Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #71194 in Books
• Published on: 2000-10-16
• Original language: English
• Binding: Paperback
• 144 pages

Amazon.co.uk Review
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

Synopsis
When both of Eddie's parents catch a disease that makes them turn yellow and smell of hot-water bottles, it's agreed that he should go to stay with relatives at Awful End. Sadly for Eddie, those relatives are Mad Uncle Jack and Even-Madder Aunt Maud.

From the Publisher
AWFUL END press coverage
AWFUL END has received rave reviews. Here are a few extracts:

"A delicious slice of the ridiculous. A real find." Tara Stephenson, THE BOOKSELLER

"With a wildly funny imagination that positively fizzes, Ardagh piles on the laughs. This is completely barking and I love it." Alison Davison, BIRMINGHAM POST

"Like Roddy Doyle, Philip Ardagh plays with narrative to hilarious effect." Jennifer Taylor, THE CHILDREN'S BOOKSELLER

"Stimulating, original and exceptionally funny." Heaher Walmsley, SCHOOLSNET

"The author's breezy interjections and the characters' endearing habits make it a delightful and entertaining read." TIME OUT

"Eccentric, anarchic and engagingly written, this is a guaranteed winner." Lindsey Fraser, GUARDIAN

Customer Reviews

Spectacular Start.
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
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.
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.