Review: The Keeper of Lost Things by Ruth Hogan

Posted July 21, 2017 by Charlotte in Reviews / 2 Comments

Keeper of Lost Things by Ruth Hogan
Review: The Keeper of Lost Things by Ruth HoganThe Keeper of Lost Things by Ruth Hogan
Published by Two Roads on January 26th 2017
Genres: Contemporary, Fantasy, Fiction
Pages: 320
Format: Hardback
Source: Netgalley, Publisher
Buy on Amazon
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A charming, clever, and quietly moving debut novel of of endless possibilities and joyful discoveries that explores the promises we make and break, losing and finding ourselves, the objects that hold magic and meaning for our lives, and the surprising connections that bind us.

Lime green plastic flower-shaped hair bobbles—Found, on the playing field, Derrywood Park, 2nd September.

Bone china cup and saucer—Found, on a bench in Riveria Public Gardens, 31st October.

Anthony Peardew is the keeper of lost things. Forty years ago, he carelessly lost a keepsake from his beloved fiancée, Therese. That very same day, she died unexpectedly. Brokenhearted, Anthony sought consolation in rescuing lost objects—the things others have dropped, misplaced, or accidentally left behind—and writing stories about them. Now, in the twilight of his life, Anthony worries that he has not fully discharged his duty to reconcile all the lost things with their owners. As the end nears, he bequeaths his secret life’s mission to his unsuspecting assistant, Laura, leaving her his house and and all its lost treasures, including an irritable ghost.

Recovering from a bad divorce, Laura, in some ways, is one of Anthony’s lost things. But when the lonely woman moves into his mansion, her life begins to change. She finds a new friend in the neighbor’s quirky daughter, Sunshine, and a welcome distraction in Freddy, the rugged gardener. As the dark cloud engulfing her lifts, Laura, accompanied by her new companions, sets out to realize Anthony’s last wish: reuniting his cherished lost objects with their owners.

Long ago, Eunice found a trinket on the London pavement and kept it through the years. Now, with her own end drawing near, she has lost something precious—a tragic twist of fate that forces her to break a promise she once made.

As the Keeper of Lost Objects, Laura holds the key to Anthony and Eunice’s redemption. But can she unlock the past and make the connections that will lay their spirits to rest?

Full of character, wit, and wisdom, The Keeper of Lost Things is heartwarming tale that will enchant fans of The Particular Sadness of Lemon Cake, Garden Spells, Mrs Queen Takes the Train, and The Silver Linings Playbook.

When I first started reading The Keeper of Lost Things, I wasn’t sure whether this was the book for me. There was a sense of whimsicalness about it. Of opportunity and fulfilment. Needless to say that after a couple of chapters I was drawn in like the rest of the lost property in this book.

Anthony is the keeper of lost things, he has spent most of life picking up stray items, taking them home and ling labelling them with the aim to reunite them with their owners. When he dies he leaves this task to Laura, his housekeeper. Alongside this story we have the story of Eunice and Bomber – a publicist and his assistant running from the late seventies to the present day.

I loved how these two stories were interwoven with each other and how we also go flashbacks to how certain items came to be lost – the blue jigsaw piece one was hilarious. The friendship bracelet story heartbreaking. And the china cup story heartwarming. It’s funny to think how such small items can have such history and impact on those around.

The Keeper of Lost Things has a gentle charm about it, which can delight the reader and draw you in. We touch on a whole range of themes – there is a love story, a little bit of magic, a wayward ghost, and adventure however small. The author also explores what it means to be family, to experience loss and different relationships. This is done with charm and feeling.

This is a beautiful debut. And a book that I wished I had picked up earlier. I loved Laura and how over the book she grew. How her relationship with Freddy, the gardener bloomed as he took an interest in the lost things. And how she allowed Sunny into her life.

This is a book filled with beautiful moments, charm and delight. This is a book that I promise you can pick up and just enjoy.

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