Review: Lost and Found

Lost and Found

by Brook Davis

Why did you choose this book? I was surprised with an ARC from Penguin First To Read!

When did you read this book? October 2014

Who should read this book? readers who enjoy 'quirky'

Source: Penguin First To Read

Here is a synopsis of Lost and Found from Penguin First To Read

Millie Bird (aka Captain Funeral), seven-years old and ever hopeful, always wears red gumboots to match her red, curly hair. Her struggling mother leaves Millie in a local department store and never returns.

Agatha Pantha, eighty-two, has not left her house – or spoken to another human being – since she was widowed seven years ago. She fills the silences by yelling at passers by, watching loud static on the TV and maintaining a strict daily schedule.

Karl the Touch Typist, eighty-seven, once used his fingers to type out love notes on his wife's skin. Now he types his words out into the air as he speaks. Karl is moved into a nursing home but in a moment of clarity and joy, he escapes.

A series of events binds the three together on a road trip that takes them from the south coast of WA to Kalgoorlie and along the Nullarbor to the edge of the continent. Millie wants to find her mum. Karl wants to find out how to be a man. And Agatha just wants everything to go back to how it was.

They will discover that old age is not the same as death, that the young can be wise, and that letting yourself experience sadness just might be the key to life.

My Review

I was surprised with an ARC of this book by Penguin through their First To Reads program.  Unfortunately this one was not for me. The story did have its funny moments and its sweet moments, but it was a bit too ‘weird’ for me. (Others might say it is ‘quirky’!)

MIllie is a little girl who records ‘Dead Things’. The first was her dog, who was hit by a car, and not too long after, her dad. Soon after, her mother abandons her, and Millie goes in search of her mother. Along the way, she meets a widower, Karl the Touch-Typist, and Agatha Pantha, a widow.

While the book had it’s entertaining moments, much of it was unrealistic and unbelievable. Karl escapes from a nursing home, apparently with no one noticing or searching for him. The trio commits many ‘crimes’ with no consequences. And though there is an epilogue, it leaped so far into the future that I really didn’t feel there was much resolution, as I didn’t know how the characters got there!

However, even though I didn’t really enjoy the book, I do think there may be value for a book club. All three main characters are dealing with loss and grief, and the author mentions in her notes that she wrote this while grieving her mother. A good book club discussion would definitely add to the experience of this book! If you enjoy quirky, give it a try!

My Rating:  ★★     2 Stars

I received an advanced review copy of this book through the Penguin First To Read program in return for an honest review.