The Book of Lost Things

The Book of Lost Things looks like a lot of things it isn't, but it is about those things.

I know that's a strange statement. The Book of Lost Things reads a lot like a children's book, and it reads a lot like a fairy tale, but it isn't really either. It concerns itself with the story of David, a young boy whose mother passes away before the story has begun. Struggling to come to terms with the loss and life as it continues on without her, he finds himself in a fairytale world – not a Disney fairytale world, but a darker, Grimm-esque one.

Without wanting to spoil anything for a new reader, the Book of Lost Things borrows liberally from traditional fairy tales, and assembles a new story using them as ingredients. Readable purely on a narrative level, there is a more complex layer underneath, one that – at least in the Kindle edition that I read – is explored in a lengthy afterword, including an interview with the author, as well as a rundown of the stories and themes from which Connolly borrows, written mostly by Connolly himself.

A smart book, smarter than I think it might get credit for. The afterword is worth reading in full.

There's a lot to say about this book and I cannot resist the impulse to bash it to be honest.

The metaphors, as few as they were, were meaningless. They made no sense!
The story was predictable in all its aspects.
the first 60% of the book dragged on and on and on.
The ending was meh.
The story was very disgusting and described disgustingly.
It wasn't dark as much as it was just plain gross.
I cringed inwardly a lot.
After the first 60%, it was nice reading it. I didn't feel as bored or tired as I felt earlier but that is not enough, to be frank. But it made me give it 2 stars instead of one.

Interesting take on the traditional coming of age story combined with slightly twisted fairy tale retellings. Loved the “new” versions of Snow White and the 7 dwarfs. Sleeping Beauty on the other hand seemed rather vague and empty.

Still trying to decide between 3 and 4 stars. Going to have to let this one roll around a bit more.

This was a great book about love and loss and facing one's fears. I liked the way David's wishes and fears influenced the kingdom as well as the interesting twists on the familiar fairy tales, myths and nursery stories. I especially liked the extensive section after the main story in which the author describes the origins of these stories, recommends some variations by other authors and then provides the original story.

I loved this book. I was on the verge of tears near the end. I don't want to spoil anything but I recommend you read it.

If you arent comfortable with fairy tale retellings where they're darker than the originals, probably skip this. If you're comfortable with that, enjoy the journey this takes you on.

At first it seems like The Book of Lost Things is going to be the usual type of ‘portal' fantasy, as I like to call it. Someone from our world being whisked away to another by various means and going on an adventure, like the Narnia books, Harry Potter, Alice in Wonderland, Wizard of Oz, Inkheart, etc. I like those types of fantasy, so The Book of Lost Things sounded right up my alley. What's different about it though, is how dark it is. It's not meant for kids. Not only in the fact of the gore, that although not over the top, is still very present, but also in the tone and themes. This is not a fun adventure, but a true coming-of-age story and all that that entails with the struggles and the uncertain decision making. The realization that the world is not a fair or very pleasant place, but what you do in the world can make all the difference in how you survive and live in it. It is actually quite poignant in its telling.
I didn't fall in love with the characters and that's the reason for the 4 stars. I liked the story, the world-building and the overall message it conveyed, but I had trouble really caring for the characters. The main character was fine, just not a very great or memorable one.
The Book of Lost Things is a really good book, not great, but well worth reading if you like portal fantasy with a dark twist and meaningful things to say.

Nuori David kohtaa jokaisen lapsen pahimman painajaisen: hänen äitinsä kuolee. Elämää isän kanssa varjostavat paitsi päälle käyvä toinen maailmansota ja isän velvollisuudet, myös isän uusi puoliso Rose ja uusi velipuoli. David pakenee vihaisuuttaan ja yksinäisyyttään kirjoihin.

Jossain vaiheessa kirjat alkavat kuiskutella Davidille. Pian kirjojen maailma alkaa tulla liiankin lähelle. Lopulta David ei voi enää vastustaa, vaan löytää itsensä kummallisesta maailmasta, jossa mielikuvitus on valloillaan ja metsä uhkaavia ja tarunomaisia vaaroja täynnä. Jossain kaukana asuu kuningas, joka saattaa kyetä palauttamaan Davidin takaisin omaan maailmaansa, joten ei auta kuin lähteä matkaan.

Tarinan ainekset ovat kuin sadusta aina pahaa äitipuolta myöten. David kohtaakin matkansa varrella monia saduista tuttuja tarinoita, mutta kummallisesti vääristyneinä, usein aikaisempaa kauhistuttavampaan suuntaan. Huumoriakin sentään riittää. Kirjasta on sellaisiakin painoksia, joissa lopussa Connolly käy läpi lähdemateriaalinsa ja mukana on alkuperäiset versiot kaikista kierrätetyistä saduista; suosittelen sellaista, mikäli sadut ovat päässeet unohtumaan.

Pohjimmiltaan The Book of Lost Things on kasvukertomus, jossa nuori poika kohtaa suuren menetyksen ja surun ja sen kautta kasvaa aikuisuuteen. Kuten sadut usein ovat, tämäkin tarina sisältää paljon symboliikkaa ja vertauskuvia. Samalla se on nopealukuinen, kiehtova ja mukaansatempaava. Ahkeraa lukijaa lämmittää lisäksi aina kirjallisuuden vahva asema tarinassa, niin nytkin.

The Book of Lost Things onkin kaikinpuolin ehdottomasti tutustumisen arvoinen kirja ja olen suorastaan hieman yllättynyt, ettei tätä ole jo suomennettu. (6.6.2009)