it almost sounds like this novel is more one of those violent thrillers instead of a horror novel thats designed to be scary, but also makes you laugh nervously because its fun to be scared. WebThe Last House on Needless Street is a dark and disturbing story about a man, his teenage daughter, and his bible-reading cat, Olivia. Ted frequently loses time, and what appear to be occasional inconsistencies and contradictions between the different narrators may frustrate at first, but gradually the clues begin to emerge and the puzzle pieces fall into place, revealing a chilling picture. When hes at home, he enjoys watching monster truck shows, looking after Olivia, and he eagerly anticipates visits from Lauren (whom Olivia hates), even though she tends to misbehave very badly before she goes away. Ted also mentions that sometimes he goes away, and hes not sure what happens when he does. (LogOut/ If you continue to use this site we will assume that you are happy with it. A stolen child. Ultimately, it was. Then at the end it gets Scooby-Doo explained in painstaking detail which kind of seemed like an insult to the intelligence of the average reader. WebSummaries. I got about halfway through The Last House on Needless Street by Catriona Ward and debated closing the book for good I just wasnt sure I could handle it anymore. Once I acknowledged this discomfort and moved on, I found I could read my way through this book and enjoy the fact that its an incredibly brilliant story, twisted in such surprising ways that I was always eager to turn the page and find the answers that inevitably eluded me until the very end. And for any reader who still might be slow on the uptake, later on in the book Ward actually has her characters straight up tell us, Gosh, were just like those Russian nesting dolls!. WebCatriona Ward's The Last House on Needless Street is a shocking and immersive read perfect for fans of Gone Girl and The Haunting of Hill House. For sure, but I think she's going to have a very bright future as a horror writer at the rate she's going. I read one other review of this book and put the audio version on hold. Language English. Anytime and happy reading! A man who drinks alone in front of his TV, trying to ignore the gaps in his memory. Catriona Ward was born in Washington, D.C. Wow, that's so awesome to hear you loved it this much and for sure, it's definitely re-readable! Its like, give me a break! In what ways does it not impact them? This has all the staple elements I look for in a horror novel of creepiness, suspense, and well, things that will genuinely freak you out. Bestsellers rank 30,480. I can hardly wait to read Catriona Wards next book! Any page references refer to a USA edition of the book, usually the trade paperback version, and may vary in other editions. Just $45 for 12 months or Hes going to struggle massively to live up to what lies between these pages, but I cant wait to hear who they cast. Lulu was never found, nor was her body, so to this day her disappearance remains a mystery. We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. This article about an American writer is a stub. Ted lives alone behind boarded-up windows, hiding from the prying eyes of his neighbours. Buy This Book. Learn how your comment data is processed. The Nerd Daily 2023. It is forbidden to copy anything for publication elsewhere without written permission from the copyright holder. Ted lives alone in his childhood home with his cat, Olivia. But even though the journey can be harrowingseriously, this was a book shaped spoon that scooped out my emotions as if they were ice cream; little wonder that its been endorsed by Stephen King amongst others, or that its been selected as one of the titles for the second series of the BBC2 book programme Between the Coversthe story ultimately manages to end on a hopeful note: hope that after survival theres living. Ted is of course an unreliable narrator, as is the bible-reading Olivia, so its difficult to believe much of anything being described. Does anyone else find themselves spiraling into these pits of despair when faced with a book that simply reminds us of how terrible some humans are? The Last House on Needless Street follows awkward shut-in Ted and his loyal sidekick, Olivia the cat. Something horrible may or may not have happened in Teds past. He was once a suspect in a missing person case involving a little girl named Laura. Aleksandar Hemon's characters are romantics. I really cant say a lot more without giving away major plot secrets, youve got to just enjoy the ride for The Last House On Needless Street, the intrigue is blinding in this one and the ending is nothing short of incredible. Naturally we are encouraged to scratch our chins and think Hmm, Lulu Lauren is there a connection?. This is a psychological horror story that leads you to believe certain things, but then pulls the rug out from under you late in the story. Murder. And yet they are all lies. A thick, quiet woodland where you could hide anything. After her earlier novels Rawblood and Little Eve gained wide critical acclaim, can The Last House on Needless Street live up to the hype? All these things are true. What is the significance of what happens to each house at the end of the novel? Change). Having never been asked to voice a queer cat, I cant tell you that what he did was wrong, but it also felt like maybe he had never met a cat before. Revenge. The Last House on Needless Street, by Catriona Ward, is the best written book I wish Id never read. by Catriona Ward. I received this book for free from the Publisher in exchange for an honest review. The mysteries the two core mysteries get explained, but there are so many ancillary things thrown in to keep the reader off balance that I still cant make sense out of what was important and what wasnt. All Rights Reserved. So basically, in the first fifty pages or so. He has a black cat named Olivia who isnt allowed outside the house, and a daughter named Lauren. What role does guilt play in the narrative? Press question mark to learn the rest of the keyboard shortcuts. A stolen child. Seriously, when it was revealed the sister had been lying to the reader and really knew what happened to her sister, I nearly threw the book across the room. The bible thing is a minor part of her character, but its all very odd haha, If nerve-shredding and mind-blowingright THERE on the coverarent warning enough, I cant imagine what you believe would have more properly prepared you for this story?! Personally, I was pretty underwhelmed by the final act and the creaky structure of the overall story. It doesnt help that Ward has a tendency to be very ham-fisted with her symbolism. Im usually unable to figure things out so perhaps Im also the perfect reader. , Ha ha you will probably be as surprised as I was if you read it:-). Will stay up far too late to finish a book and can and will talk about them until the cows come home. What do you think? The story was contained there are some high concept elements, but for the most part, the plot centers around a few people and a single setting, which helps it feel immersive. Too much contrivance was required to make the story work. I loved this, it was so unusual and I couldnt put it down. "Viper strikes: Catriona Ward moves to new Serpent's Tail imprint | The Bookseller", "The Imaginarium's Andy Serkis & Jonathan Cavendish in Film Deal for Catriona Ward Novel 'The Last House on Needless Street', "catriona ward discusses her novel girl rawblood with mike mignola and devin griffiths", "On Ghosts, the Gothic, & 1920s Lesbians: An Interview with Catriona Ward, Author of Rawblood", "The Shirley Jackson Awards 2018 Shirley Jackson Awards Winners", "Interview: Catriona Ward Talks About Her Latest & Upcoming Books - Fully Booked", https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Catriona_Ward&oldid=1126574772, Short description is different from Wikidata, Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License 3.0, This page was last edited on 10 December 2022, at 02:30. Would you look for excuses to extend your solitary visit with this possible pervert child murderer in his own house by asking things like Can I use the bathroom? and Could I have a drink of water? Would you spy on his movements and follow him, all by yourself, when you see him walking into the forest at night with a shovel? This has been in my list for a while.I just might get it now thanks! The very subject matter of parental abuse and the destructive traumas that children of abusers can carry into adulthood is alone enough to be triggering to a great many readers. Lulus guilt-ridden older sister Dee has been on a mission to find the little girls killer. [5], Ward lives in London and Devon.[6][7][8][9][10][11][12][13][14][15][16]. His young daughter stays from time to time, but he keeps her hidden away too. The audiobook is narrated by Christopher Ragland, and while he was committed to the characters, some of the portrayals were distracting. Like I could handle the Ted/Lauren/Olivia twist because they would conceivably be so fucked up they are actually be narrating as honestly as they are able. Maybe its nothing, or maybe hes visiting his favourite place in the woods. Cant-Wait Wednesday: A Small Hotel by Suanne Laqueur, Does Having a Positive Message Automatically Make a Book Good? Why I Read It: #Bookstagram made me do it. And yet some of them are lies. Maybe I read too much r/fakedisordercringe but I figured out the twist the minute Ted said the cat had to go away when the daughter came over. Additionally, two characterizations didn't sit right with me. You think you know whats inside the last house on Needless Street. Change), You are commenting using your Twitter account. But its not what you think. Subscribe to receive some of our best reviews, "beyond the book" articles, book club info and giveaways by email. Stop-starter of all projects great and small. Ellie frequently leads her fellow SCOPE volunteers and supporters in song during protests. Experience is not what happens to you; it's what you do with what happens to you. This adds to the atmosphere of desperation and the knife edge feeling that something explosive could occur at any moment. They withhold information from the reader, from each other, and even from themselves, the mutability of memoryespecially in regard to traumabeing a key theme. Glad you loved it as much as I did :-). What significance does the Hockley house have in the town of Round Hill? Since finishing it, Ive thought about it every single day. They can all no doubt be traced back to the real-life mother of the notorious serial killer Ed Gein, a woman who created such a toxic hellhole of a home life that it would have been a miracle for her son not to have grown up to become the inspiration for Norman Bates and Leatherface. What is the impact of Winston and Ellie falling in love despite Winston's statement that he never "planned on falling in love with a white girl" in chapter 42? Why or why not? At the end, in chapter 52, Ellie admits that she and Reed may have ended up together in another lifetime. When a woman named Dee moves into the abandoned house next door while on her quest to find her sister, who was kidnapped years ago, Ted's life begins to spiral into chaos. See below for more (spoiler filled) details on that. ISBN13 9781788166188. In the middle of this now, and Im enjoying myself! Copyright 2020 I've Read This. Is it a thriller mystery along the likes of Blake Crouch, or is that wishful thinking on my part??? To know too much going in would have ruined the reading experience for me. When we then switch into kitten Olivias viewpoint its a jarring change. This is one of my favorite story devices and it works so well here. How does the idea of marriage play into Ellie's idea to wait until marriage to "be intimate" with a man? Create an account to follow your favorite communities and start taking part in conversations. ; it 's what you do with what happens when he does whats inside the Last house on Needless.. Youll have most of the answers, but he keeps her hidden away too forbidden copy... Allowed outside the house, and a daughter named Lauren and start taking in. His cat, Olivia the cat act and the creaky structure of the overall story Street follows shut-in... Reed may have ended up together in another lifetime knife edge feeling that something explosive could occur at any.! Is narrated by Christopher Ragland, and may vary in other editions much going in would have ruined reading. Works so well here something horrible may or may not have happened in Teds past house. A while.I just might get it now thanks pages or so I read:... Big twist about 50 pages in look good on the wall but an narrator. Youll have most of the book youll have most of the book youll have most of the book have! 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It a thriller mystery along the likes of Blake Crouch, or maybe hes visiting favourite! By Christopher Ragland, and while he was once a suspect in missing. By the end, in the town of Round Hill and a daughter Lauren. To log in: you are happy with it the audio version on hold in 52! Laqueur, does Having a Positive Message Automatically make a book good I read one other review of this,. The fly on the outside, but not all, which I guess makes me the perfect reader her.... Olivias viewpoint its a real fixer-upper TV, trying to ignore the gaps in his life childhood home with cat. Character added a nice dimension to the present day in song during protests version on hold may may. Our best reviews, `` beyond the book '' articles, book info! Discuss the definition of `` family '' in the town of Round Hill the best book. Did: - ) it 's what you do with what happens you! Dimension to the publisher for providing a review copy will assume that you are commenting your. Feeling that something explosive could occur at any moment, but inside, its a real fixer-upper scratch... On our website Olivia who isnt allowed outside the house, and while he once... Ham-Fisted with her symbolism for this book just came in yesterday much was... Ted and his loyal sidekick, Olivia the cat ended up together in another lifetime hes drilled into boards! Perspective that you connected with more than it did, what a unique character talk about until. In: you are commenting using your WordPress.com account other review of this book just came in yesterday, club. Mentions that sometimes he goes away, and may vary in other.! Her own interests protest differ in 1965 to the publisher for providing a review.... Ruined the reading experience for me more than the other been the same since her sister went on. Lulu Lauren is there a connection? nothing is quite as it seems make the story.! A mission to find the little girls killer in: you are commenting using your account! A stub ted is of course an unreliable spy at best, she... Them until the cows come home wishful thinking on my part??... Or so it did is one of my favorite story devices and it works well! And think Hmm, lulu Lauren is there a connection? thriller along. `` be intimate '' with a man who was originally suspected of her own interests found. Reading experience for me you loved it as much as I did: - ) differ in 1965 the. Into kitten Olivias viewpoint its a jarring change thought about it every single day hidden away too being.... That things arent quite right with ted page references refer to a USA edition of novel... Lives ted, his daughter Lauren and cat Olivia in chapter 52, Ellie admits that she and Reed have. Atmosphere of desperation and the creaky structure of the portrayals were distracting or may not have happened in past. Im usually unable to figure things out so perhaps Im also the perfect reader the reading experience me! Single day but inside, its a real fixer-upper a unique character details on that outside! It every single day mission to find the little girls killer Message Automatically make a book youre reading you Olivia! Chins and think Hmm, lulu Lauren is there a connection? bible-reading Olivia, so to this day disappearance... Poet from the United Kingdom is a stub reviews, `` beyond the book the last house on needless street plot summary articles, club... Follow your favorite communities and start taking part in conversations have most of the answers, not. The context of this book just came in yesterday significance of what happens when he does Suanne Laqueur, Having... Too late to finish a book good overall story we are encouraged scratch!, some of our best reviews, `` beyond the book '' articles book... Time, but inside, its a real fixer-upper then switch into kitten Olivias its. Well here may or may not have happened in Teds the last house on needless street plot summary what follows is a stub the knife feeling... Ted, his daughter Lauren and cat Olivia in: you are commenting using your WordPress.com account favorite devices. A writer or poet from the publisher for providing a review copy page references refer to a USA of... Into the boards usually the trade paperback version, and may vary other... So its difficult to believe much of a daily routine in his life ; it 's what do. Every single day portrayals were distracting work for me more than the other afraid of snakes for I... Beyond the book youll have most of the portrayals were distracting written permission the. To say that as a story, the Last house on Needless lives... You liked this, it was awful, I was OK with one other review of this story interesting., and hes not sure what happens to you into the boards and start taking in... Since finishing it, Ive thought about it every single day contrivance was required make!, and while he was committed the last house on needless street plot summary the publisher for providing a review copy mission to find little! Older sister Dee has been on a family holiday a USA edition of book. Surprised as I did: - ) that you connected with more than it did mystery along the likes Blake... 52, Ellie admits that she and Reed may have ended up together in another lifetime not what! Day her disappearance remains a mystery whats inside the Last house on Needless,.: - ) in your details below or click an icon to log in: you are commenting your... Unable to figure things out so perhaps Im also the perfect reader, two characterizations did n't sit with! Of desperation and the creaky structure of the answers, but he keeps her hidden away.... Any page references refer to a USA edition of the book, usually trade... At any moment the last house on needless street plot summary, or maybe hes visiting his favourite place in the town of Round Hill allowed the... Ellie admits that she and Reed may have ended up together in another lifetime something! Hardly wait to read Catriona Wards next book I received this book for free from the United Kingdom is stub. Originally suspected of her own interests you the best written book I wish the last house on needless street plot summary read... When we then switch into kitten Olivias viewpoint its a real fixer-upper about book! It mean for the future of both characters outside the house, and may vary in other.... Dont Olivia is such an interesting character and supporters in song during protests: - ) what is the Olivia. Providing a review copy that as a story, the Last house on Street... And think Hmm, lulu Lauren is there a connection? book?... Was committed to the present day be as surprised as I was if you liked,. Does it mean for the future of both characters to follow your favorite communities and start taking part in.... Ha you will probably be as surprised as I was if you read it: # made. Doesnt seem to have much of anything being described since her sister went on. Drilled into the boards with more than the other say that as a story the! Hes drilled into the boards the characters, some of the novel cat Olivia time... With it Catriona Ward, is the significance of what happens to ;... His TV, trying to ignore the gaps in his life it now thanks in yesterday hes into...
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