What Have I Been Reading?...in short!
The Keeper of Lost Things
Ruth Hogan
Fiction
This is a charming, light read and as the title suggests, the plot centres around 'Lost Things' which is the perfect metaphor for promises made and unwittingly broken.
Anthony Peardew is an ageing author who, having lost a very precious medallion gifted to him by his late wife, becomes obsessed with collecting and documenting items he finds on his daily walks. His rather grand house contains a room full to bursting with lost items which he is determined to return to their rightful owners. The author beautifully depicts the depth of love Anthony shared with his wife and consequently his heartbreaking lonliness since her death. It appears that his obsessive collecting has developed in order to fill a void and pass time but is it something more?
Laura, who appears to have forsaken her promising future for the tempting lure of young love, finds herself in her thirties and looking for a life more fulfilling. After answering an advert, she finds herself thrust into Anthonys world at Padua House as his assistant. For Laure, having escaped a failed marriage, living at Padua is a dream come true and she quickly adjusts to living among such grandeur.
Anthony's death sees Laura inheriting Padua on the understanding that she will continue his life long work of reuniting all the 'Lost Things' with their rightful owners. But it's an insurmountable task and Laura needs help. Enter Freddy, the gardener and Sunshine, the young neighbour with Down Syndrome. The three of them gel as a team and together they get to work on Anthony's wishes.
All though, is not what it seems. There are questions to be answered. Is Padua haunted? What does Anthony's late wife want the team of three to find? How can she finally find peace?
There is another story that runs alongside the main thread, which is at first a little confusing but as the story unfolds, the connection becomes apparent.
The characters are bold and witty with the author successfully exploring the themes of life, love and death and tackling social discrimination surrounding Down Syndrome and peoples perception of inheritance.
The book is endearing and is on my list of good reads...it's different so stick with it.
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