Awful End

Age range: 8-11

When Eddie's parents are struck down by a strange disease that turns them a rather peculiar shade of yellow, it is decided that he should go and stay with Mad Uncle Jack and Even-Madder Aunt Maud at Awful End.

Philip Ardagh's supremely daft and extremely funny novel is set in a terribly smelly 19th century world that children will love. Ardagh captures the stench and stealth of the times, turning what could have been a straightforward adventure story into a delightfully pungent, utterly ridiculous but unbelievably gripping adventure story.--Susan Harrison

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Spectacular Start. - Rated
Forgive the five stars, which always look to me like over-excited hyperbole, but Awful End really is one of the funniest things I've ever read. Endlessly inspired and random, the tale of poor befuddled Eddie's journey from his home to Awful End is full of bizarre, hilarious goings-on.

True, it's only 130ish pages long, and I read it in one sitting - but it's the kind of explosion of wit that demands re-reading. The characters are all completely mad and you accept it going in, and Ardagh's narrative voice, slightly reminiscent of Lemony Snicket, is weirdly informative but never patronising (which is where he differs from Snicket; he's better!).

It's a work of genius or a mess of lunacy, depending on your disposition, but it's undeniably hilarious either way. VERY highly recommended.

Odd and confusing book - Rated
I thought the title says it all, it was an awful end, and the middle and beginning were not that good either. Mad Uncle Jack and Mad Aunt Maud were annoying and irritating and were not funny. Eddie's parents had a disease that was unbelievable. For my age group (ten years) there are some much better books like Amazon Adventure,African Adventure by Willard Price, Stormbreaker,Point Blanc by Anthony Horowitz, Friend or Foe by Michael Morpurgo.

a funny, chaotic, amusing and strange book. - Rated
When Eddies parents catch a virus which makes them yellow, crinkly around the edges, and smelling of hot water bottles, he is sent to live with his Mad Uncle Jack and Even-Madder Aunt Maud in Awful End. His journey to get there is easier said than done. Especially travelling with Uncle Jack and Aunt Maud.
His advice from his Mother - don't get mistaken for a run-away orphan and get taken back to the orphanage seems silly at the time, but it doesn't when it actually happens.

I got this book twice at Christmas, as it was recommended so much.
I think that this book is for people of around my age (11-12).
It was a quick read, but a very enjoyable, and funny one. After having read this book, I now want to read the next one.
I think that it was a little bit over-rated, but still scored 8/10.

Tries a bit too hard - Rated
Awful End is an amusing read, but like far too much of current children's fiction it doesn't lead anywhere. Simply having a series of humorous episodes populated by a variety of strange characters is not enough, as even young readers need to feel that they are being informed about something. The story simply begins, meanders and ends with very little reward. Today's children's authors would do well to reread some of the classics (assuming they've read them already) and learn again the importance of an engrossing narrative that leaves the reader fulfilled instead of only diverted.

AWFUL END rules! - Rated
The nearest thing to AWFUL END is Lemony Snicket and he should give up and go home. AWFUL END rules! AWFUL END is way out and funny when Lemony Snicket is just patchy and much more babyish. Lemony Snicket is for kids. AWFUL END is the real thing. My whole family thinks AWFUL END is great. I am getting DREADFUL ACTS for Christmas.