73 pages • 2 hours read
John ConnollyThe Book of Lost Things
Fiction | Novel | Middle Grade | Published in 2006A modern alternative to SparkNotes and CliffsNotes, SuperSummary offers high-quality Study Guides with detailed chapter summaries and analysis of major themes, characters, and more. For select classroom titles, we also provide Teaching Guides with discussion and quiz questions to prompt student engagement.
Before You Read
Super Short Summary
The Book of Lost Things by John Connolly is a coming-of-age novel where 12-year-old David, grappling with his mother's death and feeling neglected by his father, escapes into a magical land called Elsewhere. He meets various characters, faces dark dangers, and learns valuable lessons about acceptance and maturity on his journey to return home. The novel addresses sensitive topics including death, grief, and trauma.
Reviews & Readership
Review Roundup
John Connolly's The Book of Lost Things enchants readers with its dark, fairy tale-inspired narrative and rich symbolism. Praised for its imaginative plot and mature themes, it resonates well with adult audiences. Critics, however, note uneven pacing and occasional predictability. Overall, it offers a compelling blend of fantasy and psychological depth.
Who Should Read The Book of Lost Things?
Fans of dark fairy tales and coming-of-age stories will cherish John Connolly's The Book of Lost Things. Ideal readers enjoy works like Coraline by Neil Gaiman and The Ocean at the End of the Lane, where fantasy intertwines with real-life struggles, evoking a sense of wonder and melancholy.