Tuesday 24 November 2015

Where's There's Hope

The House at the End of Hope Street - Menna Van Praag




A friend of mine bought me this book because she knew I had been feeling down recently and she thought it would cheer me up.  And she was right. This is a wonderful book and I thoroughly enjoyed reading it.

The House at the End of Hope Street is a mystical sanctuary for women. It can only be seen by people at times when they need it. 

The main occupant of the house is an elderly lady called Peggy who has inherited the house from a long line of women who have magical powers.

On the walls of the house are portraits of past residents – women like Virginia Woolf, Dorothy Parker, Agatha Christie and many more.  The women were all residents in the house at a time when they were experiencing difficulties in their lives. The house helped them solve their problems and their portraits have the ability to talk to the current residents to help them solve their problems.

Three women are the current residents – they are all very different but during their stay they develop a bond of friendship and gradually the house shows them how they can achieve what they really want out of life.


It sounds a bit whacky I know, but I found such a realism in the characters that I was able to suspend my disbelief regarding the more magical elements. Not only was this book a wonderful read but it inspired me to reach out and question what I really want out of my own life. It also made me value my friendships –particularly the person who bought me this book! 

I've never heard of this author before but I will definitely be looking out for more of her books.

3 comments:

  1. That sounds like such a good book and right up my street. I'll check that out - thank you for the recommendation. Hope it helped and that you're not feeling so down now - what a lovely friend to know just the thing :-) xx

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  2. That sounds just the tonic I need right now. So, if you don't mind paying forward your friend's kindness, I'm going to follow in your footsteps and give it a read. Hope you are feeling better. All the best for lovely weeks ahead.

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  3. Thank you both so much. Yes, I'm in a much better place now. Regardless this is such a feel good book that I would recommend it at any time. Hope you enjoy reading.

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