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The Keeper of Lost Things: A Novel
The Keeper of Lost Things: A Novel
The Keeper of Lost Things: A Novel
Audiobook8 hours

The Keeper of Lost Things: A Novel

Written by Ruth Hogan

Narrated by Jane Collingwood and Sandra Duncan

Rating: 4 out of 5 stars

4/5

()

About this audiobook

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.

LanguageEnglish
PublisherHarperAudio
Release dateFeb 21, 2017
ISBN9780062660541
Author

Ruth Hogan

Ruth Hogan is the author of several bestselling novels, including The Keeper of Lost Things. She lives north of London in a chaotic Victorian house with her husband and a much-loved pack of rescue dogs.

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Reviews for The Keeper of Lost Things

Rating: 4.126816884229651 out of 5 stars
4/5

1,376 ratings117 reviews

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  • Rating: 3 out of 5 stars
    3/5
    Anthony has long collected 'lost' things, carefully labelled with where and when they were found. Laura becomes his assistant, but doesn't discover the lost things until after his death. It becomes her responsibility to try to reunite them with their owner - ably assisted by Sunshine and Freddy.Interwoven with this, rather confusingly and tenuously, is the story of Eunice and Bomber.This is an OK story, but with a strange premise, and even stranger development of the story and an obvious ending.

    1 person found this helpful

  • Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
    4/5
    A curious story that presents flawed characters trying to find their path and a unique connection to lost items. Each found item has a storyline. Bittersweet and kept me wondering how the threads would come together. Well done!

    1 person found this helpful

  • Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
    4/5
    Gosh. 4 stars, bc it's a very good, very well-written, version of the type of book it is.... But honestly, i don't know how to express the two competing reviews that i feel for this story. It's exactly like the dispute between the two publishing houses in the book itself. (How meta!) Part of me was hooked, engaged, and listened right thru to the very end. On the team of Bruce, who says that readers don't want to have to think complicated thoughts... the clever tale with its creative, well-crafted plot and mostly endearing characters was like the lovely cup of tea. Lots of fun film references and rescued dogs. Clearly this author loves dogs. Sweet and satisfying. andddd
    On the team of B&E, who relished complexity and truth- telling, the other part of me rolled my eyes quite frequently at the bright primary colors of the palette of rather clichéd story lines, including the soupy romantic "lost love" at the heart of the book (the film "Love Story" from the 70s comes to mind... i cried buckets over it *when i was 13*) -- and surfacey, almost blithe, side treatment of quite a few actually horrifiying situations. It's really a mixed bag. I think it's very British pop lit in a way that i didn't quite jive with. I lost my dad to dementia too, and wasnt allowed to speak at the funeral either... and it feels cheap to find that subject matter as an emo wrenching, but somehow humorous, plot turn in a book that's mostly young adult fluff. So I guess this just isn't a good *genre* fit for me... really more of a cat person! I still very much prefer Virginia Woolf &c, though this book was like a perfectly lovely date I'll remember fondly, with someone who's clearly really nice and smart and engagingly fun, and "it could never work for us" because of an impossible cultural divide.
  • Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
    5/5
    This mysterious story captivated my attention with its colorful descriptive words and its excellently woven tale, which brought everything to a climax in a very unexpected way. If you like beginnings and endings that bring new beginnings, you will enjoy this tale of lost, found, death, life, faith, redemption, and love.
  • Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
    4/5
    I loved the idea of this book. It was slow at times, but it really made me think about random things I’ve found or seen. I love the idea that everything, no matter how small has a story. I think that’s such an important thing to know.
  • Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
    5/5
    Fantastic story. Many little stories come together in a very charming manner.
  • Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
    5/5
    I loved this from the first page to the last. It exceeded all my expectations and is a lovely read.
  • Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
    5/5
    beautiful absolutely stunning has got to be one of the best books on my shelf
  • Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
    5/5
    Sweet book, an easy listen and felt like a little time machine. Great narrator.
  • Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
    5/5
    This book absolutely spoke to my soul I love it!
  • Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
    4/5
    Adorable , quirky and fun novel with the right amount of “spirit” that kept me entertained throughout!
  • Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
    5/5
    Delightful,romantic,funny, intriguing and beautifully written.I highly recommended this book. Now I will listen to another by Ms.Hogan!
  • Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
    5/5
    Loved this book..and the narration was absolutely outstanding great book
  • Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
    5/5
    Excellent story!! Unique and cleverly written. I enjoyed every bit of it and will be recommending it to friends and my book clubs.
  • Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
    5/5
    What a great story and storytelling. The characters were great and the premise unique. It was good beginning to end.
  • Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
    5/5
    I was a bit confused at first but now I love it, it did the thing where it comes around back at the end and had a incredible ending. A truly good story
  • Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
    5/5
    Without a doubt the most charming and daffy book I've ever read. It has very British humour so maybe not for everyone, but it had me guffawing out loud on trains and in other public places. It's also a ghost story and a romance set in the past and the present, all woven together with a hefty dose of imagination. I miss the characters already.
  • Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
    4/5
    I really enjoyed this book. It was very interesting and hard to stop listening to. The reader of the book did a very good job. Enjoyed bothe very much
  • Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
    5/5
    Everything! A lovely tale! Creative, inspiring, smart, and witty!


  • Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
    5/5
    Beautifully written and read! I‘m only sorry I‘ve already finished it!
  • Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
    5/5
    The reading was beautifully executed and the story was charming!
  • Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
    5/5
    What a story. Witty funny and genuine drama of so many lives
  • Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
    5/5
    Beautiful writing. Beautiful story. Loved every minute. Very heartwarming. If you need a pick me up, read this book.
  • Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
    5/5
    Absolutely lovely!!!!!! It makes you laugh, cry, sight in melancholy and hope. This book is definitely one TO KEEP!
  • Rating: 3 out of 5 stars
    3/5
    I enjoyed the characters and how they intertwined. Also makes me think a little more about “lost things”. Even a lost puzzle piece might mean something to someone.
  • Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
    5/5
    This was a lovely story and I really enjoyed each minute of it!
  • Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
    5/5
    This was the easily the best book that I have read for the year!!!! I loved the story, was captivated by the plot and adored the characters. I especially loved how the author seamlessly interwove several stories into one. It felt like I was at a literary buffet. The unfolding of the lives of Eunice and Laura interspered with Antony's short stories was really engaging. I especially loved how the end of one chapter was the start of another, whether it was by imagery or the words of the characters. And don't get me started on how beautifully written this was. I also enjoyed the drama, romance, suspense topped off with a bit of the supernatural. I really can't stop raving about it!
  • Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
    5/5
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  • Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
    4/5
    A Very charming story with delightful characters. A fun listen.
  • Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
    5/5
    Most excellent!! Unique. Original. Very clever. So unlike anything you’ve ever read or listened to. Just brilliant!!! ☺️