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A House Called Awful End (Eddie Dickens Trilogy #1)
When both Eddie's parents catch a disease that makes them turn yellow, go a bit crinkly around the edges, and smell of old hot-water bottles, it's agreed he should go and stay with relatives at their house, Awful End. Unfortunately for Eddie, those relatives are Mad Uncle Jack and Even Madder Aunt Maud . . . .
Audio CD, 0 pages
Published
September 16th 2003
by Listening Library
(first published January 1st 2002)
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Wie kommt man nur auf solche Ideen :-) ????
117 Seiten völliger Nonsense, Wortspielereien, Klamauk auf hohem Niveau und dazu noch die genialen Zeichnungen von David Roberts - man bekommt die Mundwinkel gar nicht mehr nach unten. Doch Achtung! Leserinnen und Leser, die ein Mindestmaß an Sinn in einer Geschichte brauchen um diese genießen zu können, sollten die Finger davon lassen. Hier zählt nichts außer der Freude am Erzählen - und zwar völlig sinnfrei.
Die Geschichte ist schnell wiedergegeben: Ed...more
117 Seiten völliger Nonsense, Wortspielereien, Klamauk auf hohem Niveau und dazu noch die genialen Zeichnungen von David Roberts - man bekommt die Mundwinkel gar nicht mehr nach unten. Doch Achtung! Leserinnen und Leser, die ein Mindestmaß an Sinn in einer Geschichte brauchen um diese genießen zu können, sollten die Finger davon lassen. Hier zählt nichts außer der Freude am Erzählen - und zwar völlig sinnfrei.
Die Geschichte ist schnell wiedergegeben: Ed...more
A House Called Awful End, the first book out of three in Philip Ardagh’s
The Eddie Dickens Trilogy tells a fiction story about the humorous misadventures of Eddie Dickens.
Eddie Dickens is put through various misfortunes after his parents Mr. and Mrs. Dickens have catched some strange illness. They become concerned that their disease will infect Eddie and so he is sent away to live at Awful End with his great Mad Uncle Jack and Even Madder Aunt Maud until their sickness has been cured. On Eddie’...more
The Eddie Dickens Trilogy tells a fiction story about the humorous misadventures of Eddie Dickens.
Eddie Dickens is put through various misfortunes after his parents Mr. and Mrs. Dickens have catched some strange illness. They become concerned that their disease will infect Eddie and so he is sent away to live at Awful End with his great Mad Uncle Jack and Even Madder Aunt Maud until their sickness has been cured. On Eddie’...more
Some of my favorite books have been those ostensibly written for children. This charming little story reminds me of some of my favorites. The prose style is reminiscent of A.A. Milne (Winnie the Pooh...) and the characters remind me of those by Roald Dahl (James and the Giant Peach / Matilda / Charlie and the Chocolate Factory...) with a little Charles Dickens thrown into the names and the settings. If you think I mean that as high praise, you’re right.
The story is set in a fictional and sillier...more
The story is set in a fictional and sillier...more
Eddie Dickens’ parents have turned ‘crinkly around the edges’ and their skin has turned ‘yellow’. They are no longer able to take care of him due to their health. He must therefore move to Awful End and live with his Mad Uncle Jack and Even Madder Anut Maud. Mad Uncle Jack (as the name suggests) is completely bonkers. Hey pays bills with dried fish instead of money and rides a horse around the house. Even Madder Aunt Maud (yes, you guessed it again) is a total crack pot. Her best friend, Malcom...more
Before departing on a 1,200-mile road trip, I relieved the local library of about 35 hours' worth of audiobooks to play in the car. I hadn't heard of the Eddie Dickens trilogy, but the title piqued my curiosity, so I added it to the pile. As it turned out, I laughed for nearly the entire two-and-a-half-hour run of the audiobook.
While it would be all too easy to classify this short adventure under the heading of "Mass-Market Knockoffs of A Series of Unfortunate Events," to do so would be an injus...more
While it would be all too easy to classify this short adventure under the heading of "Mass-Market Knockoffs of A Series of Unfortunate Events," to do so would be an injus...more
Oct 22, 2009
NSAndrew Liebergen
rated it
4 of 5 stars
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
fantasy-science-fiction
When Eddie Dickens was eleven years old, both his parents caught some awful disease that made them turn yellow, go a bit crinkly around the edges, and smell of old hot water bottles." So begins author Philip Ardagh's silly story of an ill-fated boy who, due to his parents' jaundiced condition, is forced to take part in a quest so preposterous that it could only conclude at A House Called Awful End. Set in England, back in the days when "postage stamps were a pretty new idea," Eddie finds himself...more
Oct 05, 2012
Morgan
rated it
5 of 5 stars
·
review of another edition
Recommends it for:
Anyone who enjoys Tim Burton's movies
Recommended to Morgan by:
Mom
This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it,
click here.
A short and very funny adventure starring Eddie Dickens, sometimes called Johnathon or Simon by his mother when she forgets his name.
The audio book begins with a helpful note for American readers who may have trouble figuring out some of the Britishisms of the book, which was very funny in itself.
The book was apparently written in a series of episodes for the author's nephew at boarding school, and as such is slightly ridiculous and I believe very suitable for young British gentlemen, or young...more
The audio book begins with a helpful note for American readers who may have trouble figuring out some of the Britishisms of the book, which was very funny in itself.
The book was apparently written in a series of episodes for the author's nephew at boarding school, and as such is slightly ridiculous and I believe very suitable for young British gentlemen, or young...more
My nine year old gave this four stars but I think that was mostly be abuse she insisted I read all the voices it in a British accent. Since my British accent is so bad as to not be recognizable, I think she just enjoyed laughing at me and my silly voice.
I think this book tried too hard to be like A Series of unfortunate Events. It was silly with weird characters but they mostly were all weird in the same way. There were some funny plays on words but they went right over my daughter's head. I th...more
I think this book tried too hard to be like A Series of unfortunate Events. It was silly with weird characters but they mostly were all weird in the same way. There were some funny plays on words but they went right over my daughter's head. I th...more
A very good children book to read especially with the images that are included in the book, a few good laughs throughout the book. The author directs his attention to the reader on several occasions such as what a particular articulated word arose, some are funny quirks and history facts. More suitable for the younger audience but great for older readers for a laugh.
The books is about a boy name Eddie including other names (don't ask, just read), lives with his parents until they get sick (tempo...more
The books is about a boy name Eddie including other names (don't ask, just read), lives with his parents until they get sick (tempo...more
We listened to this one in the car. It had all the requisite qualities for a good listen. British reader, macabre plot with an orphan, and great cover illustration. However I could not pay attention to what was going on I frequently had to ask the kids what had just happened. Fortunatley they were listening and paying attention and could usually tell me where we were. I would have to say though this might be a better read. There are lots of plot twists and it is very wordy 'of the dear reader wi...more
Obvious comparisons can be made to Monty Python and Lemony Snicket, where the text is full of nonsensical events and puns along with over-literal character interactions. However, unlike A Series of Unfortunate Events, I never quite felt engaged to the story itself or even the characters and additionally feel that this zany style of storytelling often overshadowed the plot. That said, it was still amusing, especially when taken into context: How I envy Ardagh's nephew as the recipient of each epi...more
In the vein of the Series of Unfortunate Events, but from the other side of the pond. Eddie Dickens (hmmm, interesting choice of name that) acquaints us with new vocabulary and literary conventions in the guise of torturing an eleven year old boy. The adults in this book are nothing short of insane and Eddie has to navigate their world bemused as, I suppose, kids are by the real adult world that must seem just as insanely arbitrary as this fictional one.
It was better than the Snicket books at h...more
It was better than the Snicket books at h...more
I listened to the whole series on audio CD with my son. They are his favorite books and now we are getting my oldest daughter hooked. The books are less like novels and more like interactive theatre. The author speaks directly to the reader/listener. As the story of an unfortunate boy progresses, we meet all his crazy relatives and people they meet. The author explains the history of the setting and subtleties of the plot in comic deadpan asides. The main character is sent to live with his mad u...more
I think it's difficult to write a book that so thoroughly integrated the obvious voice of the narrator -- who consciously points out that he's the narrator -- and keep that voice humorous without becoming annoying. Oh, and have interesting characters and something of a decent plot as well.
Ardagh manages to do all of this in an all-too-brief book. There was so much to love about this book. I've read it once, listened to it on CD a second time and it's still every bit as enjoyable.
It's one of thos...more
Ardagh manages to do all of this in an all-too-brief book. There was so much to love about this book. I've read it once, listened to it on CD a second time and it's still every bit as enjoyable.
It's one of thos...more
Jan 11, 2009
Haley
rated it
3 of 5 stars
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
7th-grade-ir-books-stacy
A young boy in England named Eddie Dickens is sent off to stay with his Mad Uncle Jack and Even-Madder Aunt Maud when both Eddie's parents catch a disease that makes them turn yellow, go a bit crinkly around the edges, and smell of hot water bottles, it's agreed he should go and stay with relatives at their house, Awful End. through a string of over-complicated funny events he finds himself in an orphanage called St. Horrid's Orphanage.
This book has been said to be like a cross between Charles...more
This book has been said to be like a cross between Charles...more
Some of my favorite books have been those ostensibly written for children. This charming little story reminds me of some of my favorites. The prose style is reminiscent of A.A. Milne (Winnie the Pooh...) and the characters remind me of those by Roald Dahl (James and the Giant Peach / Matilda / Charlie and the Chocolate Factory...) with a little Charles Dickens thrown into the names and the settings. If you think I mean that as high praise, you’re right.
The story is set in a fictional and sillier...more
The story is set in a fictional and sillier...more
As stated by the author, this book came about because rather than write his nephew boring letters while he was at boarding school, his Uncle chose to write him stories instead. Eddie’s stories.
When Eddie Dickens’ parents take ill with an odd disease, they send him off with his Great-Uncle, who happens to be mad. Much to Eddie’s chagrin, upon arriving in the carriage, his Great-aunt is even madder. Naturally, many mishaps ensue. From sleeping in a trunk to rescuing an orphanage full of kids, Eddi...more
When Eddie Dickens’ parents take ill with an odd disease, they send him off with his Great-Uncle, who happens to be mad. Much to Eddie’s chagrin, upon arriving in the carriage, his Great-aunt is even madder. Naturally, many mishaps ensue. From sleeping in a trunk to rescuing an orphanage full of kids, Eddi...more
Dieses Buch habe ich zum ersten Mal im September 2007 gelesen und war von der ersten gelben, welligen Seite an begeistert. Es ist mit Abstand das absurdeste Buch, das ich je gelesen habe und das Tolle ist: es gibt noch 5 weitere!
Vor Kurzem (Nov 09) habe ich mir nun die Hörbücher der ersten drei Eddie Dickens Teile angeschafft, die von Harry Rowohlt gelesen werden. Dies gelingt dem guten Herren genauso fantastisch wie das vermutlich mit starken Schmerzen verbundene Übersetzen der mit unzähligen W...more
Vor Kurzem (Nov 09) habe ich mir nun die Hörbücher der ersten drei Eddie Dickens Teile angeschafft, die von Harry Rowohlt gelesen werden. Dies gelingt dem guten Herren genauso fantastisch wie das vermutlich mit starken Schmerzen verbundene Übersetzen der mit unzähligen W...more
The way I see it, you can only really enjoy this book if you go into it with the opinion, "Oh what the heck!"
Absurdity abounds, and I really do mean absurdity, and at times the looniness outweighs the plot or character development.
It was enjoyable in a bizarre way, but for my money I would rather recommend "The Strictest School in the World, Being the Tale of a Clever Girl, a Rubber Boy, and a Collection of Flying Machines, Mostly Broken" by Howard Whitehouse instead.
Absurdity abounds, and I really do mean absurdity, and at times the looniness outweighs the plot or character development.
It was enjoyable in a bizarre way, but for my money I would rather recommend "The Strictest School in the World, Being the Tale of a Clever Girl, a Rubber Boy, and a Collection of Flying Machines, Mostly Broken" by Howard Whitehouse instead.
1 like · like · see review
When eddie discovers that his parents have come down with something that causes strange things to happen to your body. His parents decide to send himn off to his mad uncle jack and even madder aunt maud. Eddies journey to his relatives house is a long interesting one, he encounters many strange obstacles. On arriving at their house Eddie realizes his stay is going to be an unpleasant one. Even tho this book was below my reading level i enjoyed reading this book. It was very entertaining and kept...more
Oct 08, 2009
Kathrina
rated it
4 of 5 stars
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
books-i-read-with-my-kids
What a delight, and I really hate using that word, but nothing else describes the feeling we had as we chortled over each episode. Actually, my 7-year-old missed most of the jokes, excepting the scene where the children crawl out of the cow's bottom -- how can you miss that?-- but my 10-year-old caught most every pun and appreciated the strange situations Ardagh brought us to. Still, this is one of those books that children will enjoy for one reason, and adult readers, for another. "This is funn...more
Mar 21, 2009
Adela
rated it
3 of 5 stars
·
review of another edition
Recommends it for:
fans of Roald Dahl & Lemony Snicket
I've seen this one in the bookstore for a long time and, cover judger that I am, figured it to be riding on Lemony Snicket's coat tails. Although I don't think that's actually the case, or at least not entirely, The Eddie Dickens trilogy will appeal to the same audience. Awful End reminded me of an amalgamation of Roald Dahl and Lemony Snicket. If you like either of those authors, you'll probably like this book. If you don't, or you don't like kids' books, I wouldn't bother with it.
i read this with the kids that i nanny and it made us all laugh out loud. luckily, we borrowed all three books of the trilogy at once so we wasted no time in diving into the next book.
it was funny, well (if oddly) written and the story was predictable but that added to the charm. very unique characters and "logic" to their actions, and highly entertaining illustrations.
i would definitely recommend this and can't wait to finish the series!
it was funny, well (if oddly) written and the story was predictable but that added to the charm. very unique characters and "logic" to their actions, and highly entertaining illustrations.
i would definitely recommend this and can't wait to finish the series!
Awful End
A delightfully quirky, humorous story reminiscent of The Series of Unfortunate Events.
Eddie Dickens' parents are worried about him. They've both come down with a disease that has turned them yellow, made them go all crinkly around the edges and smell of old hot water bottles. They are under the care of a doctor, who has some rather unique, and very odd, remedies. Afraid that their son may catch the disease, they decide to send Eddie to live with his mad Uncle Jack and Mad Aunt Maude in...more
A delightfully quirky, humorous story reminiscent of The Series of Unfortunate Events.
Eddie Dickens' parents are worried about him. They've both come down with a disease that has turned them yellow, made them go all crinkly around the edges and smell of old hot water bottles. They are under the care of a doctor, who has some rather unique, and very odd, remedies. Afraid that their son may catch the disease, they decide to send Eddie to live with his mad Uncle Jack and Mad Aunt Maude in...more
This book fits the personality of someone who enjoys fun myserious books that just seem to have no ending.The book is about a young orphan boy named eddie whos parents died in a tragic accident, so he has to go live with his snobby old aunt and uncle who have no clue as to how to raise a child, but to trat them as if they were a servent night and day. Read the book and I bet you'll enjoy it.
A fun little book, along the lines of Lemoney Snicket's "A Series of Unfortunate Events" series. Eddie is sent off to live with his Mad Aunt and Uncle at Awful End.
Along the way he has many adventures in The Coaching Inn, and at an orphanage, where he rescues the orphans.
Fortunately, before he gest there he is reunited with his parents who have been cured from their illness.
Along the way he has many adventures in The Coaching Inn, and at an orphanage, where he rescues the orphans.
Fortunately, before he gest there he is reunited with his parents who have been cured from their illness.
I loved this book! I have always been a big fan of the British sense of humor and wit and Philip Ardagh did not disappoint. It is a good story for kids in its own right, but great for adults as well. The author has a way of writing that will entertain children and make adults laugh with his subtle humor that younger people are not likely to get. A great book!
I absolutely loved this book. I was laughing out loud at how brilliantly it was written and how unexpected it all was. I recommend it to anyone who loved the Lemony Snickett books, or who enjoyed Whales on Stilts by MT Anderson, or those who enjoyed JT Petty's books. Wonderful humor, memorable characters. A great book to read aloud to younger children.
A House Called Awful End is about a boy, and his parents had a disease that they didn't want their son to get. So they sent him to live with his greatgrandparents until they get better.
I gave this book 3 stars because it could have been better in a few ways.
I would recomend this book to anyone who likes orphanages or crazy greatgrandparents.
I gave this book 3 stars because it could have been better in a few ways.
I would recomend this book to anyone who likes orphanages or crazy greatgrandparents.
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Over six-and-a-half feet tall, with a bushy beard,Philip Ardagh is not only very big but also very hairy. He is the author of the Eddie Dickens Trilogy and when not writing silly books, Mr. Ardagh is quite serious and frowns a great deal. He lives in a seaside town somewhere in England with his wife and their son, Fred.
More about Philip Ardagh...
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“If anyone had appeared in just a pair of boxer shorts or swimming trunks, the womenfolk would have had "an attack of the vapors" and the menfolk would have exploded in a rage at the indecency of it. What exactly "an attack of the vapors" was is unclear, because there is no such thing as womenfolk anymore, and there is certainly no such thing as an attack of the vapors.”
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22. Mai, 22:54 Uhr