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In 2030 the government ban all fiction, there are no bookstores, library shelves contain only factual books and every home in the country have had their fictional books burnt. Authors can no longer write fiction and reading stories to children is against the law. Powerful and thought-provoking and quite unlike anything I've read before. Louise Beech is a fearless writer." - Laura Pearson If you are looking for something different to sink your teeth into, a book that is not what it appears to be, then I cannot recommend this one highly enough. End of Story is a moving, creative tale set in 2035, which was not what I expected when reaching for this book at all. The author keeps you engrossed in an unusual futuristic tale and then spins it around and delivers a whopper you would never foresee. By the time you reach the end of this book, you are left with a creative look at loss, heartbreak and unexpected friendships. Reading or writing fiction is now a punishable crime and children are struggling to sleep as they are no longer allowed bedtime stories
I found End of Story a fascinating concept when I heard Louise speak about it at a Hodder event last year. The idea for this novel came to Louise during the pandemic, when there was both a huge increase in book sales & reading, and also much talk about how many of the arts may not survive. This gave Louise the idea of a novel about banning reading & writing. Oh, how would we cope?! Note: The chapter endings in the initial half or so are quite abrupt, stopping mid-sentence. Don’t assume that this is a defect in your audio/digital/print copy. It is a deliberate writing choice, and you will learn the reason for it soon enough.A masterpiece of storytelling, with a plot that relentlessly draws you in, and then twists and evolves into something utterly unexpected. Wrapped in one of the most original and deeply-realised storylines I have read in a long time, this genre-blending book hits breathtaking new heights in contemporary fiction." - Philippa East Five years ago the UK government banned fiction. Writers are by law prohibited from writing novels. You can only buy factual books. Children are not allowed a bedtime story to help them get to sleep. Fern Dostoy was a very successful, award winning writer until fiction was banned. She is now not allowed to write, with a fine & possible imprisonment being the punishments for being caught writing or reading. The people running the country believe that fiction warps our minds, and we are told what to read. In today’s world, these things do not sound so far fetched! But we all know that she’s not going to do as she’s told don’t we?! I’m a bit flabbergasted after reading this. It wasn’t what I was expecting; it was so much more‘ NETGALLEY REVIEWER, 5* What a fantastic book, I really didn't see the twist coming but oh my gosh!' NETGALLEY REVIEWER, 5*
A few of the dystopian scenes were too graphic for me. This might not be a problem for all readers. In this creepy dystopian thriller, the writing is first-class and the author presents an horrific scenario that sets a scene to slowly absorb you. The main protagonist is deeply interesting, and there are deep emotional layers to the narrative. The ending is very cleverly done. If you are looking for something different and a book that is not what it appears to be, then I cannot recommend this one enough. I enjoy this author’s work. She manages to deliver an emotional ending while keeping the story light and easy to read. By the time I reached the end of this book, I was amazed by where the story ended. A beautifully written dystopian tale which had me enthralled from the start with its terrifying vision of a world without fiction. Hugely imaginative, original, and ultimately incredibly moving, End of Story is a wonderful book with a cast of fascinating characters. Loved it." - Amanda Jennings
Fern Doystoy was a Booker winner, one of the big 4, who’s life was stripped bare as she was a writer As much a ride as a read, this tense, paranoid thriller expands into something absolutely show-stopping. End of Story is a rare find indeed! Louise Swanson takes every expectation and defies it - to tell a breath-taking tale of humanity and redemption." - Janice Hallett Fern is childless, and wrote a bestselling novel that catapulted her to the heights of literary stardom after losing her husband to COVID in 2020 and using her grief to write a powerful satire that was one of those heralding the start of sweeping reforms.
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. Wow , what have I just read? I honestly could not put this book down , I read it in one sitting .' NETGALLEY REVIEWER, 5* I liked the characters and especially Fern, she does meander off a little in the middle but overall, was entertaining and paranoid. We see how drastically her life has changed from a best-selling author to nothing, a nobody living quietly in a new home where everything is different. The ideas mooted in her fictional book are interesting and give plenty of food for thought, though also a little terrifying! 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.
Overall, this is a very different and creative read and I admire what Louise Swanson has produced here. This is a book about the importance of storytelling, and it's little bit magic, a little bit dark, and a lot emotional. I adored it." - Amanda Prowse As a fiction lover, I found this book a nightmare. Oh, to picture a world without fiction – what a tragedy! I loved how it stressed on the importance of fiction (and I did get some heebie-jeebies at the way fiction was treated.) Please read this. And then make sure you go out and read other books. And that your children do. This will remind you why. 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.
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