The Notebook of Lost Things

by Megan Staffel

A novel about the power of love. Helene is forty-one; she enjoys sex with Harry, owner of Better Days, the local bar. But she will leave him if he cannot, just once, rise above the mundane and use his imagination so she can love him. Stella knows she loves Darryl, her high-school classmate, but her depressed, impoverished, weight-obsessed mother has to be her priority. And William Swick loves Uta, Helene's mother, loves her still although she died in a car accident two years earlier. On the anniversary of this death, each of them learns a lesson about the grace bestowed by love.

Genres: Fiction

224 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1999

Reviews

[Casey · Rating 3 out of 5]

Honestly don’t know what the point of this book is. I read the entire thing in one day, so it was an easy read, but I still don’t understand the point. So many of the storylines were left unfinished, and it just sort of ended. With books like this, there would normally be some sort of resolution or moral lesson revealed, but there was no such conclusion, it just stopped. The writing was lovely and the author described things with beauty and detail, unfortunately, I can’t get past the plot line issues and this will be going in my pile to pass on.

[Jud Barry · Rating 4 out of 5]

I just happened on this book in a pile of library books where I work, took it home and read it. It reminded me of the movie "The Station Agent," not just because there's a midget as one of the main characters, but also because it had the same kind of quotidian vibe to it, the day-to-day where nothing and everything happen.

[Lisa · Rating 1 out of 5]

This book intertwines the lives of people living in a small New York town. The characters are interesting, but the book doesn't follow through with the plot! It's like the last third of the book is completely missing, which negates all the positive character development that comes before. I feel cheated!

[Audrey Stephens · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed the interweaving of characters in this book, the historical flashbacks to Dresden in WWII and moments of near magic realism in the story. This is a well written book which holds ones attention from the first sentence. I was a tad disappointed at the ending, perhaps because I wasn't ready to let go of the characters.

[David Saliba · Rating 3 out of 5]

I like Staffel's writing style. "The Notebook of Lost Things" has many interesting, quirky, and likable characters, and she draws you into the story very quickly.

I would have given the book a 4 star rating if there had been a stronger sense of resolution.

Nonetheless, an enjoyable read.

[Britty · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is such a good book. A lovely story about loss, love, and seeing the world as it is. Beautifully written. Truly one of my favorites!

[Susan]

Colchester Library Book Sale - June 25, 2011

[Janene · Rating 3 out of 5]

The non-ending was ridiculous. 2 story lines that don't mesh in the same book at all.

[Barbara · Rating 2 out of 5]

Sad story of Dresden survivors, a dwarf, a teenaged girl with an obese and crazy mom. Strong characters marred by weak plotting.

[Malachyte · Rating 5 out of 5]

A beautiful story that invoked a lot of thought. It was surprisingly relaxing to read.