Books on Tap discussed The Keeper of Lost Things by Ruth Hogan at Beer Run on July 6th.
A lively discussion of this light summer read ensued. With our staff/blog writer on vacation, we are pleased to share, with permission, a summary of our discussion posted by one of our regular attendees who has a lively Instagram account posting, under the name _bookstasam:
“The Keeper of Lost Things was a book club pick, and while it’s not my usual genre it was a nice, easy read that I think some readers would really vibe with. My book club was all over the place with this one, some loved it, some hated it – it seems like the deciding factor is how much you enjoy a feel-good story.
Andrew has spent his life collecting lost objects – a glove, hair baubles, a cookie tin full of human remains – with the ultimate goal of reuniting these items with their owners. He dies early in the novel and leaves his whole fortune and home – including found objects – to his caregiver, Laura, now tasked with returning the treasures to their rightful homes. Along the way, Laura confronts her own past trauma and makes some new connections of her own.
It’s a very sweet premise, but the story was very surface level to me. One of my fellow book clubbers brought a list of the novel’s 68 (!) named characters. While not all of those characters were vital to the narrative, it goes to show just how much story was packed into these ~300 pages. With so many characters I didn’t get to know any of them that well. Also, I would have liked to see some of the logistics of returning objects explored more fully. I know a thing or two about developing an internet reputation, and I am baffled as to how Laura and Co. managed to connect with so many forgetful people in such short order. Very unrealistic!
Anyway, like I mentioned in my stories the other day, this is a lovely lighter read. I think my mom would really dig it, as might someone looking for a wholesome beach read that’s not strictly romantic.”
Not all of our readers were able to make the connection between the two plot threads and felt elements of the plot required a certain suspension of disbelief.
Most of our readers favored the character Sunshine, who has a certain clairvoyance and describes herself as a “dancing drome”.
Published in 2017 by a British writer, a few of us found ourselves Googling some of the terminology embedded in the plot– “chocks away”, “codswallop” and more.
This selection fits in well with JMRL’s 2023 Summer Reading theme “All Together Now” as the plot and characters ultimately connect and form their own found family. It’s not too late to sign up and complete summer reading challenge sheets for prizes! Stop by your local JMRL branch to participate. Fun for the entire family!
Other titles mentioned (in the book and our discussion):
Queenie Malone’s Paradise Hotel by Ruth Hogan
The Moon, The Stars, and Madame Burova by Ruth Hogan
The Wisdom of Sally Red Shoes by Ruth Hogan
The Displacements by Bruce W. Holsinger
One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest book by Ken Kesey and the film
The Great Escape (film)
See you on August 3rd as we discuss The Gifted School by Bruce W. Holsinger and finalize selections for October – December 2023.
August 3 – The Gifted School by Bruce W. Holsinger
September 7 – Year of Wonders: A Novel of the Plague by Geraldine Brooks