And that is the beauty of this storygetting to the truth is a circuitous and uneven path, one I never grew tired of. 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. 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. 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. 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. [4] Andy Serkis and Jonathan Cavendishs The Imaginarium Productions has optioned film rights to the book. This is one of the books Ive most been looking forward to and your fabulous review has me even more excited! In chapter 2, Ellie says "There are moments in life when you suddenly see your future and it's not at all what you expected." 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. And what exactly is Ted burying when he goes into the woods at night? By using The StoryGraph, you agree to our use of cookies.We use a small number of cookies to provide you with a great experience. When Olivia talks about how much she hates the creepy Russian nesting dolls that sit on the mantlepiece, its almost like a Symbolism Siren goes off. Olivia is in love with an outdoor cat that strolls by the window peephole, and she has an odd relationship with another cat named Night-time. Click here to receive notifications of An Average Life new posts by email. Will stay up far too late to finish a book and can and will talk about them until the cows come home. Growing up in the well-to-do town of Round Hill, North Carolina, Ellie Hockley was raised to be a proper Southern lady. Publisher Profile Books Ltd. Imprint Viper. 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. I was interested before but after reading your review I WANT this book. 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! Honestly, by the time the story reaches these revelations, were so far away from relatable reality that its practically parody. Excellent review. 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. If youve read the novel, you understand that mental illness is the central plot. Revenge. The writing itself was not the problem, it was what the characters were doing to each other, or at least, what we are led to believe they are doing to each other. The reader isnt in the story. 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. awesome review, Tammy. Her family moved a lot and she grew up all over the world, including in the United States, Kenya, Madagascar, Yemen, and Morocco. 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. Dies ist die Geschichte von Ted, der mit seiner Tochter Lauren und der Katze Olivia in einem gewOhn 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. Hell close his eyes in one place and wake up in another. All Rights Reserved. I can hardly wait to read Catriona Wards next book! 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). Now stop reading this and go buy it, I promise you wont regret it. 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. At the end of Needless Street is forest. What do you think is the meaning behind this statement? Article Can you describe a situation where this statement resonated with you? What is the importance of society and "fitting in" for the characters in the 1965 timeline? This is indeed a great weekend read for sure :-). I am excited for this one, also. Clearly this was not the case while it slowly dawned on me that the evil in this book is purely human. This is probably a story best suited in physical form so you can revisit sections as the mystery unfolds. Ellie frequently leads her fellow SCOPE volunteers and supporters in song during protests. 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. There are too many plot contrivances that ask us to be extremely generous with our willing suspension of disbelief, too many supporting characters who seem like exaggerated and even cartoonish caricatures. I love surprises like this if theyre handled well:-), Wow, Tammy. Submitted by users as part of their reviews. 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. A stolen child. by Catriona Ward. Naturally we are encouraged to scratch our chins and think Hmm, Lulu Lauren is there a connection?. Catriona Ward expects us to swallow all of this with complete credulity. 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 Blogging from a Therapists Perspective, Analyzing Horror Through Intersectional Feminism. Whenever she misbehaves, Ted sends her away, leaving the reader with a lot of questions. Yes actually, the cat does get a happy ending! Catriona Ward is an American and British horror novelist. Spam Free: Your email is never shared with anyone; opt out any time. WebThe last book I can think of that I finished (that probably wasnt worth the effort of finishing) was The Last House on Needless Street. 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. 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? Learn how your comment data is processed. Im not generally someone who reads horror, as I tend to suffer from nightmares, but this review sounds really tempting. 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. What do you think? Gotta agree with all of this. All rights reserved. I'm so glad to see another fan of The Last House on Needless Street, though! 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. And an ordinary house at the end of an ordinary street. 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. Lulus guilt-ridden older sister Dee has been on a mission to find the little girls killer. Thats where youre wrong. BOOM! Another fabulous review, Tammy! Look for a review on the blog later this week! Why I Read It: #Bookstagram made me do it. The Last House On Needless Street is available from Amazon, Book Depository, and other good book retailers, like your local bookstore. See below for more (spoiler filled) details on that. Here to talk books, film, mental health and lifestyle. 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. I love this cover! $15 for 3 months. 1965 For both characters, their house represents their grief. At times, you find yourself feeling genuinely sorry for Ted, a man who is obviously a threat to the women around him. Recommended for spooky season, but reader beware! Dee moves into the vacant house next door to Ted and begins to spy on him, convinced that not only was Ted responsible for abducting Lulu, but that Lulu is still alive and being held inside Teds house. What significance does Kayla's house and all of the Shadow Ridge development mean to the town of Round Hill? All these things are true. Press J to jump to the feed. 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? Recently hes been dating and its not gone too well, so hes been extra stressed. WebIn a boarded-up house on a dead-end street at the edge of the wild Washington woods lives a family of three. Any book is up for discussion as long as that discussion is respectful. Synopsis: A communitys past sins rise to the surface when two women, a generation apart, find themselves bound by tragedy and an unsolved, decades-old mystery. 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! It doesnt help that Ward has a tendency to be very ham-fisted with her symbolism. Just the idea of the cat POV has me super curious!!! Additionally, two characterizations didn't sit right with me. 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. So its not like she was aware of us in some meta way and had to protest her innocence. hah. Subscribe to receive some of our best reviews, "beyond the book" articles, book club info and giveaways by email. 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 I dont know if I wish I had DNFd it per se, but the destination definitely was not worth the trip. To know too much going in would have ruined the reading experience for me. This is the story of a murderer. WebI am 66% into The Last House on Needless Street by @Catrionaward & I can honestly say its mind-blowing. And its here that Ward just stops playing fair with her readers. Find books by time period, setting & theme, Read-alike suggestions by book and author. 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. Oct 12, 2021 | Book Reviews, Horror, mystery, Thriller | 12 comments. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review. Napping and reading the Bible happy ending allowed outside, not after Last time place and up! Blog later this week I promise you wont regret it, the cat POV has me curious. Front of his TV, trying to ignore the gaps in his memory: your email is never shared anyone! Think is the importance of society and `` fitting in '' for the in! Dating and its here that Ward just stops playing fair with her.. Its not like she was aware of us in some meta way and had to her. 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