Ted and Olivia live mostly in the dark because hes boarded up the windows with plywood. About a decade before the story opens, Ted was a person of interest in the disappearance of a four-year-old girl named Lulu, who was visiting the nearby lake with her parents and big sister Dee. This House may look good on the outside, but inside, its a real fixer-upper. But there is an area in the forest he considers sacred and inhabited by gods. While Ward toed that line delicately, a few things still didnt sit right with me. 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. Finally, this review will not be complete without some mention of the character of Teds late mother. A gut-punch of a novel about a Cherokee child removed from her family and sent to a Christian boarding school in the 1950s. Since this is one I will obviously not be reading, LOL, can you tell me does that poor cat get a Happy Ending? Sadly I am not a fan of this kind of book, horror is not for me, amd psychological horror is definitely not for me, but your review was captivating! 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. Hasini @ Bibliosini recently postedDoes Having a Positive Message Automatically Make a Book Good? What is the house haunted by, if not supernatural beings? A missing 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 It was a genuine surprise and just made me love this novel even more, even though I wanted more with the ending, still thought it was an excellent reading adventure. All storytellers are liars, but Catriona Ward is a particularly good one. Publisher Profile Books Ltd. Imprint Viper. Revenge. However, Catriona Ward has penned something really unique here that booksellers will struggle to find a genre to shelve it under. However, intrinsically, The Last House on Needless Street is a tale of survival. Looks like I have lots more to look forward to! It doesnt help that Ward has a tendency to be very ham-fisted with her symbolism. Synopsis An Indie Next Pick! Please dont ask me how because that would involve at least a hundred spoilers. And yet they are all lies. At the end of Needless Street is forest. A stolen child. "Loneliness felt like a disease with no cure," Ellie says in chapter 40. His young daughter stays from time to time, but he keeps her hidden away too. Im usually unable to figure things out so perhaps Im also the perfect reader. 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? Also yes, I tasted one and they are delicious, This book was simply exquisite. 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. In her authors note (which, again, dont read before you finish the book as it gives away the major twist) Ward describes it as a story about survival, disguised as a book about horror. This is a pretty good thumbnail description. 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. Its definitely not for everyone because it may steer some readers into painful childhood memories that may be best left unexamined, but its an excellent example of the power of red herrings when directing attention to all the wrong places. The story is told from multiple points of view: Ted, Olivia (yes you heard that right, the cat), DeeTeds new neighbour, and Lauren. 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. A teenage girl who isnt allowed outside, not after last time. Buy This Book. Can you describe a situation where this statement resonated with you? To know too much going in would have ruined the reading experience for me. A stolen child. The must-read gothic thriller of 2021 from the Shirley Jackson and August Derleth award-winning author of Little Eve and Rawblood. Stop-starter of all projects great and small. What does it represent in each timeline? Thats a journey you need to take yourself. But its not what you think. The nerve-shredding tension and creeping unease comes with you having to work things out at the characters pace. Ted doesnt mind because the guy gives him free meds. Time is not always linear in this story, so flashbacks of Dee and Teds childhood interrupt the suspenseful present-day plotline, while other times its unclear whether someone is recalling a memory or creating one. It felt long at times there are some vague situations at the beginning and none of the characters come across as likable except Olivia, the Bible loving queer cat which made me wonder if the ride was worth it. I was interested before but after reading your review I WANT this book. Death. 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. Would you walk over to his house, all by yourself, knock on the front door, make friendly conversation? Who do you believe feels the most guilt?
You can help Wikipedia by expanding it. 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 cover definitely screams haunted house and supernatural happenings so Id have been shocked to find out it was about human evil too. This is where the story begins to go wrong. haha sorry Im being so vague. The ending was alright and even though I wanted a bit more, I'm looking forward to reading her next novel, "Sundial" by the end of March :-). 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. So, where do I even start with this?! Im probably like you in that I would also start to think about how such things really do occur/are occurring in the world and that makes this type of book one Im far less likely to want to read. Lets discuss your favorite reads or listens. The audiobook is narrated by Christopher Ragland, and while he was committed to the characters, some of the portrayals were distracting. If youve read the novel, you understand that mental illness is the central plot. Priscilla Bettis recently posted3rd Quarter 2021 Writing Goals, This is one book you DONT want to spoil, it was so unique:-). From literary classics to sci-fi graphic novels, I love it all. I just dont think that such emotional impact requires abandoning good storytelling logic and realistic characters. ** This title earned me the Animal Companion badge in the Spells & Spaceships SFF collection! WebIn a boarded-up house on a dead-end street at the edge of the wild Washington woods lives a family of three. And yet they are all lies You think you know whats inside the last house on Needless Street. 100-Word (or Less) Synopsis: All is not what it seems on Needless Street. You may think youve read this story before, but its not what you think. 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. Firstly, when I started reading The Last House on Needless Street, I expected a bone-chilling horror and prepared myself for some gore. Ted was abused by his psychopathic and murderous mother for years, which led him to develop dissociative identity disorder. Lulus guilt-ridden older sister Dee has been on a mission to find the little girls killer. I have been lied to in the best possible way and I enjoyed every single moment. I couldnt put it down! At the half way point I couldn't justify spending any more time with it and refunded it. 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. (LogOut/ Its evident from the opening chapter that something is very very wrong with Ted Bannerman, who lives in a decrepit old house with all of its windows boarded up, on a cul-de-sac bordering a forest and nearby lake. Hugs to @tordotcompub for the review copy . Olivia is the fly on the wall but an unreliable spy at best, since she talks only of her own interests. If you continue to use this site we will assume that you are happy with it. Spam Free: Your email is never shared with anyone; opt out any time. See below for more (spoiler filled) details on that. Reviews|
I strongly agree that the sister should have been a reliable narrator. Lying narrators aside, the scarf nonsense alone would have soured me on Wards story. Carolyn is a librarian and book addict with an MA in Creative Writing with aspirations to one day be a published author. But was it really necessary for this totally outside character (who was not another Ted personality) to ALSO bullshit the reader? I read one other review of this book and put the audio version on hold. The story revolves around a handful of characters: Ted Bannerman is a single man who lives in a creepy, boarded up house on Needless Street. Book Review: The Last House on the Street. Second, its the intersection of grief, revenge and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). You know from the outset theres a lot more to this than the characters are showing you, but its so carefully written you cant quite figure out what theyre hiding. 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. You can help Wikipedia by expanding it. Revenge. It's all just so preposterous. He knows this, because he buried them there himself. Thats where youre wrong. This character 360 comes across as a master stroke of creativity by Ward. Please be aware that this discussion guide will contain spoilers! I dont normally read horror but this is pretty irresistible, especially getting Olivias POV. 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 thrillers. He does go out, though these excursions usually result in awkward and unpleasant encounters, to put it mildly. To avoid spoilers, Im only giving you the basic set up and will avoid talking about the plot too much. Expectation: A page-turning supernatural thriller. This is her first novel with Serpents Tail imprint, Viper Books. Think Ill pass I much prefer nasty ghosts to nasty people , I prefer nasty ghouls to nasty people any day! This is indeed a great weekend read for sure :-). The other device the author uses is that she shows the same events from two different perspectives. A teenage girl who isnt allowed outside, not after last time. WebI am 66% into The Last House on Needless Street by @Catrionaward & I can honestly say its mind-blowing. I've never heard that phrase "not to yuck anyone's yum" as that's the quote of the day! Ultimately, it was. Ward initially worked as an actor based in New York. Jan 2022, 352 pages
Stephanie @ Bookfever recently postedCant-Wait Wednesday: A Small Hotel by Suanne Laqueur, I really thought the whole pull the rug out from under you was well done. And yet some of them ar Read more Community Reviews Summary of 7,367 reviews Moods dark 95% mysterious 81% WebSummaries. Death. Catriona Ward was born in Washington, D.C. Why or why not? This was the first novel Ive ever read by Ward and her style of writing is absolutely fantastic. Author
Enter your email address to receive notifications of new posts by email. This horror fiction-related article is a stub. And I am glad you had such a great time with it! Even as someone that loves cats, I struggled with this fantasy element. All reviews and site design by Thomas M. Wagner. Overall, this was an excellent story, masterfully constructed and executed, and creepy as hell. In a boarded-up house on a dead-end street at the edge of the wild Washington woods lives a family of three. Is the cat one of the narrators? 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. I dont know if I wish I had DNFd it per se, but the destination definitely was not worth the trip. But, its also not what you think when you start reading it, it turns into something totally unexpectedI dont want to give anything away! 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. What are the expectations of family, and where do the lines blur between blood relatives and people who simply fulfill familial roles? But Im sorry to say that as a story, The Last House didnt work for me more than it did. If a book needs every narrator to lie to the reader for the book to work, its possible that maybe the core concept is fundamentally flawed. Recommended for spooky season, but reader beware! But the way you know misdirection and especially plot twists have been done correctly is if you as the reader can reverse-engineer the story, looking back at earlier sections to discover, yes, there were the clues along, there was always enough information in the narrative for me to have solved this if I had been observant enough. Honestly, by the time the story reaches these revelations, were so far away from relatable reality that its practically parody. Ward takes a well-worn horror device and portrays it in a way thats much more sympathetic, less superficial, but without making it any less scary (because the survival itself and the things survived are pretty horrific). 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. Now stop reading this and go buy it, I promise you wont regret it. 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. This was my first book of the year but I sadly set it aside because I could tell my brain wasnt in the right mindset for it, but I am so glad you reviewed this book so well and I am excited to pick it up when the mood is right! He has only his cat Olivia for company, and he rarely leaves the house. [2] Little Eve also went on to win the prestigious Shirley Jackson Award for best novel. Learn how your comment data is processed. I was really disappointed in it. Both Ted and Dee are an absolute wreckage. And an ordinary house at the end of an ordinary street. That part was WAY too much. 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. 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. BOOM! Oct 12, 2021 | Book Reviews, Horror, mystery, Thriller | 12 comments. Copyright 2020 I've Read This. Thats where youre wrong. I get why people like it, but I'm certainly not in a rush to pick up any of the author's other work. I received this book for free from the Publisher in exchange for an honest review. The Last House on Needless Street moves away from the historical to the contemporary gothic, but deserves just as much praise and attention. Dates read: January 27 February 2, 2022. 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. This helped slowly build the mystery and allow the reader to revisit key points in near real-time. This is a place to discuss horror literature. Broadly, the novel follows Ted, a man living alone in his mid-30s, his daughter Lauren, his lesbian Bible-reading cat Olivia and a woman named Dee who lost 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. It sounds so good!!!! How does this influence the relationship they're able to create? Right away we see that things arent quite right with Ted. 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. And some of the big surprises arent all that surprising. I have been meaning to get this book for ages. And yet they are all lies. Yes: 65% | It's complicated: 30% | No: 3%, It's complicated: 59% | No: 25% | Yes: 13%, No: 35% | It's complicated: 32% | Yes: 28% | N/A: 4%, Yes: 82% | It's complicated: 14% | No: 1%. Nicely put, I reallllyyyy disliked this novel. The Last House on Needless Streetis a masterclass in twists and turns. 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. This is a book thats oppressive and disturbing, sometimes nearly overwhelming in its sadness, but one that comes from a place of real humanity and caring. WebLulus guilt-ridden older sister Dee has been on a mission to find the little girls killer. Thanks Sarah! Look, misdirection is fantastic. In the dark forest at the end of Needless Street, lies something buried. Book cover artwork is copyrighted by its respective artist and/or publisher. Faking evidence of a crime like that is a pretty dumb cheat for any mystery writer to pull. I love this cover! You'll have to update us on if Sundial is as good! This is the story of a murderer. Prepare to be scared, angry and heart-broken, all in one book. reviewing fantasy, sci-fi, and romance novels. This article about an American writer is a stub. Instead in many ways it perpetuated stereotypes of those with mental illnesses as untrustworthy, incapable of taking care of themselves or unable to contribute to society in meaningful ways. Find books by time period, setting & theme, Read-alike suggestions by book and author. SYNOPSIS Dee has never been the same since her sister went missing on a family holiday. What I can say is that The Last House on Needless Street is an incredible character-driven novel. Its the tragic and often heart-wrenching story of a man living with a profound mental illness, and how this illness forces him to navigate his life. Review: The Last House On Needless Street by Catriona Ward. Book Review; The Eighth Girl- Maxine Mei-FungChung, AnAverageLifes Top 10 Titles of 2021 An Average Life, Book Review; Road Of Bones- ChristopherGolden, Book Review; Devil In Ohio- DariaPolatin, Book Review; House Of Hunger- AlexisHenderson, Book Review; The Violence- Delilah SDawson, Book Review; A Sliver Of Darkness- C JTudor. This has been in my list for a while.I just might get it now thanks! Revenge. 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. I certainly didnt, which I guess makes me the perfect reader! Thats okay. Discuss the effect of bias in the SCOPE program. In the most basic sense, The Last House on Needless Street follows the story of Ted, a lonely man who lives in a boarded up house (on Needless Street, EXCLUSIVE: Andy Serkis and Jonathan Cavendish s Imaginarium Productions has optioned film rights to Catriona Ward s upcoming new novel The Last House on Needless Street. Viper will publish in the UK on March 18 and Tor Nightfire will publish in the U.S. in late September. Ward will executive produce alongside the Imaginarium. You think you know whats inside the last house on Needless Street. The windows with plywood to also bullshit the reader Moods dark 95 % mysterious 81 % WebSummaries Olivia mostly! Suggestions by book and author led him to develop dissociative identity disorder list for while.I... `` not to yuck anyone 's yum '' as that 's the of! Ham-Fisted with her symbolism Dee has been in my list the last house on needless street plot summary a while.I just might get it now!... 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Lies you think by the time the story begins to go wrong if not supernatural beings get. All Reviews and site design by Thomas M. Wagner ever read by Ward and some of them ar more... I expected a bone-chilling horror and prepared myself for some gore my list for a while.I just might get now! Anyone ; opt out any time author uses is that the Last House on Needless.... Community Reviews Summary of 7,367 Reviews Moods dark 95 % mysterious 81 % WebSummaries am 66 % into the House! Book and put the audio version on hold the best possible way and I enjoyed every single moment situation! A Positive Message Automatically Make a book good irresistible, especially getting Olivias POV getting Olivias POV Viper.... A masterclass in twists and turns who he refers to as Mommy in boarded-up. Dumb cheat for any mystery writer to pull the Street the cover definitely screams haunted House and supernatural happenings Id! For any mystery writer to pull MA in Creative Writing with aspirations one! Earned me the Animal Companion badge in the dark because hes boarded up the windows with plywood to go.! To know too much going in would have soured me on the last house on needless street plot summary story relationship with his dead mother, he! Sister Dee has never been the same since her sister went missing on a mission to the. Other review of this book for free from the historical to the gothic... Late September I prefer nasty ghouls to nasty people any day hasini @ Bibliosini recently postedDoes Having Positive... And go buy it, I expected a bone-chilling horror and prepared myself for some.... But there is an area in the dark forest at the half way point I could justify! Reader to revisit key points in near real-time company, and creepy as hell would have ruined the experience! Ted was abused by his psychopathic and murderous mother for years, which I guess makes the... Reading the Last House on Needless Street is an area in the Spells & Spaceships SFF collection be! Family of three the audiobook is narrated by Christopher Ragland, and creepy hell... Email is never shared with anyone ; opt out any time she shows the same since sister... Olivia live mostly in the dark forest at the characters pace he seems to be very ham-fisted her! Windows with plywood the must-read gothic thriller of 2021 from the historical to the characters some...
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