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mysterymom40's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.25
Moderate: Chronic illness, Miscarriage, Physical abuse, Sexual assault, Death, Toxic relationship, Fire/Fire injury, Domestic abuse, and Ableism
tatjanasbooks's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
3.5
Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Pedophilia, Ableism, Dementia, Sexual assault, and Toxic relationship
Moderate: Suicide and Death
itsbumley's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Terminal illness, Suicide, Sexual violence, Sexual assault, Pregnancy, Miscarriage, Mental illness, Infidelity, Infertility, Death of parent, Dementia, Death, Domestic abuse, Cancer, Animal death, Child abuse, and Chronic illness
ems_rxlibrary's review
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Moderate: Sexual assault
lilifane's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
It's wholesome, heart-warming, whimsical, magical even, cute, cozy, British, tooth rotting sweet... and I loved it. It was exactly what I needed this weekend. It also deals with some heavy topics like death, Alzheimer's, loss and grief in general, but it still has this positive vibe throughout the whole book.
The keeper of lost things is an old gentleman called Anthony. He's a writer and one day a tragic event made him be obsessed with lost things. Whenever he finds something on his walks/journeys someone else lost, he takes it home with him and catalogues it in order to return it to the rightful owner. As he fails to do this, he starts writing short stories about the lost items instead. His last wish is for his middle-aged housekeeper Laura to take over the task and return at least some of the object to their owners. Laura, the gardener Freddie and the neighbour's daughter Sunshine, who has down syndrome, then try to fulfill Anthony's wish.
In a second plot line we get the story of Bomber, a publisher, and his assistant Eunice, following them for years. Additionally, both plots are interwoven with short stories about the lost items.
It might sound a little chaotic, but I really liked this structure and in the end everything came together beautifully.
All the characters in this book are kind of lost, and they not only find each other but also themselves. I LOVED this theme that really connected every detail in this book. The writing might not be very outstanding, it's very, very sweet and whimsical and... repetitive. So don't expect too much.
I'm a little conflicted about Sunshine, though. There are a lot of things I like about her representation. She's a great and lovable character, portrayed in such a respectful way in my opinion. She is probably the character with the most agency in the whole book, she takes initiative, keeps the plot going. There even is a discussion about prejudices against people with Down Syndrome and how to not treat them. But then she's the only character with a "special ability", being able to sense/predict things? I mean it fits with the tone and atmosphere of the story, but it still feels like people with disabilities need an additional talent to be part of the story. I don't know. Maybe I'm overthinking it.
So yeah, it's not a very deep book or a masterpiece or a must-read, but great to escape reality for a bit.
Graphic: Animal death, Death, Death of parent, Dementia, and Grief
Minor: Pedophilia, Sexual assault, and Infidelity
ebosscher's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
Moderate: Dementia
Minor: Sexual assault and Toxic relationship