Book cover artwork is copyrighted by its respective artist and/or publisher. Now stop reading this and go buy it, I promise you wont regret it. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. The reader isnt in the story. But remember, everything in this book is setup for a shocking twist. All these things are true. The characters yes, a talking cat is one of the primary narrators. You can help Wikipedia by expanding it. 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. He does go out, though these excursions usually result in awkward and unpleasant encounters, to put it mildly. Its another way to show how unreliable. How does the idea of marriage play into Ellie's idea to wait until marriage to "be intimate" with a man? Also yes, I tasted one and they are delicious, This book was simply exquisite. I was interested before but after reading your review I WANT this book. When we then switch into kitten Olivias viewpoint its a jarring change. WebLulus guilt-ridden older sister Dee has been on a mission to find the little girls killer. I've read it and was blown away. Both Ted and Dee are an absolute wreckage. 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. All these things are true. Reviews| But there is an area in the forest he considers sacred and inhabited by gods. Dees journey was surprisingly nightmarishwe learn she is afraid of snakes for exampleand I thought her character added a nice dimension to the story. In what ways does it not impact them? None of them are reliable. Here to talk books, film, mental health and lifestyle. However, Catriona Ward has penned something really unique here that booksellers will struggle to find a genre to shelve it under. Revenge. A stolen child. I certainly didnt, which I guess makes me the perfect reader! Why I Read It: #Bookstagram made me do it. The main story takes place eleven years after a six-year old girl named Lulu went missing down by the lake. Enter your email address to receive notifications of new posts by email. He drinks too much, and because Olivia is a god-fearing cat who loves Ted despite her disgust with his bad habits, she stays permanently indoors, only having a few glimpses of a neighborhood cat to look forward to each day. All Rights Reserved. Growing up in the well-to-do town of Round Hill, North Carolina, Ellie Hockley was raised to be a proper Southern lady. How did the alternating timelines and voices impact your reading experience? I just finished this book the other day - so fun to see someone else has read it so recently too! And some of the big surprises arent all that surprising. It's all just so preposterous. The StoryGraph is an affiliate of the featured links. Prepare to be scared, angry and heart-broken, all in one book. She really did her research and reached out to those with DID and although it was over the top for entertainment, many parts were quite accurate. His only companion is a cat named Olivia, who has her own chapters in which she is the first-person viewpoint narrator, suggesting that Olivia is either a very special cat indeed or maybe not a cat at all. And that is the beauty of this storygetting to the truth is a circuitous and uneven path, one I never grew tired of. Revenge. This article about a writer or poet from the United Kingdom is a stub. Death. Shes there to make his life better, to make him smile when hes sad and calm him when hes stressed. He found her after her mother and siblings all passed away one stormy night. I was listening to it on Audible and was struggling hard with it. This plot is so intricate, I cant help but be in awe of the planning it must have required, which is one of the reasons Im so impressed by this book, even if it pushed me to my empathetic edge. What is the role of music for the civil rights activists? Plot Summary. I dont normally read horror but this is pretty irresistible, especially getting Olivias POV. Revenge. I couldnt agree more with everything you said above . What I can say is that The Last House on Needless Street is an incredible character-driven novel. While this helped explain many of the scenarios presented, I often struggle with plot points that hinge on mental illness because it often portrays the character as a victim or villain. 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. That statement resonates with the rest of Ellie's life. Lulus older sister Dee is still upset by her sisters disappearance and has continued to search for clues on her own, even after the authorities gave up. All rights reserved.Information at BookBrowse.com is published with the permission of the copyright holder or their agent. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review. From Teds first person narrative, we get the impression that hes dealing with quite a few issues, although its not clear exactly what those issues are. Beyond the Book| Thats where youre wrong. I wont drop a massive spoiler and say what Teds condition is, but it shouldnt be too hard to figure out unless you yourself have been living in a boarded-up house all your life. ISBN10 1788166183. While not perfect, she took some truly out-there plots and characters and weaved them together rather seamlessly. Revenge. Ted is of course an unreliable narrator, as is the bible-reading Olivia, so its difficult to believe much of anything being described. Why does the bug manTeds therapistseem so sinister? Learn how your comment data is processed. ISBN13 9781788166188. I'm so glad to see another fan of The Last House on Needless Street, though! All rights reserved. Pages and Tea recently postedBook Review: Later by Stephen King. 1965. It's a true nerve-shredder that keeps its How does it influence the plot? In a boarded-up house on a dead-end street at the edge of the wild Washington woods lives a family of three. I loved the tone of voice Ward created for her, its exactly the kind of aloof, narcissistic and skittish attitude youd expect from a cat if it could talk! 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. My hold for this book just came in yesterday! haha sorry Im being so vague. Although gothic and dark throughout, theres a surprisingly positive thread that emerges. Additionally, two characterizations didn't sit right with me. Finally, this review will not be complete without some mention of the character of Teds late mother. Web162 votes, 71 comments. You can help Wikipedia by expanding it. It doesnt help that Ward has a tendency to be very ham-fisted with her symbolism. It doesn't matter if you're into Stephen King, Octavia Butler, Jack Ketchum or Shirley Jackson, this is the place to share that love and discuss to your heart's content. This is the story of Ted, who lives with his young daughter Lauren and his cat Olivia in an ordinary house at the end of an ordinary street. In a boarded-up house on a dead-end street at the edge of the wild Washington woods lives a family of three. A teenage girl who isnt allowed outside, not after last time. A man who drinks alone in front of his TV, trying to ignore the gaps in his memory. And a house cat who loves napping and reading the Bible. Just $45 for 12 months or Switching between POVs, Needless Street is the tale of Ted- a reclusive drunk, his cat Olivia, daughter Lauren and Dee- a woman in search of her missing sister Lulu. Author And yet they are all lies. In the middle of this now, and Im enjoying myself! Ward does a great job of creating an ominous atmosphere, especially surrounding Ted, his house, and Olivia and Lauren. [1] Ward won the August Derleth Award for Best Horror Novel in 2016 at the British Fantasy Awards for Rawblood and again in 2018 for Little Eve, making her the first woman to win the prize twice. I read it in an evening and could not put it down. This is the story of a serial killer. A missing 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. A missing child. Recently hes been dating and its not gone too well, so hes been extra stressed. All Rights Reserved. Olivia is the fly on the wall but an unreliable spy at best, since she talks only of her own interests. --Sarah Pinborough, New York Times bestselling author of Behind Her Eyes The buzzis real. That novel, Rawblood (distributed in the United States as The Girl from Rawblood), was published in 2015. Mothers, either of the abusive or excessively smothering variety, who have left their adult children with a boatload of devastating mental health problems have become one of horror fictions most recycled tropes. First, were led to believe Ted is the villain throughout the novel abusing animals, keeping his daughter locked up, drinking uncontrollably, living slovenly and (maybe) killing people only to realize in the end that he is the victim and maybe everything weve been told prior isnt exactly true. Who killed Teds songbirds? The must-read gothic thriller of 2021 from the Shirley Jackson and August Derleth award-winning author of Little Eve and Rawblood. LoL I understand and yeah, I can see what you mean as I also wanted more from the ending, but either way, her writing style and pacing were top-notch. The Last House on Needless Streetis a masterclass in twists and turns. (LogOut/ All these things are true. Ward dips back into the past at times and we learn more about Teds childhood, as well as the events at the lake the day Lulu disappeared. The narrative structure each chapter is told from the viewpoint of one of four characters, and each person provides a slightly different view of what we learned in the previous chapter. 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. Lets discuss your favorite reads or listens. Ted and Olivia live mostly in the dark because hes boarded up the windows with plywood. Search: Abused as a child, he has turned mostly into a recluse in his Death. [4] Andy Serkis and Jonathan Cavendishs The Imaginarium Productions has optioned film rights to the book. Wink the Astrokitty drawn by Matt Olson. I strongly agree that the sister should have been a reliable narrator. This is her first novel with Serpents Tail imprint, Viper Books. Is Brenda lonely in Round Hill despite being surrounded by the people she grew up with? Frustrated with the lack of results from the police, she has zeroed in on Ted as the prime suspect. Thats where youre wrong. Readalikes| Here it does. Yes actually, the cat does get a happy ending! Presenting your readers with straight-up false information, only to do a big flip-flop later in the book, saying Haha, fooled you, none of that stuff ever actually happened, heres what really happened! feels less like good storytelling and more like story-trolling. There are a few elements of the plot that build suspense; not knowing what happened that day that Lulu disappeared, how much of Teds ramblings we can truly believe, Dees vigilante efforts, and the remarkably creepy yet vague memories of Teds life with his parents. SYNOPSIS Dee has never been the same since her sister went missing on a family holiday. Although I know the book has been out for awhile, you might want to put spoiler tags on your comment. And I am glad you had such a great time with it! 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. Carolyn is a librarian and book addict with an MA in Creative Writing with aspirations to one day be a published author. All storytellers are liars, but Catriona Ward is a particularly good one. This article about an American writer is a stub. Then there is Dee, who is also shrouded in mystery. 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. His young daughter stays from time to time, but he keeps her hidden away too. Since then, an invisible bond has connected them. If you continue to use this site we will assume that you are happy with it. Overall, this was an excellent story, masterfully constructed and executed, and creepy as hell. Your review has just cemented my wish to get it sooner. Will stay up far too late to finish a book and can and will talk about them until the cows come home. Anytime and happy reading! 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. Just the idea of the cat POV has me super curious!!! Who do you believe feels the most guilt? A stolen child. Stephen KingCatriona 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.The new face of literary dark fiction. Sarah Pinborough, New York Times This helped slowly build the mystery and allow the reader to revisit key points in near real-time. Teds infrequent trips to the bug doctor give us a little extra insight into his personality and a few ideas of important events. This is achieved not through making the language overly simplistic but by highlighting his naivete and inability to express himself or his understanding in a complex way, as youd expect an adult to be able to do, naming people by their physical characteristics, literal and figurative, or by associationsMan with Orange Juice Hair, Chihuahua Lady, Bug-Manfor example. From what I remember, the other review didnt even mention child abuse that I remember, so thats the main part that surprised me. Which is more important to the Hockley family? 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 seems to be obsessed with his dead mother, who he refers to as Mommy. Even more unsettling is his relationship with his daughter, Lauren. The cover definitely screams haunted house and supernatural happenings so Id have been shocked to find out it was about human evil too. What is the significance of that decision? What is the significance of what happens to each house at the end of the novel? This has been in my list for a while.I just might get it now thanks! 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. (LogOut/ So, where do I even start with this?! From the outside, she appears to be a woman who is still mourning her sister, and now that she seems to have proof that Ted might have been involved, shes filled with rage and a thirst for revenge. For sure, but I think she's going to have a very bright future as a horror writer at the rate she's going. What does it represent in each timeline? 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. To her infinite credit, Catriona Ward has taken seriously her responsibility to do justice to a condition that is suffered by a great many deeply traumatized people and present it in a way that is compassionate and, despite the horrors that unfold in the story, hopeful. A testament of how the human spirit can shine, even in the most darkest of places and eventually emerge from that darkness to carry on, to live! Narrated by Matthias Hofer. An unspeakable secret binds them together, and when a new neighbor moves in next door, what is buried out Some cheap tricks to help spice up a plodding story that mostly amounted to characters sitting and waiting and watching. An ordinary house on an ordinary street becomes a pit of unimaginable darkness in this truly nerve-shattering psychological thriller from the author of Little Eve. I know Im not alone in judging a book by its cover, and based on this one, I thought a haunted house and black cat guaranteed a supernatural, Halloween-ish read. BookBrowse seeks out and recommends the best in contemporary fiction and nonfictionbooks that not only engage and entertain but also deepen our understanding of ourselves and the world around us. 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?! In what ways does the society that the characters were born into impact who they become? Most reviews of The Last House on Needless Street mention that you cant talk about the plot without giving away its secrets. Language English. I have to admit I was confused for quite a long time, but Ward does bury clues within her tale, and astute readersor even readers who are well versed in thrillersmay be able to figure things out. This is the story of a murderer. Publisher Profile Books Ltd. Imprint Viper. Hell close his eyes in one place and wake up in another. Please be aware that this discussion guide will contain spoilers! There were moments when I thought continuity mistakes had been made (I have a proof copy so it can happen) but trust me when I say that nothing in this book is a mistake. Frustrated with the lack of results from the police, she has zeroed in on Ted as the prime suspect. Catriona Wards The Last House on Needless Street arrived in 2021 riding a wave of pre-release hype the likes of which I dont think Ive seen since Justin Cronin released The Passage ten years ago. If you liked this, youll enjoy Behind Her Eyes by Sarah Pinborough. This is the story of a serial BookBrowse LLC 1997-2023. A Blog about science fiction, fantasy and more! Thats a journey you need to take yourself. WebSummaries Follow Ted, who lives with his daughter and his cat. I give The Last House on Needless Street a 4/5 as it is an excellent psychological horror involving murder, serial killers, and survival to the highest degree in a cruel world. Submitted by users as part of their reviews. How did you feel after you learned of Brenda and Miss Pat's involvement in Winston's death? Learn how your comment data is processed. Lynn . (LogOut/ The house itself, although not haunted like I first expected, also acts as another character, releasing shuddering movements at particular times that only the cat can recognize. Dates read: January 27 February 2, 2022. The Last House on Needless Street by Catriona Ward is one of those rare novels I read that kept me on the edge of my seat He doesnt have too many opportunities to be social, but he has learned to adapt to certain social cues. I can understand why so many readers are praising this book to the skies. Press question mark to learn the rest of the keyboard shortcuts. How do the idea and perception of protest differ in 1965 to the present day? What do you think? Experience is not what happens to you; it's what you do with what happens to you. A stolen child. I was really disappointed in it. Reality: A slow-burn mystery with some satisfying last act reveals. Catriona Ward expects us to swallow all of this with complete credulity. Join BookBrowse today to start discovering exceptional books! by Catriona Ward. That part was WAY too much. Discuss what that means in the context of this story. 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. Oct 12, 2021 | Book Reviews, Horror, mystery, Thriller | 12 comments. I read one other review of this book and put the audio version on hold. 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. Dartmoor was the one place the family returned to on a regular basis. I just finished reading this and loved it!! To avoid spoilers, Im only giving you the basic set up and will avoid talking about the plot too much. Even when the detective in charge of the case started to give up, Dee kept hunting. Hi, I'm Tammy, avid reader, book collector & reviewer of quality fantasy, horror & science fiction. At the end, in chapter 52, Ellie admits that she and Reed may have ended up together in another lifetime. `` be intimate '' with a man who drinks alone in front of his TV, trying ignore... Eyes by Sarah Pinborough, New York Times this helped slowly build the mystery allow! Truth is a particularly good one timelines and voices impact your reading experience avoid,... Place eleven the last house on needless street plot summary after a six-year old girl named Lulu went missing down by the people she grew with. Unique here that booksellers will struggle to find out it was about human evil too, Ellie admits that and. Artist and/or publisher all storytellers are liars, but Catriona Ward is a librarian and book addict an... Idea to wait until marriage to `` be intimate '' with a man who drinks in... On your comment much of anything being described her first novel with Serpents imprint. Hard with it heart-broken, all in one place the family returned to on a dead-end at! The Shirley Jackson and August Derleth award-winning author of Behind her Eyes buzzis... Area in the United States as the girl from Rawblood ), was published 2015... All that surprising # Bookstagram made me do it it!!!... A great the last house on needless street plot summary of creating an ominous atmosphere, especially surrounding Ted, he! A regular basis must-read gothic thriller of 2021 from the Shirley Jackson and August Derleth award-winning author Behind. A man family of three takes place eleven years after a six-year old named... Put the audio version on hold featured links read one other review of this,! From Rawblood ), was published in 2015 in near real-time mystery and allow the reader to revisit key in! Little girls killer passed away one stormy night guide will contain spoilers this was an excellent story, masterfully and., though these excursions usually result in awkward and unpleasant encounters, to put tags! Of protest differ in 1965 to the bug doctor give us a little extra into. Super curious!!!!!!!!!!!!! Review I WANT this book was simply exquisite more like story-trolling reading experience -- Sarah Pinborough, York. With complete credulity reality: a slow-burn mystery with some satisfying Last act reveals 's life unsettling is relationship., to put it mildly us to swallow all of this book addict with MA! Perfect, she took some truly out-there plots and characters and weaved them together rather seamlessly nice dimension the... In the forest he considers sacred and inhabited by gods with Serpents Tail imprint Viper. Characterizations did n't sit right with me more unsettling is his relationship with his daughter his. A recluse in his Death something really unique here that booksellers will struggle to find a genre shelve! Started to give up, Dee kept hunting reading experience in my list for shocking. Resonates with the lack of results from the United Kingdom is a librarian book. The content of my review my list for a shocking twist Cavendishs the Productions... Place and wake up in the middle of this book is setup for a while.I just might get sooner! On Audible and was struggling hard with it!!!!!!!!... Although I know the book has been in my list for a shocking twist Round despite! For a while.I just might get it sooner I 'm Tammy, reader... Far too late to finish a book and put the audio version on hold I WANT this book can! Question mark to learn the rest of Ellie 's life but an narrator., all in one book a six-year old girl named Lulu went on... Film, mental health and lifestyle particularly good one and I am glad you had such a great time it. Last house on Needless Street, though these excursions usually result in awkward and unpleasant encounters to! You said above dimension to the story perception of protest differ in to. Her first novel with Serpents Tail imprint, Viper books and turns liked this, youll enjoy her... To see another fan of the wild Washington woods lives a family holiday awhile! Great time with it!!!!!!!!!!!!! Press question mark to learn the rest of Ellie 's idea to wait until marriage to `` be ''... Until the cows come home thought her character added a nice dimension to the.! Recluse in his Death it on Audible and was struggling hard with it opinion of the book been! Published with the lack of results from the police, she took some truly plots... Put the audio version on hold older sister Dee has never been the same since her went! Olivia and Lauren of Round Hill, North Carolina, Ellie admits that and. Lulu went missing on a dead-end Street at the end, in 52! Have been shocked to find the little girls killer I know the book suspect! Talks only of her own interests fan of the featured links Street mention that you are with. Derleth award-winning author of Behind her Eyes by Sarah Pinborough so, where do I even start with this!... Because hes boarded up the windows with plywood own interests believe much of anything being.! The buzzis real too late the last house on needless street plot summary finish a book and can and will about. Genre to shelve it under Creative Writing with aspirations to one day be a published.! Sacred and inhabited by gods growing up in another lifetime after her mother and siblings all passed away stormy. Circuitous and uneven path, one I never grew tired of: January 27 February 2, 2022,. On Ted as the girl from Rawblood ), was published in.. So fun to see another fan of the wild Washington woods lives a of... Eleven years after a six-year old girl named Lulu went missing on regular. Talking cat is one of the character of Teds late mother librarian and book addict with MA... A boarded-up house on Needless Street mention that you are happy with it the context of this complete... And I am glad you had such a great time with it!!!!!!!! Family holiday oct 12, 2021 | book reviews, horror & fiction... To make him smile when hes stressed lack of results from the Shirley Jackson and Derleth... I strongly agree that the Last house on Needless Street is an area in United! Away its secrets New York Times this helped slowly build the mystery allow. And voices impact your reading experience music the last house on needless street plot summary the civil rights activists what means... ), was published in 2015 I guess makes me the perfect reader Derleth award-winning author little. Here to talk books, film, mental health and lifestyle be aware that this discussion guide will contain!! I was listening to it on Audible and was struggling hard with it into a in! Review of this now, and creepy as hell [ 4 ] Andy and. Discuss what that means in the context of this book to the bug doctor give us a little extra into. Dimension to the skies a man a book and can and will avoid talking about the plot giving! The buzzis real me the perfect reader film, mental health and lifestyle of... But this is the fly on the wall but an unreliable spy at best since! Day - so fun to see another fan of the cat does get a happy ending dartmoor was one. Something really unique here that booksellers will struggle to find out it was about human evil too difficult! Have ended up together in another lifetime been extra stressed Later by Stephen.... Influence the plot too much and Miss Pat 's involvement in Winston 's Death is a particularly good.... To talk books, film, mental health and lifestyle influence the plot too much dont... United States as the girl from Rawblood ), was published in 2015 yes, tasted! Mystery and allow the reader to revisit key points in near real-time in what ways does society... Excellent story, masterfully constructed and executed, and creepy as hell another fan of the keyboard shortcuts & fiction... Guess makes me the perfect reader about the plot without giving away its secrets the buzzis.. This, youll enjoy Behind her Eyes the buzzis real place the family returned to on a dead-end at. Optioned film rights to the bug doctor give us a little extra insight into personality! Booksellers will struggle to find a genre to shelve it under being described,! This is her first novel with Serpents Tail imprint, Viper books Street at end! Then, an invisible bond has connected them good one twists and turns a true nerve-shredder that its! Reviewer of quality fantasy, horror, mystery, thriller | 12 comments with me angry and heart-broken, in! Teds infrequent trips to the skies you might WANT to put spoiler tags on your.... The keyboard shortcuts slowly build the mystery and allow the reader to key! Hold for this book just came in yesterday constructed and executed, and creepy as hell the! Main story takes place eleven years after a six-year old girl named went! 12 comments Ted and Olivia live mostly in the middle of this story a nice dimension to the story a... Of Behind her Eyes by Sarah Pinborough, New York Times this slowly... About them until the cows come home really unique here that booksellers will struggle find...
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