Too much imagination can be a dangerous thing

It has been five years since writing fiction was banned by the government.

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?

Wow – what a premise for a book! I was hooked and shocked from the first few pages. With reference to recent real events such as covid, politics etc it weirdly didn’t seem too far-fetched and control being taken on the public by the state in 2035 when this is set, books banned and statues removed. Fern Dostoy was such an interesting complex character, mourning the loss of her old life as an author and her friends and partner that died in covid. Events unfold and Fern and a group of writers and readers find a way to get bedtime stories out to young children that are suffering because their parents could not read to them and they could not sleep.
There is such an incredible twist to the story I couldn’t believe it (in a good way!) and was truly shocked. This has me in tears and I didn’t want it to end, when I did finish the book it kept me thinking about it for ages after. The novel conjures up such vivid pictures I can imagine it as a film – I wonder if anyone has bought the rights to it yet as they should do!

Thanks for NetGalley and the publisher for a chance to read this book in exchange for an honest review. I must say I’ve read some amazing books published by #Hodder&Stoughton in the last few years, they really have the magic touch it seems and I really appreciate the opportunity to review the ARCs.
#EndofStory #NetGalley

Stunning, unexpected and one that has crept under my skin so I'll think of in the future again and again. I thought the Handmaid's tale impacted me the idea of fiction and writing being banned ripped out the core of me. They are my escape strategies and without them I'd be lost, lonely and desperate so witnessing Fern's life and horror of potential punishment was hide behind a cushion read.
As with all this author's work, it's immersive, the characters are real and provides an emotional read. Perfect for book clubs and a warning we should cherish and appreciate books more than we do

This is a real change of genre for Louise Beech (Swanson). I’ve enjoyed all of her books so far and this didn’t disappoint.
An unusual and well planned book, what an imagination this author has! And beautifully written as always, as if the words came right from her heart. Loved it!

I had such huge hopes for this book and was very excited to read it! The first issue was the formatting on my Kindle. I had to use Digital Editions to read it properly or deal with very frustrating poor formatting. The book started off great, it was intense and I could feel the stress of not being able to live without fiction or writing fiction. The idea is terrifying. I really liked the concept and that the MC was going against the government to still read and write fiction. I was excited to see where the book would go and wondered if there would be another as I was nearing the end and I didn't see an end coming. (Without giving spoilers) I wish I had stopped reading before part 5. This section of the book, and the ending, completely disappointed me. I was heartbroken with the route the author chose and did all I could to finish the book. The first 4 sections of the book are a 5, but because of the ending, I had to drop it down.

Lately I really am in dystopian stories especially if they are done in such an intruiging way!
Louise Swanson takes us into a society where fiction is forbidden and writers are enemies of the public. How disturbing and gripping!
This story catches you and doesn't let you go!

Thanks #Netgalley #Hodder & Stoughton for this ARC

This novel really affected me. Set in a near-future dystopian world where fiction is banned, it details the bland existence of Fern, a former prize-winning author now relegated to a mundane cleaning job. She finds her way to an underground group that reads bedtime stories over the phone to children and develops a relationship with a boy named Hunter. The tedium and low-level dread of Fern's life is changed by her participation in the group and I was surprised by the direction the novel took at the end.

I have reviewed End of Story for book recommendation site LoveReading.co.uk

I’ve chosen it as a Star Book and Liz Robinson pick of the month for its publication month.

Please see the link for full review.

Wow I really don’t know where to begin with this one. Although this is a 2023 book, I couldn’t wait to delve in and now I have months to wait before I can discuss this one.

Fern Dostoy is criminal– a fiction writer. Just imagine a world in which fiction is banned and novels are burnt.

The horror I’ve felt at this aspect, has resulted in me stroking my books and reminding those around me of the consequences of coming near my books. It’s a thought that terrifies me- a world without fiction novels.

However, Swanson takes us on a journey with Fern- writer, award winner, laureate. As a reader, you feel for her and can’t help but want to give her a great big cwtch because of her circumstances.

Once I’d got over the nightmare the author planted (burning of books), I devoured page after page. There are so many scary elements to this one, yet they are presented in a way which is completely imaginable and realistic.

As events in this one have unravelled, I’ve found myself completely speechless and unable to put this down. I’ve needed to know how this was going to play out. Swanson is a genius, this is a book that will completely pull the ground from under you. I have been completely speechless and unable to predict this.

I am in awe of how effortlessly this flows. Swanson is talented and this is a book which absolutely must be a bestseller. I can say nothing negative about this gem because it’s everything I had anticipated and so much more. This truly is a book worthy of all the stars.

A must for the TBR.

There’s going to be a day, soon - if not already - where this author’s work is going to be on school / university reading lists, End Of Story especially.
The humanity in this novel is a shining beacon.
In my eyes, a dystopian read - whether apocalyptic or post, totalitarian or even speculative - had to have a sense of all hope gone, but at the same time, some semblance of belief to cling to.
End Of Story is superbly written. I CARED massively about the characters.
This book is going to be a major hit.
Solid five stars.

Having read End of Story during the balmy days of October 2022, I could well believe the setting of a heatwave in November 2035. But that's not the only catastrophe that's happened. In another believable move, fiction has been banned by the government and only factual books are allowed to be sold and read. Parents could go to prison and have their children removed if they're caught telling them a bedtime story. For Fern Dostoy, a best-selling, award-winning author, this is more than a travesty. Her whole life is turned upside down as she's not allowed to acknowledge her previous success. She's also monitored on a regular basis to ensure she's no longer writing. But Fern is writing a diary, a secret one that reveals everything that's going on.

There's immediacy and intimacy in Louise Swanson.'s writing that captured me completely and drew me in. I was in the story with Fern, feeling everything that she was feeling. I could instantly relate to and feel her despair, not just for herself, but for everyone affected. Rather worryingly, I could imagine a time where fiction might be banned. A stunning book.

I absolutely loved the premise of this novel and the execution is excellent.

Louise Swanson has created a dystopian society where fiction is forbidden and writers are enemies of the public.
Despite finishing this book over a week ago, I can't stop thinking about the characters.

An intelligent, moving novel.

I read 1984 in the 70s, and Children of Men when it was published in, I think, 1991, so it intrigued me when an author whose work I hugely enjoy (as Louise Beech) decided to write her 9th novel as a futuristic one. Set not that many years away, though; indeed, someone of my vintage reading End of Story may well look at some elements and wince, but what Louise Swanson has actually done is add some pretty thought-provoking "what ifs" to a modern day catastrophe and turn them into a reality of the near future in this story of one woman's plight, trying to maintain the life she used to have. Some very poignant moments and some others that may leave you wanting to rage against the machine, but certainly a book that will linger long after the final page has been read.

My thanks to the publishers, Hodder, and Netgalley UK, for the advance review copy of this book and the opportunity to read prior to publication in March.

Very enjoyable book. It had a different storyline than I was expecting. Great character building. Would definitely recommend this book

This book inspires and scares in equal measure. End of story is set not so far in the future (2035) where books of fiction are banned, the protagonist, an award-winning writer Fern Dostoy, reveals how creativity has been banished. No books, no theatre and only factual programmes available and writers are no longer able to write and are closely monitored by sinister Government officials who regularly turn up unannounced. Fern befriends a delivery man who tries to tempt her with tea and biscuits and she is both intrigued and annoyed with him. With bedtime stories banned, children are deprived of storytelling but through a clandestine group, Fern gets a call from an eight year old boy Hunter and weekly, he calls for the latest instalment. The final quarter of the book springs quite a surprise. It is both redeeming and touching. A well-crafted and original story. A sombre read that is thought-provoking and for book lovers everywhere, a reminder of how much joy reading brings. Keep your enemies close, but your beloved books closer.

This is a book of two halves.
The first had me gripped in a world where fiction is banned and where our best selling heroine is observed constantly and cannot quite believe that her stories appear to be coming true. A dystopian nightmare of what could happen is stories were gone.
The second made me much more thoughtful and reflect, much more would spoil it.
Highly recommended.

Quitei a novel

Unique and frightening

I loved how vague it is in the sense that you don't know where this is all happening or where it could happen. that could be anywhere ! That is scary

A very unique read

THANKS TO NETGALLEY AND THE PUBLISHER FOR THIS REVIEW COPY IN EXCHANGE FOR AN HONEST REVIEW.

I jumped into this book without any expectations. I liked the blurb and the title looked cool so thought why not read it. The book is set in 2035, all fiction is banned and storytelling is illegal, the government punishes the people who disobey this law. All the famous former authors are being imprisoned in unknown places and ordered to keep low profiles. Big four were the last four famous books and one was written by Fern Dostoy, She wrote the book in grief after losing her husband. Now Fern is forced to do a low-wage job with another identity. Her life is so monotonous, the only change is two police inspectors who come to inspect her. However, it is impossible to erase the whole fiction from the minds of people. People are trying in one way or another to keep connected with stories that make it difficult for a former famous author to live in isolation.

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.

If you wanna read a dystopian mystery with a good amount of emotions then go ahead.

Genuinely think this will be one of the big titles for 2023. Such a clever concept. The writing is hauntingly beautiful, and done in a way that drags you head first into Louise Swanson’s world. It’s one that attracts and repels you for all the right reasons, not least of which are the opposing cast of characters who carry the story. Will be surprised if this isn’t still at least in my top 5 by the end of the year.

I'll start at the beginning and admit this book blew my socks off from the first pages. And — wow — the end of (the) story caught me completely unawares and alternating between gasping and wiping away tears.
Having read several of the author's novels under a different name, I knew her to be outstandingly talented. This nightmarish read (imagine a world where fiction is banned, and authors dealt with brutally for their 'crimes'), underlines again her ability to weave magic with words. And to create characters that will stay in your mind for a long time. As always, so many outstanding lines:
The voice is different when it reads. The words are different when lifted from the page. The air holds its breath when a story is told.
Discretion; I love that word. I formed it silently in my corner. I can be as discreet as soft net curtains hiding an illicit encounter.
I sensed the author bleeding out her heart and soul into this intense and thought-provoking tale. Memories, moments of pain spilling out across the pages, raw and real.
I don't want to say anything about the plot because you simply have to read this. Just be ready to put the rest of your life on hold when you do.

An atmospheric and highly original read; I really enjoyed this and did not see the twist coming. With a futuristic yet plausible plot, this story provides suspense as well showing insightful perspective on loss and grief. Very readable -I was completely gripped and will be looking out for more books by this author.