Over the last few weeks, my mother has been telling me over and over to read this book, The Book of Lost Things by John Connolly. After checking for it in a few different stores, I finally ordered it from my local bookstore downtown. It was definitely worth the trouble and wait.
The Book of Lost Things is a modern fairy tale, that features fairy tales of old set in a new light. It all takes place in England, during the beginning of World War II. The story starts with David, and the death of his mother. His father remarries and has another child, and the family relocated. David is full of anger and resentment towards his step-mother and his new half-brother. Shortly after the move, David starts experiencing "attacks" and as a result he becomes able to hear the thoughts of books. This is where the Crooked Man enters his life, as well. One night David find himself in a sunken garden next to the house, where a German airplane crashes. David hides in the sunken garden, only to find himself transported to a fairy tale land. He meets a bevvy of characters, including the Woodsman and Roland the Knight, who join David on his quest to return home. The Crooked Man tries to thwart them at every turn, however, as does a series of nefarious beasts and characters.
Many of the fairy tales used in The Book of Lost Things are familiar, where others were brand new to me. Most have been twisted in such a way as to appear more relevant to David's plight. At the end of the edition that I purchased (paper back), there is notes by Connolly about the stories used and why they were important, as well as reprints of the original stories.
I give this book a 5 out of 5, and I think it has definitely found its place among my Top 10 Favorite Books.
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