Reviews with content warning for Death of parent - The Keeper of Lost Things

This book started out with lots of promise and I rather enjoyed the varying POVs and timelines throughout the book. The addition of the items' origin stories was also a lovely concept and the first half of the book really drew me in and made me yearn for more.

I won't lie and say I loved all the characters, as Laura's stubbornness and Sunshine's unwavering innocence and chirpiness really grated on me, but I did enjoy Anthony's character as well as Eunice and Bomber.

Other than that I'm afraid the book went downhill in my opinion. The whole inclusion of the

spectre

in the latter half of the book just spoiled this book for me and the whole thing would have felt far more believable and compelling without it. Because of this, it felt rushed and weak.

The whole thing really spoiled the book for me and, though the writing was good and there was merit behind the idea, the execution felt too implausible and forced. As if the story and characters could not carry it on their own shoulders and needed some ethereal Deus-ex-Machina to propel them to action.

CONTENT WARNING: Death, Cursing, Infidelity, Suicide, Domestic abuse, Toxic Relationship, Minor Violence, Death of a parent

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bebidocrimes's review against another edition

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lighthearted slow-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Plot
Strong character development? It's complicated
Loveable characters? No
Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.0

I picked this book up cause the cover is adorable and the synopsis seemed cute, plus I was hoping for a quick read. It was light enough that it didn't drag on but it didn't feel like there was a lot of substance. The lost things' stories were neat, but Laura's story seemed very self-pitying. The romance was hinted at and then all of a sudden was established, like it was just a requirement to keep the story moving.

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lilifane's review against another edition

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adventurous emotional funny hopeful inspiring lighthearted mysterious reflective relaxing sad slow-paced

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

This book feels like a warm and cozy blanket and a lovely cup of tea.
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.

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