The Book of Lost Things
A Novel
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4.5 • 207 Ratings
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- $9.99
Publisher Description
New York Times bestselling author John Connolly's unique imagination takes readers through the end of innocence into adulthood and beyond in this dark and triumphantly creative novel of grief and loss, loyalty and love, and the redemptive power of stories.
High in his attic bedroom, twelve-year-old David mourns the death of his mother, with only the books on his shelf for company. But those books have begun to whisper to him in the darkness. Angry and alone, he takes refuge in his imagination and soon finds that reality and fantasy have begun to meld. While his family falls apart around him, David is violently propelled into a world that is a strange reflection of his own—populated by heroes and monsters and ruled by a faded king who keeps his secrets in a mysterious book, The Book of Lost Things.
Taking readers on a vivid journey through the loss of innocence into adulthood and beyond, New York Times bestselling author John Connolly tells a dark and compelling tale that reminds us of the enduring power of stories in our lives.
PUBLISHERS WEEKLY
Thriller writer Connolly (Every Dead Thing) turns from criminal fears to primal fears in this enchanting novel about a 12-year-old English boy, David, who is thrust into a realm where eternal stories and fairy tales assume an often gruesome reality. Books are the magic that speak to David, whose mother has died at the start of WWII after a long debilitating illness. His father remarries, and soon his stepmother is pregnant with yet another interloper who will threaten David's place in his father's life. When a portal to another world opens in time-honored fashion, David enters a land of beasts and monsters where he must undertake a quest if he is to earn his way back out. Connolly echoes many great fairy tales and legends (Little Red Riding Hood, Roland, Hansel and Gretel), but cleverly twists them to his own purposes. Despite horrific elements, this tale is never truly frightening, but is consistently entertaining as David learns lessons of bravery, loyalty and honor that all of us should learn.
Customer Reviews
Moving & Thoughtful
A wonderful book, particularly for a young adult who has experienced great loss. Not only a beautifully crafted story but also a thoughtful commentary on the power of stories in our lives - the inescapable nature of the stories we listen to, we give our attention to, that we give weight to - to shape our whole lives. In the face of great loss the book asks us to which narrative will we cling to see us through our grief? Will we be people of hope, love, honour? Or will we buy the empty promises of the trickster?
terrific tale
this is a great fairy tale book for adults splendid ride
Still a favorite
I read this book during my freshman year of high school and it was one of those books where I’d read it after I really should’ve been asleep (about 3 am most nights, just late enough that my dad would check on me while he was half-awake and say that it’d be nice if I could at least try to fix my sleeping schedule). And it hasn’t lost its spark for me. John Connolly was never a name I was familiar with and this was my first exposure to his writing, and Wow. He left an impression. My favorite chapter is the one with the three doctors, and no spoilers!! It’s gets really detailed with things I could’ve never imagined. If I ever get amnesia I pray to god I’ll be given a copy of this book and another chance to play The Last Of Us so I can experience them again for the first time.