A House Called Awful End

Rating:
Summary: Entertaining New Children's Series
Review: Eddie Dickens is horrified when his beloved Mother and Father catch a disease that not only makes them turn yellow, but also makes them go a bit crinkly around the edges, and smell of old hot-water bottles. Eddie is even more horrified when he finds out that he must go away and stay with relatives - whom he's never met - at their home called Awful End. Soon Eddie finds that these strange relatives of his are indeed just that. Strange. For Mad Uncle Jack and Even Madder Aunt Maud, are absolutely crazy. However, along the way to Awful End, Eddie is plagued wih meeting even more crazy people and strange situations, for he is threatened by a bearded stranger, hypnotized by a handkerchief, and, worst of all, he's mistaken for an escaped orphan from St. Horrid's Home for Grateful Orphans. What more will Eddie have to endure before his parents are cured, and he's able to escape Mad Uncle Jack and Even Madder Aunt Maud?

When I saw the cover of A HOUSE CALLED AWFUL END, I was instantly reminded of one of my favorite series' A SERIES OF UNFORTUNATE EVENTS, and after reading the back cover, I realized that this book sounded a bit like those treasures by Lemony Snicket. However, while A HOUSE CALLED AWFUL END is entirely enjoyable, it's not much like A SERIES OF UNFORTUNATE EVENTS. Eddie, however, is a fun character who will capture the hearts of young readers the world over. Philip Ardagh, like Lemony Snicket, makes the reader sympathize with Eddie throughout all of the tragedies - no matter how funny they seem - that he must endure, helping the reader to identify with him. Overall this was a cute book, complete with nicely drawn illustrations appearing on every few pages.

Erika Sorocco

Rating:
Summary: Wish it weren't so
Review: I had high hopes for this book - in particular trying to find a new series to read to my kids (ages 7 and 8). The problem is that the book is written in that self-indulgent, quirky style that a number of recent British authors (esp. of children's books - e.g. Pure Dead Magic) seem to find cute. Filled with non-sequitors and long asides that don't add much to the storyline, the book did not hold my kids' interest well. I suppose other readers might this writing style interesting, but I think it's a cheap gimmick that takes away from spinning a intriguing yarn that could capture a kid's imagination. What was particularly notable was the difference in the level of interest/attention my kids had for this book in comparison with the one we had finish prior: Charlie and the Chocolate Factory by Roald Dahl - a book that they really enjoyed.

Rating:
Summary: Wish it weren't so
Review: I read this book outloud to my children (boy 8 and girl 10). They loved it. It is just a little on the crazed side. I found that I enjoyed it almost as much as they did. The humour is quirky to say the least. I highly recomend it if you are looking for something to share.

Rating:
Summary: Offbeat and Crazed
Review: I read this book outloud to my children (boy 8 and girl 10). They loved it. It is just a little on the crazed side. I found that I enjoyed it almost as much as they did. The humour is quirky to say the least. I highly recomend it if you are looking for something to share.

Rating:
Summary: A house called auful end
Review: This book is relly good. The book is about a boy named Eddy Dinkins. His mom and dad have a auful desese that make them smell like old hot watter bottels and make them crickly around the edges.

Rating:
Summary: Hilarious and full of Adventure - by: BCE
Review: This story takes place sometime long ago. It is about a child named Eddie and what kind of things he runs into. His parents catch a disease which makes them turn yellow,get crinkly, and smell like old hot water bottles.His parents sent Eddie away to live with his mad uncle and aunt at a home called Awful End. On the way to Awful End, Eddie gets mistaken for a lost orphan. I would give this book four stars for all the hilarious moments. It is a exiting book and very addicting from time to time.