Verdict
The Keeper of Lost Things is a book I may read again. I think this novel would be great the 2nd time around, especially as the reader becomes more aware of the subtleties within the story. It is also hard not to cheer for the characters in this book as they navigate their lives. Different relationships were explored throughout the story and it was interesting navigating how each of these unfolded.
This book once again exposed my usual struggle with two different timelines with different set of characters. I always find it hard to follow, especially if the set of characters introduced at the onset is already composed of a number of people. Nevertheless, once I settled in on the characters, this was really an enjoyable book. A light read with bits of magical realism.
My favorite quote from this book was:
Don’t keep punishing yourself for things you did then, but don’t use them as an excuse either. You have a chance now to make a really good life. Grab it by the balls and get on with it.”
Summary
From Amazon webpage –
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.
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?
Write-up
In one of the timelines, we meet Laura who is struggling with her life. A series of setbacks, including a divorce, left her with very low self esteem and a person always questioning her choices. But her luck changed once she set foot in Padua, where she worked as an assistant to Anthony. Everything else unfolded after this – from the gift of house to the very difficult task of reuniting some of the things Anthony has collected to its owners. The highlight of this timeline, for me, is when the trio of Laura, Freddy and Sunshine take center stage. I found their dynamics very charming. Again, hard not to cheer for these characters.
The second timeline involves Eunice, Bomber and his quirky family. Honestly, I was a bit anxious at the start trying to figure out how the two timelines would intersect that I may have missed out on some details during the early chapters. At one point, I even had confused the dog’s name to Bomber’s father. But, this story has unrequited love in it. Eunice and Bomber’s dynamics is definitely something you wish for in a relationship. Bomber’s family is the bulk of this timeline, with his parents’ story quite the heartbreaker. Alzheimers can really be a game changer in the relationship.
The two timelines intersected, for me, in an unexpected way but a good closure for the narrative. It was nice to see Laura and Eunice share a moment.
Inside the narrative, the reader also encounters short stories talking about the lost things kept by Anthony. This was interesting and adequately spaced such that I was not really distracted from reading. I personally liked the stories of the red umbrella and the bone china cup and saucer.
My Cyber Pensieve 