The Last House on Needless Street

What red herrings does Ward use in The Last House on Needless Street? How do they impact our understanding of Ted Bannerman’s and Dee Walter’s respective situations?

The Last House on Needless Street contains two different worlds: the real world (“upstairs”) and the world Ted constructs in his mind as a place of refuge from his mother’s abuse (“downstairs” or “the weekend place”). What clues does Ward give to show when Ted transitions from one to another? As an adult, how does Ted use the weekend place to cope with reality?

The bug man’s role in the novel helps gain insight into Ted’s predicament. What do we know about the bug man? How does his “treatment” impact Ted’s mental health and his relationship with Lauren and Olivia?