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    The House at the End of Hope Street
    The House at the End of Hope Street
    The House at the End of Hope Street
    Audiobook9 hours

    The House at the End of Hope Street

    Written by Menna van Praag

    Narrated by Elizabeth Sastre

    4/5

    ()

    About this audiobook

    Distraught that her academic career has stalled, Alba is walking through her hometown of Cambridge, England, when she finds herself in front of a house she's never seen before, 11 Hope Street. A beautiful older woman named Peggy greets her and invites her to stay, on the house's usual conditions: she has ninety-nine nights to turn her life around. With nothing left to lose, Alba takes a chance and moves in. She soon discovers that this is no ordinary house. Past residents have included Virginia Woolf and Dorothy Parker, who, after receiving the assistance they needed, hung around to help newcomers-literally, in talking portraits on the wall. As she escapes into this new world, Alba begins a journey that will heal her wounds-and maybe even save her life
    LanguageEnglish
    PublisherRecorded Books, Inc.
    Release dateMay 10, 2013
    ISBN9781470347291
    The House at the End of Hope Street
    Author

    Menna van Praag

    Menna van Praag was born in Cambridge, England and studied Modern History at Oxford University. Her first novella - an autobiographical tale about a waitress who aspires to be a writer - Men, Money & Chocolate has been translated into 26 languages. Her magical realism novels are all set among the colleges, cafes, and bookshops of Cambridge.

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    Reviews for The House at the End of Hope Street

    4/5

    148 ratings33 reviews

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    • 3/5
      The story of a young woman at a loss. She ends up a guest at the house at the end of Hope street. This is not just an ordinary house; it is a magical one. Here lost souls find their way, meet former residents (from long, long ago) who were helped there and whose names are known to all. An intriguing idea, sparsely told.
    • 2/5
      Potential. Some parts were intriguing and enjoyable to read. Sometimes the characters showed interesting characteristics. Then they would be cliche, two dimensional, and predictable. The idea of the house and famous female pictures talking is Harry Potter-esque in a great way. But the American ending and lack of depth beyond the house prevents it from being great. It could be YA except for the sex.
    • 5/5
      This book didn't pull at my heart strings and twist them as so many of my favorite books do. No, this book pulled at my heart strings and made me feel warm and good inside. This has to be one of my most favorite book so far this year. I melted as I read it. The author's writing is beautiful, and I was caught up in the magic of the house, a house that is very much a character itself. To cavort with the ghosts of so many famous and admirable women! This book was a dream.

      The house at 11 Hope Street cannot be seen by everyone who visits Cambridge. That's why Alba never noticed it before. With nowhere else to go and nothing else to lose, Alba makes her home there at the invitation of Peggy Abbot, the house's caretaker. The walls are covered with photos of past residents, each with advice to share should the present residents be willing to listen.

      Alba has a sixth sense for things and can see sounds as well as ghosts. Sounds come to her in colors, depending on their mood and intent. I took to Alba instantly. She is like the black sheep in her family, never quite measuring up to their expectations. This even in spite of Alba graduating and pursuing her doctorate at so young an age. Her mother, whom she loves dearly, is a mystery to her, lost in a depression Alba doesn't quite understand. As the story goes, we learn more about Alba and her past as well as the secret from the present that is haunting her. A secret that drew her to the house on Hope Street in the first place. It is a story that is heartbreaking and at times cruel.

      Peggy is 82 years old and has been the caretaker of the house for most of her life. She gave up her life to take care of the house and the women who came to stay there. She made the ultimate sacrifice. The house has made it clear that her service is coming to an end, and Peggy feels a myriad of emotions.

      Alba and Peggy are not the only residents of 11 Hope Street. There are two other women, including a struggling actress, Greer, who has lost her way and Carmen, who is running from her dark past. All of the women in the house are troubled and seeking answers to their situations, hoping the house will help them find peace and heal old wounds.

      I loved the way Menna van Praag wove these women's stories together, each one separate and yet each one tied to the house. I also really liked how music and words played such a big part in all the character's stories, particularly Alba and Carmen's. This added to the beauty--and magic--of the novel.

      As an added bonus, the author included a list of the famous women who once visited 11 Hope Street, including little blurbs about their lives. This only adds to the strength of the novel.

      The House at the End of Hope Street wears its namesake well. It is full of hope--and charming too. The women of the house have very real problems, and while I suppose one might think the solutions come too easily at times, well, that's just the kind of book it is. I loved every minute of it. This is one of those books that left me smiling at the end--and still has me smiling now.

      Source: Copy of book provided by publisher via NetGalley
    • 4/5
      A whimsical tale ♡
    • 2/5
      For many women throughout history when hope dimmed, a house which looks "like a Victorian orphanage" appears at the end of Hope Street appears to provide sanctuary. This magical realism novel is about three women who have found themselves at the end of their respective ropes. Alba academic career has been derailed when a idolized university professor and mentor betrays her trust. Carmen, a sensual Hispanic singer, is running away from a traumatic family secret. Greer, a talented actress, is unfulfilled failing to entertain a vocation that would be more satisfying. Each woman is live live in the home rent free for 99 days. Objects materialize within the house out of thin air, items which each woman needs for inspiration. Alba, gifted with second sight, receive advice from the spirit of former residents.If you are a fan of the magical realism of Sarah Addison Adams, the reader might enjoy this book. For me, I believe Ms. Adams is a better writer. Magical realism is to be more subtle. This book might have been considered more paranormal. I found the story line too busy. It might have been better to limit the residents to only Alba as the primary character. Back stories were not clearing delineated so I times I would lose my way within the prose.
    • 4/5
      While this did have a few flaws and the end felt quite rushed I really enjoyed this read. It played nicely with my assumptions and at the the same time introduced me to one of those fictional houses I'd love to visit. There is a shadow of paranormal on the story that I also enjoyed.The House at the end of Hope Street is a refuge, a place you will find if you need it and you can stay for 99 days and see if you can find a way to turn your life around. Peggy is the woman in charge and she is 82 at the beginning of the story, celebrating her birthday, dealing with a message from the house about her mortality. There are two other residents in the house, Greta and Carmen along with the ghosts of some of the former residents and a lot of soul searching goes on.Quite a life-affirming story, with a variety of romances that are quite satisfying.
    • 5/5
      I think my first experience reading about a house that was 'alive' might have been A Discovery of Witches; it was the first one to make an impression, anyway, and I was thoroughly charmed by the idea. The House at the End of Hope Street makes the house a central character, and I just ate it up. I love the house and Mog. Alba is a child prodigy working on her PhD in modern history at Cambridge, at the age of 19, when personal disaster strikes and with no where to go, she finds herself at 11 Hope Street, being welcomed in by Peggy, the mistress of the house. As Peggy and the house welcome her, she's told she can stay for 99 nights, no strings attached, so that she might find her way again. Also staying in the house are Greer, an actress looking at the end of her career, and Carmen, directionless, broken and needing to hide from the world. I think I liked this book better than The Dress Shop of Dreams by just a smidgen; the characters felt more tightly tied to the plot and their stories felt stronger. Alba is a bit too preciously fragile at the beginning but the author does such a good job of weaving her storyline that I bought it; I never wanted to smack her or shake her. Van Praag managed to get me with a twist in Alba's story, but that's probably got as much to do with my own special brand of obliviousness as it does with her writing talent (all due respect). If magical realism appeals, I'd definitely recommend giving this book a go; it's not perfect, but it's really good.
    • 2/5
      Alba Ashby has lived her entire life in a container, never allowing herself to stray from the ultimate goal of living up to the Ashby name and completing her PhD in history. When events conspire to derail her plans, she finds herself in a mysterious house owned by the landlady Peggy, who informs her that the house at the end of Hope Street will allow her to stay for 99 days: just enough time to get her life back on track, but not enough time to linger. With the other residents of the house, a forty-year-old actress named Greer, and a sensual singer named Carmen, Alba uncovers secrets and finds herself with the help of the house itself and its past residents.

      While the concept itself is intriguing, this book failed to impress me overmuch. The writing often felt clunky and awkward. The beginning strives to be a fairy tale, but never quite builds the atmosphere. The perspective changes so often that it never allows the tension to build up satisfactorily. And I can't help but think of the old maxim, "Show, don't tell": the characterization is mostly flat because we are simply told what the characters are feeling, rather than the author allowing the reader to work it out themselves. Even the secondary characters are flat, particularly a cad named Blake, who routinely breaks women's hearts because his mother abandoned him as a child. It's... overwhelmingly trite, and so textbook that it's hard to take him seriously even as a plot device, much less a character.

      That said, the parts that do work are charming. Part of what initially drew me to this book was the references to literature and famous women, and these did not disappoint. Imagine talking to photographs of bold, famous women like Dorothy Parker and Vivien Leigh, having them as professional counselors, life coaches, and agony aunts. Alba's story also took a surprising turn that I was pleased was not ruined by the summary (as summaries so often like to do), and overall, there is a lot to admire in the book.

      The ending did pull it together somewhat, but the writing was still too jarring, and the characterization too flat, for me to fall in love completely with the story.
    • 5/5
      I absolutely loved this book. The author employs "magical realism" but I like that not everything turned out "perfect" for the characters involved, just like real life. It is brimming with optimism and a charge for self actualization, yet sprinkled with compassion and true insight into the human dilemma. Highly recommended!
    • 4/5
      The House at the End of Hope Street is a novel about a magical house that shelters women in need for a set number of days. Even better, the women who have benefited from the house’s healing in the past, many of which became famous for their accomplishments, linger in portraits that litter the walls doling out encouragement to the current denizens. Benevolent spirits of house guardians past provide the women with whatever they need to nourish their souls and pick themselves up for a new start during their hundred day stays. During the time of the book, the three women in need are Greer, a failed actress looking for a new path; Carmen, a talented singer fleeing from an abusive husband; and Alba, a humiliated ex-scholar from a dysfunctional family of scholars whose secrets threaten to overwhelm her. Each finds refuge in the house with Peggy, the aged house guardian, getting guidance from the photos on the wall, and in Alba’s case, the spirit who lives in the kitchen.I think I’m in the minority when I say that I really didn’t like this book as much as I expected to like it. For my part, I was entranced by the house and its guardian, but the three women in need of the house’s aid failed to captivate me. By and large, I don’t mind when a narrative switches focus among a few characters, in this case, however, I think the tactic does a disservice to the characters. The pace of The House at the End of Hope Street felt off to me. Van Praag bounces too quickly between characters not giving readers quite enough time to settle in with one and feel sympathy for her before veering off to the next. Despite the fact that van Praag spends a good amount of time developing each of her characters, the brevity of the time we spend with each seems to undercut that and create a story that feels somehow shallower than what I'd hoped for.There are some truly heartwarming moments lurking inside The House as van Praag’s characters negotiate their respective paths to self-discovery. The House as a character unto itself is ripe with fun discoveries. In the end, though, the awkward pacing held me at a distance and kept me from falling head over heels for this one.
    • 4/5
      Quirky, but a fun read. Her next novel looks just as good, can't wait to get it and read it also!
    • 4/5
      A delightful novel which contains ghosts and talking pictures, but is really about telling the truth and owning our own lives.
    • 4/5
      Did not expect to like this book as much as I did. When I started the first chapter, I sighed and I thought, "ooooh. Magic realism."

      But guess what? It was good magic realism!

      At time it bordered on cliche but it always saved itself. The quality of the writing was easily its biggest saving grace - well-done, creative, sometimes artistic, but almost never over the top.

      I've seen a few reviews saying that the book wrapped up everything too neatly, but the book accounted for that. It was the whole purpose of the house. It's not weird that all of the characters were artistic and has huge callings they needed to discover and nurture - those are exactly the types of people the house calls to it.

      And definitely a hopeful book. A good read for when you feel as though you are nearing the end of Hope Street yourself.
    • 3/5
      The House at the end of Hope Street is an interesting combination of fantasy, contemporary, historical, & paranormal fiction. It is a unique story of different individual's lives...Lives usually despairing who obliviously find them selves on Hope Street.I won this through an Early Reviewer Program The Library Thing conducts each month. It is not recommended for seventeen year old or younger. There are a few "F" bombs, some sexual situations -although not explicit - and has subject matters not appropriate for the younger generations.I was surprised when I learned the author lives with a son and a husband. Throughout the story I felt an undercurrent of hostility toward men and the marriage institution.As with many books in this generation, love is shamefully mistaken by sexual attraction. Yes, that attraction must be there to develop a strong marriage and commitment, but it is often backwards. AFTER one falls in love, that bond can be strengthened - after marriage commitment is solemnized - with the intimate sexual act.The writing was done quite well. The characters were well-defined and realistic. Surrounding scene images were clearly depicted. There were even moments of clever humor. The Title was well assigned but the book cover is lacking in accuracy in regards to the storyline.My review of this book offers a Three Stars rating. I was gifted this book in exchange for an honest review, of which I have given
    • 2/5
      I don't normally read what I consider chick-lit, and I guess I should have known from the name of the book that The House at the End of Hope Street was just that. The language is pretty, and the choice of present tense is interesting, so the reading is easy, if you will. There are several characters that could be considered main characters, and three of them have a complete story arc, overcoming the one thing that impedes them. However, these, and the stories of others that seem rather half-baked, failed to engage me much. Characters' lives either seemed overly melodramatic (which is not unbelievable, I suppose,since ether are women who have all ran out of hope) or inexplicable (that someone who started learning piano as an adult is good enough to play it well within a year without having practiced much). The suspension of disbelief is not just an effort the reader has to make, but it is something that should be supported fully by the story and plot, neither of which fulfill this duty sufficiently. Other things, like the notes from the house and the famous or important historical female characters hanging on the walls seem gimmicky without adding much to the story, and at times, they are just used as quick plot fixes. Perhaps what I didn't like most is the life lesson that is harped on and on by the story, the house, the housekeeper, and the women (past residents, that is): you have to do what you love to do, and then everything will be alright. Oh, and, if you have never lived life, you cannot write about it. I find both of these cliched, and well, wrong. The latter assumes living life is falling in love, going out there, going wild, losing your inhibitions, while those who have not experienced these have certainly experienced other things, which they can draw upon to write. (At some point this gets revised as "you can't write a love song, if you have never been in love." Fair enough, maybe not.) The former is an outdated model of life that does not really apply in the 21st century, where doing what you love for a living is very difficult, in that most things worth loving do not pay very well (for example, writing!) I also do not agree that there is some job out there for everyone, one that they will love, blah blah. Given the choice, I think most people would be happier not working for a wage under the rule of some jerk, but be rich enough just to do whatever they want. So this idea that if only you found your heart's true calling (whatever that means) is a bit too naive in my opinion. (And easy for those who have been lucky enough to make it in something like writing books to preach to others.) In that sense, the book feels like a self-help book, and this is not a bad thing, because I cannot say that the marketing is dishonest here: it is clear from the description that these women have lost hope and the visit to the house is suppose to help them get back on their feet.Nevertheless, the story of Alba, as well as some other story lines, is worth several Latin American soap operas, which makes it an entertaining read at times. I almost expected someone to get hit by a car, become blind as a result, and then get hit by another car to gain their eyesight back (a common "plot" element used in old Turkish films… always amusing!) It is also good to read someone who is not afraid to actually write about people who read books, people who love books, and just books. Recommended for those who are looking for a light, easy summer read that dabbles in serious matters superficially and has a happy ending for everyone.Thanks to GoodReads First Reads for a free copy of the book.
    • 4/5
      I won a copy of The House at the End of Hope Street in a Goodreads giveaway. The following is my own, honest opinion. Although this particular contest ended in mid-April, I did not receive my copy until June 13th. I was disappointed with how long it took to receive the book, but for me it did not disappoint. The house itself fascinates me--more than the book's human characters, and they certainly had their quirks. I found the book interesting enough that I really wanted to keep reading to find out what happened with each character. If you like a little magic and some fun along with some fairly inspirational content, I think it's well worth your time to give this book a try. My thanks to Goodreads, the author, Menna van Praag and her publisher for the opportunity. I will probably be checking out more of this author's work in the near future.
    • 4/5
      This is one of those books I would never have discovered without browsing at a bookstore. I picked it up because it was about books and authors. I suppose one could call it chick lit, but it has serious things to say to anyone about getting on with life. The House is the main character - and that makes it fantasy or maybe a fairy tale as another reviewer called it. The portraits of the women, some of whom are famous historical women, speak to the temporary residents who are given 99 nights to pull themselves together. I don't want to give away too much except to say that it does seem dark at times. You find yourself hoping things work out for the four women living in the House. Journeys of discovery are not easy or straightforward.I am very glad I impulse bought this little book.
    • 5/5
      I'm a part-time bookseller, and I can admit that I did a little Snoopy dance when I sold this book to someone who came in the store last week. She approached the desk, looking for it, and I swooped her up and surrounded her in enthusiastic cooing until she left the store with the book in her hand. It was a GOOD book. A book you hope other people will read. A feel-good, intelligent feminist fairy tale complete with characters straight out of the pages of history. A good, good book that I will, hopefully, share with my daughter someday. Alba is a lost and confused young lady, exiled from academia and estranged from her brothers and sisters, the only, (albeit - awful) family she has ever known. She finds unexpected refuge at a house, the house at the end of Hope Street, where she is invited to stay for a period of no longer than ninety-nine nights. She is not the first woman to find herself there, devoid of confidence and worn down by the world. In fact, she is in the company of two other current residents, an aspiring actress, Greer, and battered woman with a beautiful voice, Carmen. But more than that, she is one in a long number of powerful, courageous, talented women who all sought shelter withing the magical walls of 11 Hope Street. These women, like Virginia Wolfe, Beatrix Potter, Florence Nightengale, speak to current residents from their pictures on the wall (Harry Potter, anyone?) and offer inspiration and, you guessed it, HOPE. It is a magical, beautifully moving piece of literary fiction that encourages women to hold onto hope while embracing their natural talent. It celebrates the women who have come before while urging others of our generation to keep striving towards greatness. I got utterly lost in the pages of this book, and I've found myself on more than one occasion, wishing for my chance at 99 nights at Hope Street. Instant recommend. A re-read for the future.
    • 5/5
      The House at the End of Hope Street is a delightfully enchanting tale that may have readers wishing they could find the house and live there themselves.But they won’t be able to find it unless they need it. That’s how this magical house works. For more than 200 years the house has beckoned women who need its comfort, encouragement and insight to work out problems in their lives. And, yes, the house is a living entity that “laughs,” “applauds” and “hugs” in unique and sometimes funny ways.Over the years thousands of women – including Florence Nightingale, Vivien Leigh, Daphne DeMaurier and Elizabeth Taylor – have spent time at the house and still talk to the current residents through their pictures that hang on the walls. One of my favorite living person/not-living-person encounters includes Beatrix Potter who, apparently, can’t keep a secret.Peggy Abbott is the current landlady, a job that has been in her family for generations. When the quirky, cream-loving octogenarian gets a note from the house on her 82nd birthday telling her this will be her last birthday so she needs to find a replacement for herself, she frets at first. But eventually she concentrates on her gentleman friend Harry, with whom she still has good sex on their Sunday dates, and wonders if she has thrown her life away by running the house instead of running away with him.The three women staying at the house are college student Alba, struggling actress Greer and waitress/singer Carmen. They all have secrets gnawing at them, and keeping them from moving forward with their lives. Alba, with the help of Stella, the ghost who tells her she’s been waiting for her, grows the most during the story. Not only does she have secrets, secrets are being kept from her as well. When her family comes together for a sad event, and some of those secrets are revealed, Alba goes on a quest to find out who she is – both literally and figuratively. Not an easy quest for a girl who would rather be surrounded by books than people.Greer and Carmen both have issues that are holding them back and keeping them from reaching their potential but, through the help of the house, they are able to overcome to those issues.Some of Van Praag's imagery is breathtaking. For example, she describes a person's laugh as a mixture of sunshine and champagne.I read a review in which the reviewer seemed disappointed that all the characters got what they wanted or needed at the end of the story. Personally, I don’t see anything wrong with everyone getting a happy ending. The house is on Hope Street, after all.I received this book from NetGalley.com in exchange for an honest review.
    • 5/5
      Set in Cambridge, women who have no hope find their way to the house on Hope Street, where they have 99 days to change their lives before they have to move out. Many famous women have previously found their way to Hope street (e.g. Agatha Christi, Florence Nightengale, and Sylvia Plath) and they hang around on the walls to offer advice. Currently, there are three residents - Alba, Carmen, and Greer - and the house Mother Peggy. We read their stories and their lives becoming intertwined. This was a magical book. I loved all of the characters and their stories. Highly recommended.
    • 4/5
      Alba Ashby, 19, has just suffered a horrible and hurtful humiliation, and finds herself inexplicably drawn to a magical looking house on the end of Hope Street in Cambridge, England. She is greeted by Peggy Abbot, a beautiful and prescient woman of 82, who welcomes her, identifying the house as one women come to when they have run out of hope. Peggy offers to let Alba stay in the house for ninety-nine nights, rent free, and then she must go. Alba loves the house, thinking of it as the home she used to dream of as an unloved little girl:"Somewhere soft and loving, where the walls breathe, the garden hides your secrets, the inhabitants life your spirits and the kitchen soothes your soul.”Although there have been many women using the house over the years (and their portraits adorn the walls), right now there are only two other women in residence besides Alba and Peggy (the House Mistress). Carmen Viera, about 30, is tall and voluptuous, but Alba (who has a bit of second sight herself) can see that underneath Carmen’s beautiful exterior, she is bruised and scarred. Greer, 39, has been dumped by her fiancé for a younger woman and is in a career slump. Even Peggy is always protesting a bit too loudly that the house is all she needs. None of the four of them will admit what it is they really want from life.As everyone gets to know one another, their secrets gradually unfold, and as the days progress, the women finally get the courage to take control of their own destinies.Evaluation: Imagine one of those women’s romance books about various strangers meeting at a cooking school or on an airplane, throw in serendipitous interactions and magical realism, and you have the plot of this whimsical book. This is a charming, feel-good story, which all of us need from time to time!
    • 4/5
      Mystical, captivating and a modern fairy tale, The House at the End of Hope Street plays on all of the senses, especially visual and olfactory, with smells and colors dominating the landscape. Fans of women’s literature and women’s studies, will delight in the literary and historical inhabitants of the house. The stories of the well-crafted characters explore family dynamics, empowerment, sexuality, friendship, and love with a hint of mystery. The house is the primary character as it lives and breathes and offers hope to women in need. While not recommended for the more conservative reader due to sexual frankness and language, this book is a good addition to women’s fiction. I particularly appreciated the guide at the end that explained the women’s portraits in the house. I’m inspired to explore them further, and I’ve added Rebecca by Du Maurier to my reading list.Quotes:“After more than a thousand stories in sixty-one years, she never fails to get excited at the prospect of a new one” (p. 7).“It is the home she dreamed of as a little girl. Somewhere soft and loving, where the walls breathe, the garden hides your secrets, the inhabitants lift your spirits and the kitchen soothes your soul” (p. 48).“There is no going back in life. No return. No second chance. When you waste your days, they are wasted forever. So be honest about the things you really want, and do them, no matter how fearful you might be” (p. 90).“It takes great courage and determination, to keep looking for light in all the darkness of life” (p. 158).In accordance with FTC guidelines, please note I received a free copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
    • 4/5
      What a fun book!! Magical, educational, thought-provoking. This book is populated with so many great (and a few not-so-great) characters. Carmen, Greer, and Alba each come to the house with their own life-shattering problems. Peggy and the house are there to help them pick up the pieces. I don't want to give anything away because this is such a fun read. The interactions between Peggy, the house, the photographs on the walls, and the three residents are wonderful to read.
    • 5/5
      What a wonderful book! This is one that I will read again. Alba's story is my favorite, but Peggy, Carmen and Greer are also well-developed and lovable characters. The house itself plays an integral part in the lives of all the women who come to Hope Street, and its magic aids them on their journeys of self-discovery. The author has chosen a wonderful mix of famous authors, suffragettes, actresses and artists who have visited the house in the past as advisers to the present inhabitants.
    • 4/5
      This novel about lost women is the perfect book to get lost in. The literary references are fun, as in getting to know the current residents of the house at the end of Hope Street. The story meandered with a fluidity that shouldn't have worked as well as it did. This is a wonderful example of magical realism.
    • 5/5
      I just read this for the Book Club I belong to. What a great selection. Not too heavy on the "magical" aspect but a quick read with many characters to enjoy. I especially loved all the literary and historical figures that are influential. Highly recommend.
    • 4/5
      Another unusual pick for me - they seem to come in cycles. In this novel a young woman, Alba finds herself running from the worst event in her life - no spoilers here - and she finds herself in front of a house that seems to call to her. This is the House at the End of Hope Street and it's a house that has stood for centuries; visible only to the women who need it. Inside is Peggy, the current resident who explains to Alba that the house will welcome her and give her not necessarily what she wants but most definitely what she needs. She can stay for 99 nights and only 99 nights to get her life turned around. While inside Alba sees photos of past residents that include many famous women.This is the type of book where you just have to let your imagination take the lead; if you let reality try to rule you will lose the magic of the tale. I noted in some reviews of it the phrase "magical realism" - what exactly that means I have no clue but there is something comforting in a house that meets your immediate wants while directing you to exactly what you need the most whether you know what that is at the time or not.I found myself lost in the story despite Alba's mystifying personality. She was such a little dormouse. I appreciate she had a very bad family but it was almost as if she were as much a disappearing set piece as the house - until she is not. Ms. van Praag's writing kept me quite enthralled despite some cardboard characters and Alba's meekness. This is another book that is worthy of a second read despite my 4 star rating. I did enjoy it.
    • 4/5
      The house on Hope Street in Cambridge, England, is a magical house where women have gone for centuries. They go there to escape, for advice and to find hope for their future. Of those who have stayed in the house, you will find many well-known literary figures who continue to offer advice through their portraits. You see, this isn't an ordinary house, it is a magical house. One that the average person can't see. Just those who need the house. In this story, Alba, Greer, and Carmen come for healing and hopefully, new beginnings. Through their story, those of many others will also be told. What initially drew me to this novel was the cover. I love the colors and the whimsical feel it gave to the story. But, I wasn't sure I was going to fall in love with the idea of talking portraits, a house no one but the residents could see, and long-dead ghosts talking to the living. Even though this isn't usually my type of book, I was quickly drawn in to the characters and their struggles that brought them to the house in the first place.The author is very careful in her storytelling, not giving too much away too early, so that you are eager to keep reading and find out what is going to happen next. Alba, Greer, and Carmen all have different "ghosts" to heal and each one is revealed in their own way and their own time. Peggy, the landlord, is the one who continues to encourage the women in their stay at the house. After just 99 days, the women must leave - forcing them to focus on planning their next step rather than hiding out in their room. Even though Peggy has lived in the house for years, she too must come to grips with her own past and how to move forward.My favorite lesson from the book came from the portrait of Daphne du Maurier, the author of the famous novel, REBECCA. Her lesson to Alba was quite fitting for all of us:" There is no going back in life. No return. No second chance. When you waste your days, they are wasted forever. So be honest about the things you really want, and do them, no matter how fearful you might be." Page 90There are many issues in this book that would make it an excellent book club choice and there are questions available as well. Some of the topics that you could discuss include family relationships, domestic violence, love, mental illness, forgiveness, and magic.Aside from the magic of the house, Alba also has special abilities that include seeing colors that express the true emotions of those who she is interacting with. This was also very interesting and gave me a new perspective into how I express myself with my body language and imagining the colors that would be floating around me.Even though this book is magical, there is very much that is real. The emotions and problems the women in the story are facing, the lessons given and received, and the loved that is shared will all stir up your own feelings of anger, sadness, and hope. After reading this book, you may even wish you had a House on Hope Street in your neighborhood that you could run to. But, even if you don't, remember that what ever it is that you think is the worst that could ever happen, you may just find it was the best thing that has ever happened to you.
    • 4/5
      Alba Ashby, after suffering a humiliating defeat, arrives unexpectedly at the house at the end of Hope Street and finds a way to heal. I don't think I'm giving too much away. You knew this, didn't you? It is why you sought out this book, I think. You certainly wouldn't read this book if you discovered in the first sentence of this review that Alba found only more misery and more defeat at his home. So, it's that is what you are seeking, then I will reassure you that it will be found here. Hope. Optimism. Healing.
    • 3/5
      **I received an advanced copy of this book in exchange for a review**I didn't love the book or the characters. The story line was promising and did come together at the end of the book but it didn't have as much substance to it as I would have liked. I know the book was supposed to have the impression of an adult fairy tale but when there are literally cartoon characters engaging in sex acts (implied but not written in detail) and relationships it puts it a little over the top for me. The use of cliches throughout the book was also overwhelming and gives the sense of a simplistic writing style.I found the main character to be dull and very anti-social; However, after one twist in the story, everything changed and she seemed to completely turn around (in the last 10-15 pages). The dialogue of one of the secondary characters, and an inhabitant of the house, left something to be desired. Her speech was written in such a way that it was supposed to imply an accent and English as her second language but it didn't come across that way in the writing. Instead, it made her seem as though she was of less than average intelligence and a bit child-like.Overall, the story line was there even though I felt it was still in the beginning phases. And I have to give credit for the ability to make a (usually) inanimate object a main character in the story. The house itself was the most in-depth character there was.