The Book of Lost Things

I must admit to not thinking the subject matter of this book would fascinate me. I don't typically enjoy books I think will be heavy on mythological references, and that's what I expected from Mr. Connolly's latest.I bought the book a month ago on the strength of my respect for Mr. Connolly's writing, and the book sat on my shelf whilst I finished at least nine other books. All the while, I kept glancing at it, both wanting to read it and fearing I'd not like it. Finally, like David's books in the story Connolly weaves for us, this one called to me, spoke to me of its contents, and I took it off the shelf and began to read.Began and finished in less than 36 hours, as I was unable to put it down any longer than it would take to dine with a friend, teach a class, make a meal, or get some much-needed shuteye.If you're hesitant to pick this one up because it's not part of the Charlie Parker series, stop hesitating and do it. I don't think you'll be disappointed.There are so many beautifully-crafted images and themes running throughout this story that it's hard to pick just a few, and harder still to do so without revealing important plot elements and thus negatively affecting other readers' experiences.The language is wonderful. Mr. Connolly is always good at using English to weave wonderful word-paintings, but he's especially good in this novel. Several times, I found myself awestruck by the clarity of my mental pictures. For me, that only happens when a writer creates something powerfully descriptive and evocative.The characters are similarly finely-drawn, and from the start, I cared about them, wanted to learn more about them, was both excited and solicitous (or horror-struck and appalled, as the characters demanded) as their journeys unfolded.I found myself recalling many of the myths I'd read as a child, and that alone was incredible. I didn't realize how much I'd read back then, or how those memories could surface when confronted with Mr. Connolly's references and embellishments.I loved sharing young David's journey even though at times I found it as bloody and nightmarish as Charlie Parker's has been; each step David took seemed to be mine as well, each realization hitting me almost as hard as it hit him. That's saying something, since one of the main themes of this book--the loss of a loved one, and the longing, guilt, and jealousy that can come after such a loss--isn't new to most of us. It's the way that David journeys to self-awareness that makes all the difference. His healing and his newfound compassion for people he'd previously dismissed or disparaged, even considered betraying, are all the more meaningful because of how hard-won they are. His courage, too, reminds me of how powerful even a child's spirit can be. He rises to each challenge and becomes a man in the course of his travels, both the literal ones and the ones of his spirit.I was sad at book's end, mostly because I wanted more, but David's journey was done. I hope to share it with other people as soon as the book is out in paperback. Right now I don't want to hand anyone my hardcover copy; it's still very close to my heart, and it isn't going anywhere just yet!Give this one a go; don't compare it to the Parker series or to Mr. Connolly's shorter writings. Open it up; accept it on its own terms; let it into your heart. ENJOY.

The story begins with David, obsessing over his “routine” (see: OCD) that he believes will save his mother from her life threatening illness. Unfortunately, David is unable to save her and his mother succumbs to the illness and dies. Some time after (side note: a little TOO soon after the death of David’s mother, if you ask me) David’s father remarries a woman named Rose and nine months later she gives birth to a son. It is around this time that David begins having “episodes,” moments where he blacks out and wakes up with no recollection of what happened while he was asleep. Poor David feels as if he is all alone in the world, as his father is working for the government and therefore is never home. So David is stuck in Rose’s giant house with just Rose, (who he loathes) and his new brother Georgie for company. David does his best to avoid these two and instead buries his nose in his books, as they remind him of his mother.Rose tries her best to make David feel comfortable, and even gives her the room of her late uncle, Jonathan Tulvey. The room is filled with Jonathan’s books and trinkets and David takes comfort in seeing that someone is as connected to stories as he is. David becomes curious and asks Rose about Jonathan and she explains that when he was younger he and his little sister vanished into thin air one day. David becomes intrigued by this and as time passes he begins to hear the books in his room talk to him, and he begins to dream of a very sinister man, whom he names “The Crooked Man.” These dreams become twisted with reality and as time passes, David travels to another world in which the fairy tale characters he has grown up reading about exist. However, these characters are not the same kind and caring versions that he has grown up to love. They are sinister and grim versions, each twisted into a new form.These characters were one of the absolute best parts of the story. I don’t want to spoil the fun for you so I will just touch upon some awesomeness. First, Snow White is a fat, disgusting and mean person. Second, Ever wonder where werewolves came from? Little Red Riding Hood had some issues with bestiality (I promise the story does NOT go into detail at this point, thank goodness, because, EW.) and the Crooked Man is quite possibly one of the creepiest villains I have yet to encounter (Rumple who?) There was also a rather kind woodsman, a loyal knight and an extremely creepy Sleeping “Beauty” thrown into the mix. All of these characters David met on his journey to see the King, the ruler of the land, who was having a very hard time ruling. David learns something from each encounter and it is through these extremely trying situations that the reader is able to see him grow from a spoiled, selfish child into a mature and kind young man.When pondering the setting to this story I realized how unique John Connolly writes. Ultimately, he was just writing about a vast forest, a small town, and a few huge castles. Yet, in my mind I saw a darkness creeping from the corners of my imagination toward David. I saw lights extinguishing behind him as he walked down the long corridor, I saw the trees sway when there was no wind. These are things Connolly simply hinted at yet I was able to pick up on these subtle images and make them into something that made me afraid as if I was the one walking through this land.The Book of Lost Things is harrowing and phenomenal. I haven’t been so enthralled by a novel of this genre since reading The Child Thief by Brom. It was deeply imaginative and sinister enough to have even the bravest adult looking over their shoulder while reading.