logo

70 pages 2 hours read

Catriona Ward

The Last House on Needless Street

Catriona WardFiction | Novel | Adult | Published in 2021

A modern alternative to SparkNotes and CliffsNotes, SuperSummary offers high-quality Study Guides with detailed chapter summaries and analysis of major themes, characters, and more.

Important Quotes

Quotation Mark Icon

“When I have a bad day, now and then get slippery.”


(Chapter 1, Page 17)

Part of Ted’s unreliable narration is derived from his inability to clearly delineate the past and the present. Consequently, Ted’s world is “haunted” by visions of his childhood—especially his mother’s presence. This is also an indication of the trauma Ted experienced and of his dissociative identity disorder.

Quotation Mark Icon

“A soft white glow gathered on his chest over the place where his heart must be. The glow became a cord, reaching out through the air.”


(Chapter 2, Page 21)

The bond between Olivia and Ted is symbolized by a golden cord that connects them. Olivia can see it, but Ted cannot. The appearance the cord takes on reflects their mood and the way Olivia feels about their relationship at any given moment. As the part of Ted’s personality directly responsible for his emotional health, the cord represents how well Ted is taking care of himself in that moment.

Quotation Mark Icon

“Breaking me, then mending me, over and over—that was my mother.”


(Chapter 3, Page 36)

This passage is a very early indication of the horrific abuse that Ted endured as a child at his mother’s hands. Mrs. Bannerman forces Ted to give up the wooden cat keychain on the pretense of preparing him for dealing with loss later in life. However, it is another form of the psychological abuse that she inflicts on him, breaking his will to accept his position and keeping him emotionally dependent on her.

blurred text
blurred text
blurred text
blurred text
Unlock IconUnlock all 70 pages of this Study Guide

Plus, gain access to 8,450+ more expert-written Study Guides.

Including features:

+ Mobile App
+ Printable PDF
+ Literary AI Tools