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. Glad you loved it as much as I did :-). 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. All these things are true. 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. I found the sister story confusing and unnecessary and, like you, felt it was contrived having that whole set-up be a lie to begin with. In what ways does the society that the characters were born into impact who they become? Another fabulous review, Tammy! Revenge. And what exactly is Ted burying when he goes into the woods at night? Thanks Sarah! I had no idea what would transpire at the end and when it did WOW! 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. Both Ted and Dee are an absolute wreckage. 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. Now on the anniversary of her disappearance, Dee has tracked down a new lead, and that lead just happens to be Ted. I love surprises like this if theyre handled well:-), Wow, Tammy. Im glad you kept this spoiler-free. Her research took two years, she interviewed people living with the condition, and the back of the book includes a bibliography listing 38 sources. Now, lets talk about the characters and the big reveal. But, its also not what you think when you start reading it, it turns into something totally unexpectedI dont want to give anything away! I was interested before but after reading your review I WANT this book. 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. A teenage girl who isnt allowed outside, not after last time. Hi, I'm Tammy, avid reader, book collector & reviewer of quality fantasy, horror & science fiction. A stolen child. I can hardly wait to read Catriona Wards next book! What really happened inside the freezer chest? How would the story be different if they were just friends? None of them are reliable. It's a true nerve-shredder that keeps its Just the idea of the cat POV has me super curious!!! 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. 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. Additionally, two characterizations didn't sit right with me. I dont know if I wish I had DNFd it per se, but the destination definitely was not worth the trip. Revenge. Sign up to get the download as well as an email sent once a month with links to my latest reviews, information on my online book club, and other bookish announcements. The years passed and so did her parents, but she never gave up the hunt to find the person that took her sister. The characters yes, a talking cat is one of the primary narrators. Known to most as Little Girl with Popsicle, her sister Lulu disappeared and was never seen again. Most reviews of The Last House on Needless Street mention that you cant talk about the plot without giving away its secrets. Beyond the Book| 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. When we then switch into kitten Olivias viewpoint its a jarring change. Recommended for spooky season, but reader beware! Click here to receive notifications of An Average Life new posts by email. Yay! At this point, Ward asks us to believe a chain of events that are frankly incredible. He lives in the last house on Needless Street, right next to the woods. 100-Word (or Less) Synopsis: All is not what it seems on Needless Street. This was the first novel Ive ever read by Ward and her style of writing is absolutely fantastic. I dont normally read horror but this is pretty irresistible, especially getting Olivias POV. And there are even more mysteries to solve: who exactly is the Chihuahua Lady and how is she involved in all this? What is the role of music for the civil rights activists? Theres something weird going on in this book. He does go out, though these excursions usually result in awkward and unpleasant encounters, to put it mildly. 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. 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'll probably re-read this come October or something. After finishing it, I wouldnt describe it as that; its more of a gothic psychological thriller. Olivia thinks she was sent to protect Ted by the LORD (always described in caps like that), and she occasionally knocks Teds Bible off the table in order to read a random Bible verse (if youve ever read the Bible, youll understand how unsettling some of it is). Has this statement ever rung true in your life? Recommended For: Fans of Paul Tremblays A Head Full of Ghosts or similar all-is-not-what-it-seems stories. Ellie frequently leads her fellow SCOPE volunteers and supporters in song during protests. Death. I get why people like it, but I'm certainly not in a rush to pick up any of the author's other work. Wow, that's so awesome to hear you loved it this much and for sure, it's definitely re-readable! At the end, in chapter 52, Ellie admits that she and Reed may have ended up together in another lifetime. Revenge. At this point, Ward asks us to believe a chain of events that are frankly incredible. 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?! Maybe its nothing, or maybe hes visiting his favourite place in the woods. Is it a thriller mystery along the likes of Blake Crouch, or is that wishful thinking on my part??? You may think youve read this story before, but its not what you think Catriona Ward is no stranger to gothic fiction. The Last House on Needless Street by Catriona Ward is the latest novel from the multi-award-winning gothic author. Olivia is Teds cat. 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. However, Catriona Ward has penned something really unique here that booksellers will struggle to find a genre to shelve it under. Gotta agree with all of this. 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. Narrated by Matthias Hofer. 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. The other device the author uses is that she shows the same events from two different perspectives. Imagine my surprise, then, when I finished Catriona Wards twisty and twisted novel and became a believer. This has been in my list for a while.I just might get it now thanks! Reality: A slow-burn mystery with some satisfying last act reveals. Although gothic and dark throughout, theres a surprisingly positive thread that emerges. SYNOPSIS Dee has never been the same since her sister went missing on a family holiday. At times, you find yourself feeling genuinely sorry for Ted, a man who is obviously a threat to the women around him. 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. 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? Then there is Dee, who is also shrouded in mystery. ** This title earned me the Animal Companion badge in the Spells & Spaceships SFF collection! Now she writes novels and short stories, and reviews for various publications. Just $45 for 12 months or This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Second, its the intersection of grief, revenge and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). If you liked this, youll enjoy Behind Her Eyes by Sarah Pinborough. How does this impact each of them? And yet What does it mean for the future of both characters? Press question mark to learn the rest of the keyboard shortcuts. Pages and Tea recently postedBook Review: Later by Stephen King. 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. And yet they are all lies. 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. 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. Yeah, I thought it was awful, I guessed the big twist about 50 pages in. What is the significance of that decision? Synopsis This is the story of a serial killer. The story is told from multiple points of view: Ted, Olivia (yes you heard that right, the cat), DeeTeds new neighbour, and Lauren. Enter your email address to receive notifications of new posts by email. "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. I just dont think that such emotional impact requires abandoning good storytelling logic and realistic characters. Not to yuck anyones yum here, but I did not particularly love The Last House on Needless Street. Why or why not? Any page references refer to a USA edition of the book, usually the trade paperback version, and may vary in other editions. You might have a chapter from Olivias point of view and what shes observing from inside the house, and the next chapter might shift to Dee, who is in the house next door, watching the same event unfold. Stop-starter of all projects great and small. Excellent review. The StoryGraph is an affiliate of the featured links.We earn commission on any purchases made. I read it in an evening and could not put it down. Its like, give me a break! What is the significance of what happens to each house at the end of the novel? Olivia is limited by her understanding as a cat and Dee is ruthlessly single-minded, her life essentially halting with her sisters disappearance and the dissolution of her family. Copyright 2020 I've Read This. He has a black cat named Olivia who isnt allowed outside the house, and a daughter named Lauren. Shes there to make his life better, to make him smile when hes sad and calm him when hes stressed. Being able to read the same situations play out from the perspective of other characters and even cats (yes, cats!) As soon as you think you have it all figured out, there will be one more twist to keep you gripped. This is the twist that has largely propelled the novel to popularity, but I felt his childlike and duplicitous portrayal made it difficult to offer the forgiveness that Ward was going for. Revenge. The cat is one of the narrators yes. Change), You are commenting using your Twitter account. WebSummaries. Could it have been better? 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. The Last House On Needless Street is available from Amazon, Book Depository, and other good book retailers, like your local bookstore. 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! 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. What are the expectations of family, and where do the lines blur between blood relatives and people who simply fulfill familial roles? This novel was hard to put down and ended up being an instant page-turner. This is the story of a serial killer. WebIn a boarded-up house on a dead-end street at the edge of the wild Washington woods lives a family of three. Bestsellers rank 30,480. 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. And an ordinary house at the end of an ordinary street. 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! Create an account to follow your favorite communities and start taking part in conversations. Change). Start a free 30-day trial today and get your first audiobook free. Oct 12, 2021 | Book Reviews, Horror, mystery, Thriller | 12 comments. Ted lives alone behind boarded-up windows, hiding from the prying eyes of his neighbours. It doesnt just get under your skin; it embeds itself there like your first blurry green/black tattoo you had a fifteen (just me?). The main story takes place eleven years after a six-year old girl named Lulu went missing down by the lake. 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%. Lets discuss your favorite reads or listens. Genres & Themes| As I delved deeper into the subconscious of these characters, I found myself horrified by what I found, which is what prompted me to consider abandoning it. 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. It is forbidden to copy anything for publication elsewhere without written permission from the copyright holder. If youve read the novel, you understand that mental illness is the central plot. From the ramshackle houses to the disappearing children, theres something nefarious at foot but is it human or supernatural? However, none of the characters are quite what they appear. Please be aware that this discussion guide will contain spoilers! To say she has mad skills is a massive underestimation here. Jan 2023, 368 pages, Book Reviewed by:Jane McCormack Learn how your comment data is processed. Abused as a child, he has turned mostly into a recluse in his Is Ellie lonely in California? He found her after her mother and siblings all passed away one stormy night. 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. So its not like she was aware of us in some meta way and had to protest her innocence. This is one of my favorite story devices and it works so well here. What role does guilt play in the narrative? Since finishing it, Ive thought about it every single day. I love when I can read a book and I truly not know the direction that it will take. 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 Ultimately, it was. Synopsis An Indie Next Pick! Now stop reading this and go buy it, I promise you wont regret it. You think youve read this story before. $15 for 3 months. While Ward toed that line delicately, a few things still didnt sit right with me. In chapter 21, Kayla finds a letter that her father, Reed, wrote to Jackson, describing their new house as "haunted." Thats where youre wrong. I absolutely loved it, but I guess it could be in part that, as the spouse of a system (person with DID), I really appreciate her final notes on DID. For both characters, their house represents their grief. 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 In this novel, Ward is either so clumsy that all of her intended mysteries are obvious from the get-go, or, as in the case with Dees character, she doesnt misdirect the audience, she simply misleads them. Murder. 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