3.5/5 stars! I liked this book, but to be clear, it is not YA. I wouldn't recommend young readers reading it, as the content gets quite dark. But for more mature or adult readers, I found to be fascinating. The writing style reminded me of Wrinkle in Time, where there are obvious mature undertones and psychological messages.

I received a free copy of this book via NetGalley and am voluntarily leaving a review

The first time I read this book I loved it and raved about it. With the 10th anniversary of the book came the illustrated edition, the illustrations are a lovely addition to the story. This is a story that stays with you long after you finish reading it.

A beautifully made book that is haunting and chilling in parts, loved David and really enjoyed his adventures, you’d never know looking at it just how dark in places it was, a real treat!!!

My younger self would absolutely love this but 20ish self? Not so much.

David was struggling to get used to his new life after his mom died, moving in with his soon-to-be-step mom, having a new step brother, seeing his dad loving another woman that is not his mom… it’s too much. He lashed out. His dad got angry. He missed his mom. He spent most of his time holed up in his new room that was filled by booksThe next thing he knew, he’s in a mysterious land that’s definitely not near his house. And so he’s going on a long journey, got a lot of tales, meeting characters from storybooks, and being haunted by a mysterious man who offered to take him home in exchange for his step brother’s name.

It reminds me of The Lost Girl King but considering this book published years before that, it should be the other way around haha. Oh BTW I love the closure at the end , that leaves no room for readers to prolong their curiosity and wonder what’s happening. But now that I know there’s a new book titled “The Land of Lost Things”, I wonder if it has any connection to this book. I Guess I’m gonna read it and see.

Published originally in 2006 with an illustrated edition released for its tenth anniversary, "The Book of Lost Things" is a poignant tale woven by John Connolly, featuring black-and-white illustrations by Anne M. Anderson. The highly anticipated sequel, 'The Land of Lost Things,' is slated for publication in early September 2023.

The story revolves around twelve-year-old David, who, grappling with the recent loss of his beloved mother, seeks solace in the myths and fairytales she cherished. As grief envelops him, the boundaries between the real and fantasy worlds blur. His unease intensifies with his father's remarriage to Rose, a former hospital administrator connected to his mother's passing, and news of a new baby on the way by November 1939.

David's father, engaged in war work as a code breaker, relocates the family to Rose's ancestral home northwest of London due to the escalating dangers in the city. In this new setting, David becomes increasingly aware of a menacing figure, the Crooked Man, lurking around the house and nearby woods. The question arises: is the Crooked Man real or a creation of David's imagination?

One night, compelled by a voice resembling his mother's, David ventures into the sunken garden. Following her pleas for rescue from a strange place, he discovers a hole in the wall that leads him to a land inhabited by heroes, wolves, witches, and monsters. To return home, he must embark on a quest to find the legendary Book of Lost Things.

Throughout David's journey, he encounters various characters, some allies, and others adversaries. The narrative subtly incorporates elements of Jungian psychology, intertwining with fairy tale characters. At its core, the story can be read as David's internal journey as he grapples with the profound changes in his life.

The E-Book could be improved and more user-friendly, such as links to the chapters, no significant gaps between words and a cover for the book would be better. It is very document-like instead of a book. A star has been deducted because of this.

This is a first for me by the author and one I enjoyed and I would read more of their work. The book cover is eye-catching and appealing and would spark my interest if in a bookshop. Thank you to the author, publisher and Netgalley for this ARC.

From the cover you would not expect this book to be a dark as it was at some points. And someone who loves folklore I couldn't help but be drawn into this story and can't wait to check out the next book.

Having originally read this many years ago, it was a delight to reread it. It was just as deliciously spooky as I remembered, walking the line between fairytale and coming-of-age novel. The illustrations are so intricate, they did not have the same effect on my e-reader but I sought out the book in a book-shop and it is a thing of beauty. Highly recommended!

Thanks to NetGalley and the publishers for providing me with an ARC of this book.

The Book of Lost Things - I loved it. It is a richly dark, hauntingly beautiful story that you’ll have to finish.

I first read this book on its release in 2006 and it made a huge impression on me. So when I saw there was a sequel I wanted to read this one again to see if it still appealed to me as much and I'm happy to say, it very much did. The story is of David, a boy who has lost his mother and takes refuge in the fairy tales she told him. His father remarries and they move to an old house where David starts to see the Crooked Man, a scary figure, and finds his way into a fairy tale world on a quest to find The Book of Lost Things. The land is full of fairy tale characters, some good and some bad, and there is a real sense of menace to many parts of the story. It's an absolute masterpiece and the linocut illustrations by Anne M Anderson are beautiful and a perfect style for the book. I have since read the sequel and it's wonderful too!

Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for a copy in return for an honest review.

#TheBookofLostThingsIllustratedEdition #NetGalley

‘Once upon a time – for that is how all stories should begin – there was a boy who lost his mother.’

My thanks to Hodder & Stoughton for a review copy via NetGalley of ‘The Book of Lost Things Illustrated Edition’ by John Connolly.

This was originally published in 2006 with the illustrated edition appearing for the tenth anniversary. The black-and-white illustrations are by Anne M. Anderson. Its long awaited sequel, ‘The Land of Lost Things’, is to be published in early September 2023.

Twelve-year-old David has recently lost his beloved mother and overcome with grief takes refuge in the myths and fairytales that she loved. In his withdrawal he finds that the real world and the fantasy world begin to blend. He is further upset when his father remarries. Rose had been an administrator at the hospital where his mother had died and David is very reluctant to accept her. Then by November 1939, there is a new baby on the way.

David’s father is engaged in war work as a code breaker. With London becoming increasingly dangerous, they move into the big, old house to the northwest of London that has been in Rose’s family for generations. Yet David has glimpses of a frightening figure that he dubs the Crooked Man creeping about the house and lurking on the edge of the nearby woods. Is he real or a product of David’s imagination?

Then one night David goes into the sunken garden following a voice that sounds like his mother saying that she is trapped in a strange place and urging him to come across. There is a hole in the wall and then something unexpected happens that forces David to go through the gap. He finds himself in a land populated by heroes, wolves, witches, and monsters. In order to return home he must find the legendary Book of Lost Things. So begins his quest….

In David’s journey he encounters a number of people, some allies and others adversaries. I could see some aspects of Jungian psychology woven throughout the narrative, including the fairy tale characters. Therefore, on one level it can be read as David’s inner journey as he seeks to come to terms with the drastic changes in his life.

What a fantastic book this was. I have been reading John Connolly’s supernatural-tinged crime thrillers for years and this book has been on my radar for some time. I found it an enthralling read.

The 2017 illustrated edition at 485 pages is considerably longer than the original edition, which was 320 pages. Aside from the illustrations it contains various extras.These include a 2016 Afterword, two new stories: a fun take on Cinderella and a darker tale entitled ‘The Rat King’, which is a retelling of the Pied Piper.

Added to this is a personal account by John Connolly about the book, and finally a long essay entitled: ‘Of Fairy Tales, Dark Towers, and Other Such Matters’, which contains extensive notes on ‘The Book of Lost Things’. In this Connelly explores the fairy tales referenced in the book, discusses their origins, recounts the Brothers Grimm versions where indicated and other sources.

I felt that the essay demonstrated John Connolly’s extensive knowledge of fairy tales, mythology, and symbolism At 135 pages it could easily constitute a slender book on its own. I was definitely impressed.

Overall, I found ‘The Book of Lost Things’ a compelling coming-of-age story that masterfully weaves into the narrative a number of well known fairy tales and philosophical themes. However, I will caution that even though its protagonist is young, it’s a very dark tale!

I really enjoyed this book, with it's fresh concepts and dark approach. However, I would be concerned that the playful YA style cover and description would lead children or their parents to think this was an appropriate read for a younger audience. This is a really interesting foray into modern fantasy!

As a huge fan of Charlie Parker from Every Dead Thing until now, I have followed and read everything John Connolly has written. So with that I read this gem in 2006.

Reading this now as a re release and the world in the way it’s changed I’m quite shocked by how dark and macabre it is. It’s not for kids, unless they are very mature,

John Connolly explores a world he clearly enjoys as he steps polars apart from the Parker books and enters this darkly disturbing world of the crooked man and twisted and broken fairytales.

It has all of the sublime prose from the master of the dark. It’s superb. Would I let my kids read it, I have a mature 7 year old who could read it but would be very upset.

It’s not for kids so please don’t advertise it’s for 10 year olds.

Adult horror yes. Young adults no

I read this book for the first time over a decade ago and I couldn’t remember anything about it except that I’d enjoyed it a lot, so when I saw that a sequel was finally being released I knew I’d have to revisit the story. David is a child whose mother has died after a long illness and his father has remarried and had another child. The story uses this as a basis to the fairytale that spirals from real life when David enters a magical realm through his garden. Various well known stories are twisted and altered and a very dark fairytale ends up being written.

The book of Lost things follows David, a 12 year old boy after the death of his mother. Struggling with his grief and his father moving on with a new family, and a war going on David finds himself in the Land of lost stories. In this terrifying new land he learns that the stories aren’t always happy and there’s no such thing as a happy ever after.

This is NOT a children’s story, it is written for adults with the nostalgia of childhood. A dark portal fantasy that is bloody, gruesome and terrifying in places whilst being a metaphor for grief, loss and death.

I loved this so much and the two new short stories in the 10th anniversary edition were just as deliciously dark. The illustrations were charming and added to the nostalgia.

There will also be a sequel to this book called ‘The land of lost things’ coming out this year and I’m now very excited about it.

Described as a dark, coming of age novel this reminds me in parts of His Dark Materials or The Chronicles of Narnia. The subjects of love and loss, betrayal and hope are handled well. Less Sci Fi than I anticipated from some reviews, and more of a dark fable which led to other vignettes along the way.

I read this some time ago and requested this version as I was keen to see how the illustrations are to the story - on the Kindle version I read they were fairly limited, but pretty. I do own an original hardback of this book as well which is beautiful. Looking forward to The Land of Lost Things coming out soon to add to my collection!

This was an interesting story from the beginning. I had a range of emotions reading through this story following David on his journey to find his mother. However I do feel the story was a little long and in parts did find it hard to pay full attention. The story is full of lots of different themes of love, fear, magic and more. Quite a unique read

Such a beautiful tale, I enjoyed and I think is beautiful and powerful. I like the way is written and the way is illustrated. Thanks to NetGalley for the access to this book

this seemed interesting and i tried to get into it but just couldn’t. i would’ve liked it better if it were written in modern times.

thanks to the publisher for free copy.

John Connolly is perhaps better known for his Charlie Parker series but I have loved this one since publication.

12 year old David is grieving and seeks refuge in books. However the imaginary Fairy tale world he enters can be as dark as the original tales. He's on a quest to find the legendary Book of Lost Tales, but who is the Crooked Man ?
The beginning reminded me of The Never Ending Story and the "fantasy" element is a uniting theme as is a coming of age theme. This has a very dark Grimms Tales feel and it was great to revisit it and enjoy the illustrations plus the added content- 2 stories . One is based on Cinderella and the other the Rat King (Crooked Man links)

Immersive and powerful.

This is a re-read for me, and I had forgotten just how powerful it is, immersing the reader in a world of fairytales that will bear little resemblance to those you are likely to remember, Disney this is not. It's not for younger readers, as the imaginative John Connolly atmospherically evokes and treads the darkest territory of horror and the macabre. It is wartime and young David is traumatised and grieving the loss of his mother, he is an angry child, unable to cope with his father remarrying Rose so soon after, and the birth of his half brother, George. Spending time with books, his world begins to blend with that of fairytales, and with the inspired creation of evil that is the Crooked Man. There are moments of light, humour and wit in David's dangerous and twisty journey, which I found emotionally draining but such a gripping read which I think many other readers will appreciate too. Many thanks to the publisher.