HomeGroupsTalkMoreZeitgeist
Search Site
This site uses cookies to deliver our services, improve performance, for analytics, and (if not signed in) for advertising. By using LibraryThing you acknowledge that you have read and understand our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy. Your use of the site and services is subject to these policies and terms.

Results from Google Books

Click on a thumbnail to go to Google Books.

The Keeper of Lost Things: the perfect…
Loading...

The Keeper of Lost Things: the perfect uplifting read - winner of the Richard & Judy Readers' Award and Sunday Times bestseller (original 2017; edition 2017)

by Ruth Hogan (Author)

MembersReviewsPopularityAverage ratingMentions
1,8951018,952 (3.74)58
A charming, clever, and quietly moving debut novel of of endless possibilities and joyful discoveries that explores the promises we make and break, losing and finding ourselves, the objects that hold magic and meaning for our lives, and the surprising connections that bind us. Lime green plastic flower-shaped hair bobbles--Found, on the playing field, Derrywood Park, 2nd September. Bone china cup and saucer--Found, on a bench in Riveria Public Gardens, 31st October. Anthony Peardew is the keeper of lost things. Forty years ago, he carelessly lost a keepsake from his beloved fiancée, Therese. That very same day, she died unexpectedly. Brokenhearted, Anthony sought consolation in rescuing lost objects--the things others have dropped, misplaced, or accidently left behind--and writing stories about them. Now, in the twilight of his life, Anthony worries that he has not fully discharged his duty to reconcile all the lost things with their owners. As the end nears, he bequeaths his secret life's mission to his unsuspecting assistant, Laura, leaving her his house and and all its lost treasures, including an irritable ghost. Recovering from a bad divorce, Laura, in some ways, is one of Anthony's lost things. But when the lonely woman moves into his mansion, her life begins to change. She finds a new friend in the neighbor's quirky daughter, Sunshine, and a welcome distraction in Freddy, the rugged gardener. As the dark cloud engulfing her lifts, Laura, accompanied by her new companions, sets out to realize Anthony's last wish: reuniting his cherished lost objects with their owners. Long ago, Eunice found a trinket on the London pavement and kept it through the years. Now, with her own end drawing near, she has lost something precious--a tragic twist of fate that forces her to break a promise she once made. As the Keeper of Lost Objects, Laura holds the key to Anthony and Eunice's redemption. But can she unlock the past and make the connections that will lay their spirits to rest? Full of character, wit, and wisdom, The Keeper of Lost Things is heartwarming tale that will enchant fans of The Particular Sadness of Lemon Cake, Garden Spells, Mrs Queen Takes the Train, and The Silver Linings Playbook.… (more)
Member:witterjig
Title:The Keeper of Lost Things: the perfect uplifting read - winner of the Richard & Judy Readers' Award and Sunday Times bestseller
Authors:Ruth Hogan (Author)
Info:Two Roads (2017), Edition: 01, 320 pages
Collections:Your library
Rating:**
Tags:None

Work Information

The Keeper of Lost Things by Ruth Hogan (2017)

Loading...

Sign up for LibraryThing to find out whether you'll like this book.

No current Talk conversations about this book.

» See also 58 mentions

English (98)  French (2)  Dutch (1)  All languages (101)
Showing 1-5 of 98 (next | show all)
This was a delightful read by English author Ruth Hogan that is part romance, part mystery, part humour and part ghost story.

Anthony Peardew is the keeper of lost things, an ageing author who was broken-hearted when he lost a keepsake forty years ago that was given to him by his beloved fiancé Therese. Therese mysteriously died on the same day, and Anthony undertook, as a kind of penance, to find other lost things and try to return them to their owners.

Laura is a young woman recovering from a failed marriage. She goes to work for Anthony as a housekeeper. On his death he leaves her the beautiful house Pardua, and entrusts her to continue his mission. Along the way she is joined by Sunshine, a 19 year old neighbour who is often ignored due to her Down’s Syndrome, but has remarkably good instincts. There is also the ruggedly handsome gardener Freddy who Laura feels attracted to despite him having a snooty girlfriend. Lastly there is the resident ghost trying to put in her 5 cents worth.

A parallel storyline begins in 1974 with spinster Eunice, going to apply for a job at a publisher’s office. This is a life changing moment as she and Bomber, the publisher, and his rescue dog Douglas form a tight team

The book takes lots of side deviations into the stories behind the missing objects, but these are enjoyable meanderings. This was a beautifully written book that was an easy and pleasant read. ( )
  mimbza | Jun 10, 2024 |
Spoilers Abound
Don't Read if you don't want Spoilers
Spoilers Abound
Blank space
I want to write a word. I don't know why I read this book to the end. In my opinion this book panders to those of us who want to believe in human connections and happy endings. Everything fits together neatly.
And I'm still a little unsure -- were the little stories true, somehow divined by the man who wrote them? Or were they in his style but the real truth that he didn't know? Because if he knew then why would he keep things like the friendship bracelet from the rapist/teacher?
My biggest complaint/concern/criticism is, of course, the mystical powers endowed on Sunshine.
Sincerely, Fran ( )
  franoscar | Apr 4, 2024 |
Oh, boy. This was lovely. There were parts that I worried might turn too dark, but trust me -- they are not. Just enough shadow to give definition and plausibility to this very magical story. If you are a fan of Sarah Addison Allen or Ellen Herrick, you'll almost certainly like this. Especially if you are an Anglophile, like I am. ( )
  BethOwl | Jan 24, 2024 |
It would be easy to pick this book apart, and some have. I decided to just give in and accept the unlikely set-up, and found the book quite charming! ( )
  Kim.Sasso | Aug 27, 2023 |
An easy read without much excitement or real stakes. The stories behind each of the lost items are overdone. Thanks to the character, Sunshine, the book has some memorable passages. Otherwise, pretty forgettable. ( )
  bookappeal | Aug 25, 2023 |
Showing 1-5 of 98 (next | show all)
no reviews | add a review

» Add other authors (2 possible)

Author nameRoleType of authorWork?Status
Ruth Hoganprimary authorall editionscalculated
Balkenhol, MarionTranslatorsecondary authorsome editionsconfirmed
Beck, RufusNarratorsecondary authorsome editionsconfirmed
Collingwood, JaneNarratorsecondary authorsome editionsconfirmed
Duncan, SandraNarratorsecondary authorsome editionsconfirmed
Le Bœuf, ChristineTranslatorsecondary authorsome editionsconfirmed
Moya Valle, Antonio PrometeoTranslatorsecondary authorsome editionsconfirmed
Nunes, IsabelTranslatorsecondary authorsome editionsconfirmed
Spindler, FredrikaTranslatorsecondary authorsome editionsconfirmed
Tuomi-Giddings, SusannaTranslatorsecondary authorsome editionsconfirmed
Van Toorn, SonjaTranslatorsecondary authorsome editionsconfirmed
You must log in to edit Common Knowledge data.
For more help see the Common Knowledge help page.
Canonical title
Original title
Alternative titles
Original publication date
People/Characters
Important places
Important events
Related movies
Epigraph
But he, that dares not grasp the thorn
Should never crave the rose.

--Anne Bronte
Dedication
To Bill, my faithful wingman, and Princess Tilly Bean
First words
Charles Bramwell Brockley was travelling alone and without a ticket on the 14.42 from London Bridge to Brighton.
Quotations
Last words
(Click to show. Warning: May contain spoilers.)
Disambiguation notice
Publisher's editors
Blurbers
Original language
Canonical DDC/MDS
Canonical LCC

References to this work on external resources.

Wikipedia in English

None

A charming, clever, and quietly moving debut novel of of endless possibilities and joyful discoveries that explores the promises we make and break, losing and finding ourselves, the objects that hold magic and meaning for our lives, and the surprising connections that bind us. Lime green plastic flower-shaped hair bobbles--Found, on the playing field, Derrywood Park, 2nd September. Bone china cup and saucer--Found, on a bench in Riveria Public Gardens, 31st October. Anthony Peardew is the keeper of lost things. Forty years ago, he carelessly lost a keepsake from his beloved fiancée, Therese. That very same day, she died unexpectedly. Brokenhearted, Anthony sought consolation in rescuing lost objects--the things others have dropped, misplaced, or accidently left behind--and writing stories about them. Now, in the twilight of his life, Anthony worries that he has not fully discharged his duty to reconcile all the lost things with their owners. As the end nears, he bequeaths his secret life's mission to his unsuspecting assistant, Laura, leaving her his house and and all its lost treasures, including an irritable ghost. Recovering from a bad divorce, Laura, in some ways, is one of Anthony's lost things. But when the lonely woman moves into his mansion, her life begins to change. She finds a new friend in the neighbor's quirky daughter, Sunshine, and a welcome distraction in Freddy, the rugged gardener. As the dark cloud engulfing her lifts, Laura, accompanied by her new companions, sets out to realize Anthony's last wish: reuniting his cherished lost objects with their owners. Long ago, Eunice found a trinket on the London pavement and kept it through the years. Now, with her own end drawing near, she has lost something precious--a tragic twist of fate that forces her to break a promise she once made. As the Keeper of Lost Objects, Laura holds the key to Anthony and Eunice's redemption. But can she unlock the past and make the connections that will lay their spirits to rest? Full of character, wit, and wisdom, The Keeper of Lost Things is heartwarming tale that will enchant fans of The Particular Sadness of Lemon Cake, Garden Spells, Mrs Queen Takes the Train, and The Silver Linings Playbook.

No library descriptions found.

Book description
Haiku summary

Current Discussions

None

Popular covers

Quick Links

Rating

Average: (3.74)
0.5 1
1 6
1.5 1
2 26
2.5 7
3 94
3.5 44
4 165
4.5 17
5 80

Is this you?

Become a LibraryThing Author.

 

About | Contact | Privacy/Terms | Help/FAQs | Blog | Store | APIs | TinyCat | Legacy Libraries | Early Reviewers | Common Knowledge | 207,206,805 books! | Top bar: Always visible