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The House at the End of Hope Street: The utterly enchanting novel of magic and second chances (Magical Cambridge Book 1) Kindle Edition

4.2 out of 5 stars 2,607 ratings

In Alba Ashby's hour of need, she finds herself on the doorstep of number 11 Hope Street, a house that has stood quietly in Cambridge for nearly two hundred years. But this is no ordinary house. Its walls are steeped in the wisdom of past residents including Virginia Woolf, Dorothy Parker and Agatha Christie. Alba accepts an invitation to stay under the condition she has ninety-nine nights, and no more, to turn her life around.



Guided by the energy of the house, where portraits come alive, bookcases refill themselves and hot chocolate has healing properties, the enchanting experience Alba and her new friends share will transform their lives in unexpected ways.



WHAT READERS ARE SAYING:


'From the very first paragraph I was hooked . it's warm and inspiring, thoughtful, wise and if you're needing a little hope in your life just now, please do yourself a massive favour and read this book, with a mug of creamy hot chocolate and ginger snap biscuits! . the words take you all the way to Hope Street, where I think I will stay for a very long time!' Reader Review ??????????


'This is, truly, one of the very best books I have ever read. I gobbled it up in a matter of days and was so impressed by the empathy, kindness and wonder with which each and every character was treated.' Reader Review ??????????


'Oh I so didn't want this book to end, it was truly delicious!' Reader Review ??????????


'I rarely leave a 5* review unless I've really loved a book but this was one of those! It's the story of... well... a house, at the end of Hope Street, and its occupants all of whom are, or have been, in need of its magic. I usually avoid 'magic' stories like the plague but something drew me to this one... and I'm very glad about it.' Reader Review ??????????


'Beautifully written with life lessons for everyone, threaded through with a sprinkle of magic!' Reader Review ??????????


'I absolutely LOVED this, I couldn't put it down, and it's a while since a book has had that effect. A good story line and pace, which doesn't give too much away and builds nicely . I totally loved the way real life, historical people had stayed at the house.' Reader Review ??????????


'It's a sweet story, written with a deft hand and I enjoyed the twists and the development of the characters. To the author: good job and thank you!.' Reader Review ??????????


'What a lovely, gentle, original and inspiring book. If you've ever loved the wrong person . or you can't see your way ahead . or if you have a dream that you are too scared to follow, if you love literature or music, or cats or chocolate or mystery . then read this book.' Reader Review ??????????


'From the outset, the language and imagery are enchanting, and once you enter the House, you simply must uncover the stories and secrets within . There is great sadness but, thanks to Peggy and Stella, great hope too. One to read and read again I think.' Reader Review ??????????


'This is the first book in a long time that I have read in just one day. I could not put it down.' Reader Review ??????????


From the Publisher

House
Witches
Series banner
The House at the End of Hope Street: The utterly enchanting novel of magic an...
The Witches of Cambridge: The charming novel of life-changing magic and frien...
The Lost Art of Letter Writing: The spellbinding and cosy novel of love, loss...
The Dress Shop of Dreams: The uplifting read of love lost and found (Magical ...
The Patron Saint of Lost Souls: The bewitching novel of getting your heart’s ...
Customer Reviews
4.2 out of 5 stars 2,607
4.3 out of 5 stars 902
4.1 out of 5 stars 725
4.3 out of 5 stars 326
Price £9.19 £9.97 £9.19 £9.97 £9.99
Magical

Product description

Review

"Vividly drawn ... absorbing and beautiful." Bridget Collins

"Van Praag's character-driven, lush novel ... it is a story determined to exalt the powers of the feminine" Library Journal

"One of those rare finds: a vivid and fully-realized act of the imagination, written with the page-turning immediacy of the here and now, but overflowing with the wonder of the stories of old." Robert Dinsdale

"Van Praag spins a compelling, intensely poetic narrative of empowerment and self-realisation." The Guardian

'Readers will be drawn to these well-developed characters and their lush world." Publishers Weekly

About the Author

Menna van Praag was born in Cambridge and studied Modern History at Oxford University. She lives in Cambridge and sets her novels among the colleges, cafes and bookshops of the city.

Product details

  • ASIN ‏ : ‎ B00QMFWTN8
  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Allison & Busby
  • Accessibility ‏ : ‎ Learn more
  • Publication date ‏ : ‎ 23 April 2015
  • Edition ‏ : ‎ UK ed.
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • File size ‏ : ‎ 1.8 MB
  • Screen Reader ‏ : ‎ Supported
  • Enhanced typesetting ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • X-Ray ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Word Wise ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Print length ‏ : ‎ 322 pages
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0749018672
  • Page Flip ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Reading age ‏ : ‎ 18 years and up
  • Customer reviews:
    4.2 out of 5 stars 2,607 ratings

About the author

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Menna van Praag
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About the author

Menna van Praag is the author of six magical realism novels: Men, Money & Chocolate (translated into 26 languages), The House at the End of Hope Street, The Dress Shop of Dreams, The Witches of Cambridge, The Lost Art of Letter Writing & The Patron Saint of Lost Souls, all set among the cafes and colleges of Cambridge. Her first fantasy trilogy, The Sisters Grimm, Night of Demons and Saints & Child of Earth and Sky was published by Transworld 2020-23. She's currently working on her first novel of speculative fiction.

Menna graduated with a BA in Modern History from Balliol College, Oxford. She was a Royal Literary Fellow (2022-23) and teaches both the Certificate and the Diploma at the University of Cambridge's Institute of Continuing Education. She supervises Master's students for the MSt in Creative Writing at Cambridge University, teaches The History of the Novel for the MA in Creative Writing at ARU and was shortlisted for the "Masters Teacher of the Year 2022".

She reads too many books, buys too much stationery & eats too much cake - if such a thing is possible!

Customer reviews

4.2 out of 5 stars
2,607 global ratings

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Customers say

Customers find this book to be a magical read that captivates from start to finish, with a story that's thought-provoking and an ultimate in escapism. The characters are well-developed, with historical figures woven into the narrative, and customers appreciate the author's love of language. Customers describe it as a feel-good, gentle read that's different and original, though some find it tedious to follow.

AI-generated from the text of customer reviews

112 customers mention ‘Readability’108 positive4 negative

Customers find the book highly readable, describing it as a magical and lighthearted good read, with one customer noting it kept them enthralled from the first page.

"...It's warm and inspiring, thoughtful, wise and if you're needing a little hope in your life just now, please do yourself a massive favour and read..." Read more

"Oh this was a lovely book! Set against a beautifully portrayed backdrop of Cambridge, the lead characters all sensitively written, their stories..." Read more

"...tower room as caretaker of the house where she has delightful tea cups painted with tarot cards which read the future of whoever drinks from them..." Read more

"...But still an entertaining and nicely positive read." Read more

108 customers mention ‘Story quality’101 positive7 negative

Customers find the book's story engaging and thought-provoking, describing it as an ultimate form of escapism.

"...It's the perfect combination of real life and magic, making it entirely believable and yet providing the most perfect escape whether you need one or..." Read more

"...the lead characters all sensitively written, their stories skilfully interwoven, this is a cleverly crafted piece of escapist fantasy and a book I..." Read more

"...But it's much, much more than that, the house is alive, magical, it nurtures, soothes and inspires the residents...." Read more

"...This well-written and light hearted novel is pleasurable to read and contains, in addition, a clear message about personal empowerment and the..." Read more

37 customers mention ‘Character development’34 positive3 negative

Customers appreciate the character development in the book, particularly noting how the characters from history are woven into the story and how readers become friends with them.

"...story is told, the story itself, just everything about it draws you in so entirely and seamlessly before you know it you're there, it's real and..." Read more

"...just a wee gripe - the book is quintessentially English, with English heroines and an English narrative, written by an author born in Cambridge, so..." Read more

"...I liked the portraits of the famous, reminding us that we're all fallible and prone to fortune's slings and arrows...." Read more

"...It is a kind of fairy story for adults and is liberally sprinkled with the voices of extraordinary women...." Read more

27 customers mention ‘Writing style’23 positive4 negative

Customers appreciate the writing style of the book, noting it is well-written and easy to read, with one customer highlighting the author's love of language.

"...What comes across too is the author's love of language and love of story telling, such a joy...." Read more

"...This well-written and light hearted novel is pleasurable to read and contains, in addition, a clear message about personal empowerment and the..." Read more

"Beautifully written with life lessons for everyone, threaded through with a sprinkle of magic!" Read more

"This is an enjoyable and easy read about women making choices about how to live a happy, fulfilled life..." Read more

14 customers mention ‘Comfort’14 positive0 negative

Customers find the book gentle and feel-good, with one mentioning it has a slightly mystic feel, while another notes it's perfect for escaping reality.

"...much, much more than that, the house is alive, magical, it nurtures, soothes and inspires the residents...." Read more

"...of a book with a big swirl of bright icing and sugar sprinkles - feel-good and therapeutic but not the stuff of life." Read more

"...A comforting read perfect for escaping reality." Read more

"Not gripping rather enveloping, the weird and wonderful really captured me. I just loved the wardrobe in Greer's room...." Read more

13 customers mention ‘Pacing’10 positive3 negative

Customers appreciate the book's pacing, finding it different and original.

"What a lovely, gentle, original and inspiring book...." Read more

"...A lighthearted good read, and different! Would recommend to friends." Read more

"...It is different, it is very clever and it actually feels the reader with hope as it does the inhabitants of Hope Street ..." Read more

"Quite interesting but a bit haphazard. Writer jumps from one person to another - in the same chapter, and it is sometimes off-putting to follow...." Read more

9 customers mention ‘Enjoyment’9 positive0 negative

Customers find the book entertaining, with one mentioning it made them both laugh and cry.

"...But still an entertaining and nicely positive read." Read more

"...This book is highly imaginative, positive and humorous. A very inventive story-line, indeed." Read more

"...hope and personal odyssey it has been both satisfying and pleasurable...." Read more

"...normally pick up to read however it was 'different', endearing and amusing. A bit of light relief which sometimes is good for the soul" Read more

9 customers mention ‘Difficulty to follow’4 positive5 negative

Customers have mixed opinions about the book's readability, with several finding it tedious to follow, while one customer mentions it's easy to slip back into the story.

"...person to another - in the same chapter, and it is sometimes off-putting to follow. The story concept is good though." Read more

"...story itself, just everything about it draws you in so entirely and seamlessly before you know it you're there, it's real and there's no chance you..." Read more

"A tedious and bland story that wants to be something it simply isn't - also, why on earth must the author insist on using the name of the central..." Read more

"...It wasn't something that had me hooked but it was easy to slip back into the story and the storyline was sweet and also quite unusual." Read more

Top reviews from United Kingdom

  • Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 20 October 2013
    It's been a while since I've felt so moved and inspired by a story, and I read constantly! An amazing story by an author who I've discovered to be a very lovely gracious lady. If you're a fan of Sarah Addison Allen or (although I would have to say I preferred this book to any of the others) you'll love this book, and even if you're not you'll still love it! Somebody has already drawn a parallel between Menna Van Praag and JK Rowling and I entirely agree, I thought so almost the moment I started to read. The way this story is told, the story itself, just everything about it draws you in so entirely and seamlessly before you know it you're there, it's real and there's no chance you won't stick with it until the very end to find out how it ends. What comes across too is the author's love of language and love of story telling, such a joy. It's the perfect combination of real life and magic, making it entirely believable and yet providing the most perfect escape whether you need one or not.

    From the very first paragraph I was hooked, believing entirely in the house and its inhabitants, past and present. It's warm and inspiring, thoughtful, wise and if you're needing a little hope in your life just now, please do yourself a massive favour and read this book, with a mug of creamy hot chocolate and ginger snap biscuits! I only wish I read a little slower so it could have lasted just that little bit longer, not that I won't re-read it of course, in fact I already am and what I'm loving so much is that I'm getting even more from it second time around. I don't think that is an easy thing to do, or an easy story to write. Far from it.

    I just couldn't put it down yet forced myself to do so so I could make it last for the duration of a holiday I was saving it for - complete torture and making me so so grateful for the epilogue! What I would be even more grateful for, however, Menna, would be a return to Hope Street and preferably some time soon! Until then though, I've just started Menna's previous novel, Men, Money and Chocolate and whilst a little different from Hope Street I'm thoroughly enjoying it and immediately connected with the main character!

    I just can't recommend this novel enough, for so many reasons, all of which you will no doubt discover if you do the most sensible thing you have ever done and BUY THIS BOOK !!!!

    I love the more old-fashioned way of being told a good old story and this does exactly that, the words take you all the way to Hope Street, where I think I will stay for a very long time!

    Thanks Menna, hurry up with the next.
    7 people found this helpful
    Report
  • Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 15 March 2016
    Oh this was a lovely book! Set against a beautifully portrayed backdrop of Cambridge, the lead characters all sensitively written, their stories skilfully interwoven, this is a cleverly crafted piece of escapist fantasy and a book I couldn't put down.
    But I do have just a wee gripe - the book is quintessentially English, with English heroines and an English narrative, written by an author born in Cambridge, so why oh why do jarring 'Americansims' creep in? Like flashlight for torch, 'checks' for £10000 and - gasp! worst of all! - Daphne du Maurrier entreating the heroine to 'listen up'. It may seem petty to many people, but for me it really intrudes in the flow of the book, and a truly good read should be seamless, so that's a star deducted, sorry!
    Having said that, I will be reading more of this author's work!
    25 people found this helpful
    Report
  • Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 31 January 2016
    I rushed to buy this book after reading about it on the #FridayFiveChallenge and am so pleased I did. The House At The End Of Hope Street is women's fiction, the book is set in Cambridge, UK. Oh I so didn't want this book to end, it was truly delicious! My feelings about the book were a mix; I was a gown-up in Alice-in-Wonderland and I felt like Harry Potter seeing the Weasley house for the first time all rolled into one. The shear delight of Number 11 Hope Street, I want to go there now, I want to spend 99 nights and you will too.

    Alba Ashley is 19, intelligent beyond her years she is already at Cambridge University doing a PHD in modern history, she sees spirits, ghosts, auras and more, yet she is alone, lost and currently in deep shock. Her footsteps take her to the doorstep of number 11 Hope Street and Peggy Abbot. Alba is invited in, the walls are filled with photos of old residents; Daphne Du Maurier, Virginia Woolf and Caroline Herschel to name but a few.

    Peggy offers Alba a room for 99 nights, no rent, no bills to pay, just take care of the house and the house will take care of you. The house is a refuge for women who lose hope. But it's much, much more than that, the house is alive, magical, it nurtures, soothes and inspires the residents.

    There are two other ladies living in the house at this time, Carmen a Spanish singer with a secret and Greer a broken hearted actress. The storyline evolves around the healing power of the house on all four of the characters as the author slowly peels away the layers of their lives allowing us to be there with all the women. Peggy has her own tower room as caretaker of the house where she has delightful tea cups painted with tarot cards which read the future of whoever drinks from them and crockery with moving characters from fiction.

    Alba makes her first friend, a ghost called Stella, who lives in the kitchen and is there for her when she has news that her mother has died. This is a possible set back for Alba in her recovery however where one door closes another opens. The house sends paper messages which often take a little work to understand.

    I want to tell you so much more, but it would spoil your own enjoyment of this book, I loved Peggy and her chocolate cake eating habit, I loved Alba for who she discovered she could be and Greer and Carmen and I loved the fact that after the author had finished this book she found out that there really is a Hope Street in Cambridge, but no number 11 - spooky!
    One person found this helpful
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  • Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 17 December 2023
    The style of switching between viewpoints after each 'section' - often less than a page - got a bit wearing, and I thought there were too many viewpoints overall, it could easily have managed without the male POVs. But still an entertaining and nicely positive read.

Top reviews from other countries

Translate all reviews to English
  • Sandy S.
    5.0 out of 5 stars WHAT AN ADVENTURE!
    Reviewed in Germany on 6 May 2013
    The last time I got sucked into a book like this was when the first Harry Potter came out! I loved the characters from the first page and I was happy that I am a slow reader, so that I would be able to enjoy the ride for a while. Little did I know I would end up using every spare moment to come back to THE HOUSE AT THE END OF HOPE STREET. What I love is that the story is not about the magical things that happen in the house, even though they would be worth the read on their own, but it is about the unraveling of the lives of people, who have no idea who they really are. Kinda like most people I know... My favorite part of the story is the friendship and the conversations between Alba (the main character) and Stella the ghost, who has her own little secrets. I really recommend reading this book!
  • Jessica Lewis
    5.0 out of 5 stars So much love.
    Reviewed in Canada on 22 March 2018
    LOOOVEEDD this, which is about a magical house that young women find when they’re down-and-out and need help getting back on their feet. The house gives them 99 days to live there to turn their lives around (and helps them do so), and boasts alumni such as Agatha Christie, Sylvia Plath, Dorothy Parker, etc. It focuses on a young girl named Alba who was the youngest student at Cambridge University, but who had abandoned her studies after something happened with her professor. The book goes on to include the stories of three other women in the house, and guys, it was just lovely. I really like Menna’s beautiful style of writing, and how effortlessly she can bring you into a character’s life. All of Menna's books have these soft touches of magical realism and follow smart young women in Cambridge, England. Yesss, I’m so charmed.
  • Lesley BH
    5.0 out of 5 stars Another delightful, magical book by Menna van Praag. I couldn't put it down.
    Reviewed in Australia on 26 January 2017
    After reading two of her beautiful, totally absorbing novels, I won't be able to stop until I have read them all. Ms van Praag's prose, her characters, her plots are as rich and comforting as the chocolate cake covered in cream favoured by the landlady of the house.
  • Sol
    2.0 out of 5 stars Un dramón
    Reviewed in Spain on 29 September 2015
    El comienzo es prometedor, parece que va a ser una historia diferente y mágica. No es así. Poco a poco se convierte en un dramón tras otro y resulta deprimente. Lo terminé porque quería que los personajes dejasen de sufrir.
    Report
  • Catrien van Brouwershaven
    5.0 out of 5 stars Aanrader!
    Reviewed in the Netherlands on 15 October 2015
    Heerlijk om te lezen en door de historische figuren in het verhaal interessant en minder oppervlakkig dan je in eerste instantie zou verwachten.

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