The House at the End of Hope Street

Image of The House at the End of Hope Street: A Novel
Author(s): 
Release Date: 
April 4, 2013
Publisher/Imprint: 
Pamela Dorman Books
Pages: 
304
Reviewed by: 

What happens upon reaching the end of the proverbial rope, feeling dejected and hopeless? Can anyone or anything help bring back the confidence? Point to the right path?

An unobtrusive dwelling hides on London’s Hope Street. This residence beckons young Alba Ashby when she is at her lowest. As the youngest post-graduate student at Cambridge University, she gives her all to her academic supervisor. Alba spends hours researching and preparing an article for publication, hoping to achieve kudos—finding only utter betrayal.

She flees from school, wandering aimlessly through the London streets as the house summons her. She does not know what forces have drawn her to the residence, but upon knocking on the door, she is greeted warmly by an elderly woman named Peggy.

Peggy escorts Alba to a warm and inviting kitchen where she prepares a soothing cup of hot chocolate. Understanding and compassionate, Peggy invites Alba to reside in the premises rent free for 99 days—the time limit the residents are allowed to “find themselves.” With nowhere else to go, Alba accepts the offer.

Two other women share the living quarters with Alba and Peggy. The flamboyant Carmen, with secrets and immense pain from long ago; and Greer, who having failed to fulfill her acting dreams, is depressed.

Prior residents at Hope Street have been specifically chosen to live there to turn their lives around. The house offers unique, mystical powers, which prove comforting. The many photographs hanging on the walls are of famous former residents—those of accomplished authors, artists, scientist, mathematicians, etc. Surprisingly, these women speak through their portraits where their spirits have remained to assist newcomers on their various journeys to wholeness.

Each character, along with secondary individuals, offers his or her own distinct and separate “voice” to round out the story, giving it greater substance. The transitions between personalities and tenses are somewhat disconcerting, but as a whole this smidgen of negativity is offset by the largely skillful writing.

The prose is colorful, abounding in simile and metaphor. The research topics included lend gravitas and plausibility.

The House at the End of Hope Street delivers historical fact with a touch of whimsy, while helping to teach lessons about believing in oneself.