The Last House On Needless Street

Today’s blog is a book recommendation.

I finished reading The Last House On Needless Street by Catriona Ward yesterday. Ostensibly a horror story, which I would usually avoid like the plague, being the easily spooked fella that I am, I think it should more accurately be labelled a thriller … but one with ridiculous levels of heart and humanity.

It is simply one of the best novels I’ve ever read.

The story telling is wonderful, surprising, compelling, tender and hopeful. And the very difficult subject matter is handled with unbelievable compassion and empathy, gentleness and insight. I’m struggling to find the right superlatives, but it is really is that good.

Sometimes darker subject matter can leave this reader feeling a little bit empty and despairing. Catriona Ward takes an horrific situation and creates a genuine page turner, a real thought provoker, but one that somehow ultimately leaves us feeling optimistic and hopeful.

I can’t recommend it enough, but I don’t want to say anything more about the actual story except to plead you to read.

And feel free to spam me if you hate it. :)

Personally, I’ve got songs brewing somewhere inside.