The first book in a hilarious, action-packed trilogy.
Eddie Dickens is sent off to stay with his aunt and uncle and a riotously funny comedy of... read full description
Eddie Dickens is sent off to stay with his aunt and uncle and a riotously funny comedy of... read full description
reviews
Jan 08, 2009
Adriana
rated it: 
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 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 More...
Jun 06, 2010
Xirxe
rated it: 
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 wiede 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 wiede More...
Dec 06, 2009
Alena
rated it:
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 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 More...
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Oct 22, 2009
NSAndrew
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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," Eddi
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Feb 14, 2012
Jake
rated it: 
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 ge More...
The books is about a boy name Eddie including other names (don't ask, just read), lives with his parents until they ge More...
Oct 08, 2010
Karen A.
rated it:
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 read
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May 05, 2011
Nikki
rated it:
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
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May 06, 2009
Marfita
rated it: 
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 bo More...
It was better than the Snicket bo More...
May 07, 2010
Tom
rated it:
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. 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. More...
Jan 11, 2009
Haley
rated it:
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 More...
This book has been said to be like a More...
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Jan 23, 2009
Jaemi
rated it:
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 o 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 o More...
Dec 07, 2009
Infinite Playlist
rated it:
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 unzähl 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 unzähl More...
May 09, 2010
Liza
rated it:
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 W
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 W
Nov 10, 2009
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
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Oct 08, 2009
Kathrina
rated it:
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
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Mar 21, 2009
Adela
rated it:
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.
Jan 25, 2009
Jasmine
rated it:
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.
Nov 23, 2011
Cynaemon
rated 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.
Feb 04, 2009
Amanda
rated it:
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!
Nov 23, 2010
Naomi
rated it:
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.
Nov 05, 2009
Chase
rated it:
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.
Jan 02, 2009
The perfect word to describe this book is "droll." I found it amusing, but I think it would irritate some people. What kids would think of it I can't imagine. I'm not particularly interested in reading any other books in the series, but I might pick them up if I want something short and funny.
Jan 29, 2011
Nikki
rated it:
Some children's books have an added layer for adults to enjoy - this book is not one of them. There are constant attempts at wit and eccentricity, but it all felt really contrived and childish. This is fun for kids, but anyone over the age of 10 should stay away.
Feb 20, 2012
Caitlin
rated it: 
I feel about this book the same way I feel about actors like Jim Carrey and Will Ferrell. There were moments of brilliant humor that made me laugh out loud, but overall, the author was trying too hard to be completely random. Less is more in my book.
Aug 09, 2010
Trish
rated it:
Zany is the word that kept leaping to mind as I read this book! The story begins with Eddie Dickens, a young boy in England circa 1860 who must leave his parents due to their unnamed but awful disease (that makes them turn yellow, and go crinkly around the edges) and go to live with his Great Mad Uncle Jack and Great Mad Aunt Maud. Although the trip is only 12 miles to his Aunt and Uncle's house called Awful End it is 12 miles filled with mad-cap adventure.
What I loved about this s More...
What I loved about this s More...
Aug 03, 2009
Stephan
rated it:
Sehr konfus und anders als viele andere (Kinder-)Bücher, aber sicherlich nicht der Geniestreich, als welcher "Schlimmes Ende" angepriesen wird. Vielleicht ist es für Jugendliche noch witziger, aber ich brauche keine weiteren Ardaghs mehr zu lesen.
Jan 07, 2009
Lyz
rated it:
Okay... so I listened to this book--I didn't actually read the hardcover version as the picture indicated. However, I WILL say that this book makes an excellent bedtime story chapter book! I [heart] listening to books on my iPod!
Sep 16, 2011
Thalia
rated it:
An hour of reading and 117 pages full of absurd adventures that happen to Eddie Dickens (not quite an orphan) on his way to Awful End. It's very funny, very British and very imaginative. Definitely not only for children.
Dec 04, 2008
Tina
rated it:
A good read when you need a quick laugh.
Eddie is a boy who is sent away to live with his Mad Uncle Jack and Even Madder Aunt Maude. Eventually he finds himself in an orphanage and has to save himself and the other orphans.
Eddie is a boy who is sent away to live with his Mad Uncle Jack and Even Madder Aunt Maude. Eventually he finds himself in an orphanage and has to save himself and the other orphans.
Jul 30, 2011
Trelawney
rated it:
I've listened to the audio book at least three or four times and I just rented it again. The quirky humour and complete randomness keeps me laughing hysterically through the whole thing. A book my brother and I won't forget. :)
