Toni-Ann

The Book of Lost Things

** About the Book **  The Novel //The Book of Lost Things// was written by John Connolly in 2006 ,and was published by Washington Square Press. The novel takes place in London during World War II and in a fairytale realm which is located in the protagonist’s “sunken garden”. The protagonist,__David__, soon finds himself drawn into another realm by a mysterious voice which he believes is his deceased mother’s

** About the Author ** 

John Connolly was born on May 31, 1968 in Dublin, Ireland. He attended 2 different universities. He received his bachelor’s degree in English at Trinity College which is located in Dublin, Ireland. He then received his master’s degree in Journalism at the Dublin City University, which is also located in Dublin, Ireland. Not only is he a writer, but he was also a journalist, barman, local government officer, waiter, and a worker at Harrods department __store__, which is located in London, United Kingdom. John Connolly is known for his Charlie Parker series which includes, //Every Dead Thing//; 1999, //Dark Hollow//; 2000, //The White Road//; 2002, //Bad Men//; 2003, //Nocturnes//; 2004, //The Black Angel//; 2005, //The Unquiet//; 2006 //The Reapers//; 2007, //The Lovers//; 2009, //The Whispers//; 2010, and //The Burning Soul// which is currently being written. He also wrote several other novels such as //Bad Men//; 2003, //The Book of Lost Things//; 2006, and The //Gates//; 2009. In his __career__, Connolly has won many awards. He won the Shamus Award for the best PI novel in 2000 for his book //Every Dead Thing//. He also won the Alex Award in 2007 for his novel //The Book of Lost Things.// In his writing, Connolly incorporates crude humor that is not suitable for all ages along with vivid detail of gruesome murders and __intimacy__.   media type="custom" key="11934510" align="left" width="30" height="30"

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<span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; font-size: 150%;">** Characters & Conflicts ** <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; font-size: 140%;"> <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;"> Throughout his travels __David__, protagonist, meets a plethera of characters who either want to help or __hurt__ him. David is a twelve year od boy who as just lost his mother to ____cancer____ <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; font-size: 130%;">. He inherited his mother's love of reading myths and fairy tales. He cannot cope with his mother's death and insist that she is not dead, but instead she is lost in another world and cannot find her way __back__ to the world they live in. He is lured into another realm by a trickster, and must find the king of this new world in order to return back to his world. After his mother's death David is forced to see a therapist named Dr. Moberley who does not fully understand what David is going through. David's mother is briefly spoken, but the dies from cancer. David's father, whom is nameless, got remarried to Rose, David's step mother, after his wife dies; they son have a son named Georgie whom David despises. Jonathan Tulvey was the owener of the books in David's "new" room at Rose's house. Jonathan Tulvey was also Rose's uncle who disappeared and was never to be seen again only to be found, by David, as the king of the new realm. When David first enters the portal he meets the Woodsman. The Woodsman is David's new friend and protector who tells David about the king's book of lost things. David encounters a few problems on his journey to the castle and on his way home.He is hunted down by Leroi and the Loups which are half man and wolf that wear clothing, but have the mentality of a wolf. David also encounters a huntress who tries to sever his body parts and place the onto another animal’s body. He then meets Ronald whom is a soldier for the kingdom and becomes David’s close friend, but their friendship is tested after a shocking secret is revealed about Ronald. David has entered another realm in which he is unfamiliar with and needs guidance in order for him to return home to his father and Rose.

<span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; font-size: 21px; line-height: 31px;">Ratings & Review <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;"> <span style="display: block; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; text-align: justify;"> I persuade every sci-fi and fantasy lover to read this novel. This novel incorporates Grimm fairy tales that are popular in today's society. Along with the childhood fairytales, the novel includes a bit of crude humor. Even the most apathetic people will find this book very interesting and hard to put down. This novel is perhaps a perfect example of a coming of age story. The main character experiences some changes in his life which at first seemed as a downfall, but as the story progressed his previous experiences strengthen him. As you read the novel, certain characters can be paired up with other characters from the Grimm fairytales. Lastly, the novel has a very clear and deep storyline that people ages fourteen and up may enjoy.

<span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; font-size: 160%;">Theme: <span style="color: #e50606; display: block; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; font-size: 140%; text-align: justify;">Even though the loss of a loved one can be devastating, one must overcome the grief and move on in life by exiting their comfort zone and exploring the world around them.

<span style="display: block; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; font-size: 150%; text-align: center;">Style: <span style="display: block; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; font-size: 130%; text-align: left;"> Connolly uses several different approaches in his novel in order to create a his own style. This novel is told from the first person point of view, David, which allows the readers to visualize what David goes through during his journey. Connolly can be described as a meticulous writer because of his ability to add an abundance of detail in order to convey a certain mood or feeling. Connolly is not an average author who vaguely describes important areas of the novel, but instead he describes each scene with a new twist in order to keep the audience reading. Connolly is also known for striving for more of the morose/suspenseful mood instead of an homely/uplifting mood. As Kirkus Reviews stated, "Connolly's reflections on evil, the past, and reparation are lyrical and affecting, and his grim fundamentalists send off frissons." Connolly's diction should also be noticed because uses he "simple"words intertwined with more difficult words to emphasize on a certain mood he wants to convey at that time. For instance Connolly states, "Now he stood with a bloodied rag in his claws and felt a degree of admiration for the boy whom he was hunting" (Connolly 265). Connolly also incorporates short stories from character such as the Woodsman, Ronald, etc., in order to add more of a fairy tale feel to the story.

<span style="display: block; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; font-size: 150%; text-align: center;">Interested ?

<span style="display: block; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; font-size: 130%; text-align: center;"> __A Brief Look in the Book?__

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