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What a clever and terrifying idea for a book. I was disturbed and intrigued in equal measures as I explored the dystopian world that Fern has to live in. As with all good books, it made me think - what would I do if I were no longer allowed to read fiction? How would my favourite authors react if they were forced to stop writing? I enjoyed speculating about which authors would resist and how. It had a big impact on me as I read. I feel like every fiction reader should read this book just as a reminder of how important fiction is important and shapes our lives and our world. Fans of dystopian reads and thrillers will love it. A few of the dystopian scenes were too graphic for me. This might not be a problem for all readers.
If, I'll have to define this book in one word it would-be SIMPLE. The writing was so simple and the focus was only on ordinary elements and events of Fern's life. Sometimes, world-building doesn't have to be ostentatious. A regular world can be equally charming. I really enjoyed the writing and savor each detail. I agree that nothing is perfect so, in the middle, it started the downfall of the book, Ferns' character started to be dull, and the book entered into a boring land. I was bored and just wanted to finish it but after 80% of the book it took an interesting and totally unexpected turn that was able to grab all of my attention and I loved those twists and turns. I don't wanna spoil but normally this kind of twist is banal and not my favorite. But the way the author manipulate things was really clever. Fern Dostoy is a criminal. Officially, she has retrained in a new job outside of the arts but she still scrawls in a secret notepad in an effort to capture what her life has become: her work on a banned phone line, reading bedtime stories to sleep-starved children; Hunter, the young boy who calls her and has captured her heart; and the dreaded visits from government officials. But as Fern begins to learn more about Hunter, doubts begin to surface. What are they both hiding? And who can be trusted? A compelling novel with an intriguing premise and a genuine didn't-see-it-coming twist. It made me think about how we tell stories, how we occupy them and how stories can ultimately change us." - Araminta HallLouise beech is one of my favourite authors but this is nothing like she’s ever written before! She is a genius and without a doubt this is her best book ever My thanks to Hodder & Stoughton Audio and NetGalley for the ALC of “End of Story”. This review is voluntary and contains my honest opinion about the audiobook. Powerful and thought-provoking and quite unlike anything I've read before. Louise Beech is a fearless writer." - Laura Pearson Some part of the final reveal feels a bit dragged, though I do see why they were necessary in the broader sense. I guess I was just impatient to find out more as soon as possible!
The story for the most part is imaginative on how a scenario like this plays out and the impact it has. The pace is inconsistent in the initial sections – it starts with a bang and then tapers off, then again building up slowly. I had a sneaking suspicion on the turn it would take towards the end and that is what happened. The last sections will not stand up to much logical scrutiny, though they are well written. A propulsive and incredibly creepy dystopian premise - I was hooked from the outset, and every twist was perfectly executed. A fantastic thriller." - Heather Darwent I usually love this authors work but a dystopian thriller for me was a step too far. The first chapter was gripping but then it went off the boil. The last 20% of this book was like the first chapter. So much hype and for me so disappointing.Admittedly when I finished this utterly amazing novel I bawled like a baby for a good hour. I mean really, you should all read it and share the completely honest trauma. Move over Louise Beech, there’s a new writer in town… And wow, does she have a story to tell. Louise Swanson is the new penname for Louise Beech as she does what we’ve always hoped she would do and dives into the darker side genres. And never, ever, ever, has an Author adopted the persona of their alter ego quite as well as Louise has done with her foray into writing as Swanson. If you want a genuinely affecting book about the horrors of grief; read 'This Thing Between Us' by Gus Moreno. End of Story by Louise Swanson is an outstanding book about a world where no one is allowed to write fiction. Authors are forbidden to operate and are punished severely for their crimes. In this surveillance state nothing is hidden from the authorities. Government officials visit with little or no notice—namely, two individuals Fern describes as “the tall one and the short one.” It’s a compelling book, set in 2035, revealing a cruel, totalitarian era where disaster is sure to come at full force. It’s almost The Handmaid’s Tale meets Delirium (Dare to Love) in that individuals must undergo disciplinary procedures to “cure” them.
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