Finding Lost: The Unofficial Guide

Finding Lost: The Unofficial Guide #1

by Nikki Stafford

Lost, the Golden Globe and Emmy Award-winning hit television show, has become renowned for its complexity week after week, sending both cult and mainstream fans to the Internet, encyclopedias, or religious texts as they try to figure out the keys to some of the mysteries.

If you’re feeling as lost as the survivors, then Finding Lost: An Unofficial Guide will help to put the pieces of the puzzle in place. Author Nikki Stafford, well known among cult television fans for her insightful episode commentaries, analyzes each episode of this groundbreaking series, finally offering some answers to confounded viewers. She illustrates the links between seemingly disparate events, piecing together the histories of each character and how they are intertwined, and helps viewers begin to make sense of the show as they watch it.

With exclusive photos; biographies of the show’s actors; chapters on philosophers, political figures, literature and literary theory, religion, numerology, and much, much more, Stafford’s book illuminates some of the mysteries of the show. Both casual and diehard fans will come away from this book feeling more informed about the characters, their backgrounds, and the island. Armed with these clues, this book aims to finally help viewers

Genres: Reference, Nonfiction, Tv, Film, Media Tie In, Pop Culture

373 pages, Kindle Edition

First published September 1, 2006

Reviews

[Francesca]

As a huge LOST fan, this looks and sounds amazing! I can't believe I didn't know it existed!

[Bronwyn · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is an interesting companion to the television series and gives some insight into each episode in the first two seasons. I liked that it gave information on the actors and different things to keep an eye out for as you watched the show. There were some bloopers that were funny that I had not previously noticed when watching. I wish this series were available in KU so I could refer to it as my husband and I are currently rewatching the series. I bet the season six book could give some great clues and insight to the ending.

[Marina · Rating 5 out of 5]

Several of my good friends had been at me for some time to watch LOST - somehow I had missed the show when it was originally broadcast. Since I trust these friends implicitly when it comes to movie and TV recommendations (we share a common interest in myth and pop culture), I knew I had to give LOST a try eventually. I nagged at my husband enough that he bought me season 1 last year for my birthday - and although he kept harping that we already had too much TV to watch, we popped it in the DVD player right away. By the time we wrapped up the pilot we were hooked and we watched the entire series in about 2 months (even popping out to the store late at night to pick up the next season because we couldn't wait the few days it would take to put it on hold at our library). Even though he was skeptical, it impacted my husband even more so than myself, and we both count it at the top of our favourite TV shows. In fact, my husband got the blu-ray set for Christmas and we've already rewatched the entire series a second time.

One of the things we love about the show is its multi-layer storytelling, and we've enjoyed endless talks and debates about what was going on each episode. However, one thing was missing. Because we watched the series so much later than everyone else, no one we know was into talking about it and having the same types of discussions we were having with each other! While my husband now starts every conversation with someone he hasn't seen for a while by finding out if they are a Lostie, I've been wishing I'd caught the show when it was originally on TV so I could tune in each week with the rest of the internet.

Thankfully, I found out about Nikki Stafford's Finding LOST series through a mutual friend. In what may be the beginning of a birthday trend, my husband got me the full set of books for my birthday and after reading the first one (covering season 1 and 2), I can say my wish has virtually come true!

Nikki has the book well written and beautifully organized. Each episode is broken down with a summary as well as commentary. I particularly loved the Did You Notice? and Any Questions? section of each episode summary - there are so many things I've missed even after watching the series twice, and I'm already looking forward to going through each episode again with Nikki's guide in hand. In between the episode guides are various segments profiling the actors and summing up some of the books that are featured in the show. After reading Nikki's commentary on how these books add to our understanding of the show, I'm tempted to start my own LOST book club!

So, if you are a fan of LOST, I can't recommend this book enough. You're sure to find tidbits you didn't already know! And I for one am thrilled to have found a fellow Lostie to enjoy the series with. Thank you, Nikki!

[Roy Wagner · Rating 5 out of 5]

LOST: Seasons One and Two FOUND AND More

If you felt lost watching the TV series LOST, this series of books are an excellent resource for you. You are pretty much required to rewatch the series, which will definitely be time well spent.

So much is covered in these books about all aspects and nuances of the series that I won’t even try to detail them. I’m sure another reviewer has already done that. I highly recommend these books. Enough said.

There is a book available for each season. This book does cover seasons One and Two.

[Megan Kortze · Rating 5 out of 5]

So this book took me FOREVER to get through, but I love this show and it’s been a side quest for me during the year and half I’ve been reading it.
I love how much more info and conspiracy it adds to a show full of lore and mystery. Definitely recommend you ready these if you’re really into the series!

[Matthew Hodge · Rating 4 out of 5]

A great book if you want to nerd up on all the Lost details. I'm showing my daughter the series for the first time and I've been reading Nikki's episode guide as we've gone through Seasons 1 and 2. If you want to watch (or rewatch) the show, it's like having an enthusiastic friend along for the ride who pulls apart every episode for you.

[Abigail · Rating 4 out of 5]

A perfect companion to my Lost re-watch. Stafford has insightful thoughts about the show and a prefect blend of objectiveness and displaying her own preferences when writing about the episodes and characters.

[Phyllis · Rating 4 out of 5]

A wonderful aid in thinking about the series. I enjoy the articles about books the characters have read and the insightful character speculation. Stafford always presents interesting ideas to ponder and discuss.
I read the book once but return to it often for specific episodes or articles.
On the negative side, I would have appreciated more plot synopsis. Also, I thought the number business was basically trite.

[Lyle Penner · Rating 4 out of 5]

Loved reading Nikki's reviews of each episode while watching the now iconic series about a bunch of complicated, deceiving individuals who get stranded on a South Pacific island after a plane crash. The connections she makes, including cross-references to other characters and to their respective flashbacks, is helpful in following along the various subplots. My only caveat is that she has a tendency to overemphasize the numerological dimension of Hurley's 'cursed' numbers. Now on to Season 3!

[Tintinrulz · Rating 5 out of 5]

"Finding Lost: The Unofficial Guide" by Nikki Stafford is an entertaining, intriguing, comprehensive and well-written series that adds enormously to the reader's enjoyment of the hit TV series "LOST". There are a few spelling mistakes and some book summaries are exhaustive (covered expertly though). This book covers the first two seasons. All in all, "Finding LOST" is a brilliant series of books.

9/10

[Ivia · Rating 4 out of 5]

The only down side to this guide is that it was written after the two seasons it covers aired, so while it gives a good insight into the fandom's experience of the show, many of the thought-provoking questions posed and some of the things pointed out and obsessed over are rendered obsolete by later seasons.

[Marissa Morrison · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book has a lot of info on seasons one and two. However, it should be read while watching the shows because the synopses aren't detailed. I haven't watched those episodes for a couple of years, so some of the material here was hard for me to recall.

[Matt · Rating 4 out of 5]

Pointed me to a few "Easter Eggs" located in the show, and I found it to be a nice companion on my third viewing of the first two seasons of the perhaps the most thought provoking TV show ever created.

[Jennifer · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wow! Did the writers of the show really think of all these things?

[Child960801 · Rating 3 out of 5]

I've never read an episode guide before. I enjoyed it. I wasn't watching the series at the same time so I had to try and refresh my memory as I went. Some people are obsessed.

[Conny · Rating 5 out of 5]

Book 1,2 & 3 done.
Now book 4,5 & 6 ...

[Joanne · Rating 5 out of 5]

Helped me understand why I fell in love with the show and significantly enhanced the experience

[Elizabeth · Rating 5 out of 5]

Yay more ways to spend my hours of the day with LOST