The House at the End of Hope Street

By: Menna Van Praag

Narrated by: Elizabeth Sastre

Length: 9 hrs and 41 mins

Publisher's summary

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.

©2013 Menna van Praag (P)2013 Recorded Books

So many women, so much talent

While the story was created through bits of fantasy and magic, it held so much real life in it. Women unsure of their lives, hurt and alone. All in need of a little push in the right direction, find themselves at the house on Hope St. And who better to help these women but other women. Ghosts of the past. Authors, actresses, scientists... They're all here in this wonderful tale.

A must read

Beautifully written and beautifully performed I love this book I’m sure I’ll listen to it again. Great character development and fun twists and turns.

Cliched chick lit

Would you recommend this book to a friend? Why or why not?

Not sure if I would recommend this one. It was a little too chick lit for me. I also felt that the ending was just too convenient, everything neatly wrapped up, and a little unsatisfying.

Which character – as performed by Elizabeth Sastre – was your favorite?

My favorite character was Peggy, and I wish there had been more emphasis on her. I got really tired of Alba, she seemed just too wishy-washy to be a solid heroine.Elizabeth Sastre's narration was outstanding. Next time, I hope she has better material to work with.

Unexpected Delightful Surprise

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

Definitely! A lovely combination of women's history and coming of age with some magic thrown in for good measure!

What did you like best about this story?

I. loved the bits of women's history that you can't help to absorb and I always love a sprinkly of magic in everday life!

Which character – as performed by Elizabeth Sastre – was your favorite?

Stella

If you were to make a film of this book, what would the tag line be?

With the help of other women, both here and gone & a little magic nothing is impossible!

So much love for this book!

I had no idea what to expect when I ordered this book. Every paragraph delighted me! It's enchanting and empowering and I'm buying a copy to start loaning to my friends. What a gem of a find!

Good book!

I found this story interesting and magical! The reader was good too! I recommend!!

Not as good as "Dress Shop of Dreams"

I was underwhelmed by this book. The premise is interesting, but I much preferred the more lighthearted approach of Dress Shop of Dreams. I would skip this one.

A Glorious Literary Confection!

This rich and beautiful tale that follows Alba’s journey from despair to self-discovery is a feast for the senses. Populated with compelling characters, House at the End of Hope Street practically invites the reader to sit down at the table and have a soothing cup of hot cocoa with them all. My husband and I were fortunate enough to go to a book signing where the author, Menna Van Praag, actually read the first chapter aloud and she was so brilliant that we were hooked! All of her books were immediately sold, with many people buying multiple copies to give to their friends. But that was all right because I really love listening to something this magical and filled with fantastic word pictures as an audio book, so we got our copy on Audible.

Ms. Van Praag’s imagination is extraordinary and with it she has populated the house with characters that I would like to meet, rooms I would like to visit and an invisible cat I would love to have wind itself around my ankles. One of my favorite storylines was that of the aging Peggy and her lover Harry. After reading and listening to legions of books where love and physical intimacy seems to be reserved only for those in their 20s and early 30s, bravo for creating a reality that gives a whole new perspective on aging and having love and sex, even when one is well seasoned. I wholeheartedly suggest that you buy this book and taste the magic for yourself.

Delightful novel. Artful narration.

Any additional comments?

This wonderful novel is reminiscent of Hoffman's Practical Magic and Livesey's Eva Moves the Furniture. Magical. Tragic. Ultimately uplifting. the notion of a house full of historical and literary women who help lost souls find themselves is an enchanting one. Sastre's reading is dynamic, insightful, and entertaining.

Full of charm and hope

I downloaded this novel on a whim and was surprised to like it as much as I did. It is full of interesting, well written female characters, including, several familiar names from history. The story is quirky and magical, and importantly, full of hope.