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De jonge fotografe Kate is kapot van de dood van haar moeder Jane, een weeskind dat uitgroeide tot een gevierd ballerina. Terwijl Kate rouwt wil ze niemand om zich heen hebben - behalve Evie, de adoptiemoeder van Jane, die altijd als een oma voor Kate is geweest.
Als Evie onthult dat ze meer van Janes afkomst weet dan ze ooit heeft willen toegeven, besluit Kate op zoek te gaan naar een familiegeschiedenis die ze voorgoed verloren had gewaand. Ze stuit op een tragisch liefdesverhaal van twee mensen die door omstandigheden van elkaar werden gescheiden - en die in tijden van oorlog, politiek tumult en armoede altijd van elkaar bleven houden.
Als Evie onthult dat ze meer van Janes afkomst weet dan ze ooit heeft willen toegeven, besluit Kate op zoek te gaan naar een familiegeschiedenis die ze voorgoed verloren had gewaand. Ze stuit op een tragisch liefdesverhaal van twee mensen die door omstandigheden van elkaar werden gescheiden - en die in tijden van oorlog, politiek tumult en armoede altijd van elkaar bleven houden.
400 pages, Paperback
First published January 15, 2015
3526 people are currently reading
33007 people want to read
About the author
Lucy Foley
24 books37.8k followersHello and welcome to my Goodreads page! I’m the author of the murder mystery thrillers The Midnight Feast, The Paris Apartment, The Guest List and The Hunting Party — as well as the historical novels The Book of Lost and Found, The Invitation and Last Letter from Istanbul.
I came to writing through a love of reading — I previously worked with books as a fiction editor, a literary agent’s assistant, a bookseller and a literary scout!
Inspired by trips to the West Country and local folklore I began plotting my latest novel, The Midnight Feast. A midsummer heatwave, a setting with a past, a reunion that takes a dark turn. And so The Midnight Feast came to life.
Thanks to brilliant readers around the world, my novels have sold over five million copies, and been translated into multiple languages. I’m also a No 1 New York Times and Sunday Times bestseller. A life-long Agatha Christie fan, I also contributed to Marple, a collection of short stories featuring the legendary detective.
Follow me on social media at:
Instagram @lucyfoleyauthor
Facebook @LucyFoleyAuthor
Twitter/X @lucyfoleytweets
I came to writing through a love of reading — I previously worked with books as a fiction editor, a literary agent’s assistant, a bookseller and a literary scout!
Inspired by trips to the West Country and local folklore I began plotting my latest novel, The Midnight Feast. A midsummer heatwave, a setting with a past, a reunion that takes a dark turn. And so The Midnight Feast came to life.
Thanks to brilliant readers around the world, my novels have sold over five million copies, and been translated into multiple languages. I’m also a No 1 New York Times and Sunday Times bestseller. A life-long Agatha Christie fan, I also contributed to Marple, a collection of short stories featuring the legendary detective.
Follow me on social media at:
Instagram @lucyfoleyauthor
Facebook @LucyFoleyAuthor
Twitter/X @lucyfoleytweets
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 1,579 reviews
July 12, 2018
The cover of this book drew me in (US edition, 2015). That location is so gorgeous; I want to be there! Part of the book is set in Corsica, and the descriptions are amazing.
THE BOOK OF LOST AND FOUND is about a young woman's quest to discover the story behind a portrait done 50 years ago, and one that her grandmother kept hidden for many years. The "present" (Kate's story) was set in the 1980s, while the young artist's love story was set in the 1930s. Who is the mysterious woman in the portrait who looks so much like Kate's mother?
The premise of the book is completely my kind of story, though overall I wasn't "wowed." While the descriptions of time and place were beautiful, I thought that it was too wordy and slow. The relationships presented weren't all that convincing.
This book covers many things - love lost, grief, separation, and family secrets. An OK read for me, just never truly hooked me.
Disclosure: I received a copy of this book from the publisher through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
THE BOOK OF LOST AND FOUND is about a young woman's quest to discover the story behind a portrait done 50 years ago, and one that her grandmother kept hidden for many years. The "present" (Kate's story) was set in the 1980s, while the young artist's love story was set in the 1930s. Who is the mysterious woman in the portrait who looks so much like Kate's mother?
The premise of the book is completely my kind of story, though overall I wasn't "wowed." While the descriptions of time and place were beautiful, I thought that it was too wordy and slow. The relationships presented weren't all that convincing.
This book covers many things - love lost, grief, separation, and family secrets. An OK read for me, just never truly hooked me.
Disclosure: I received a copy of this book from the publisher through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
March 21, 2017
This was an okay book and an easy read but it never quite grabbed me totally. It tended to jump around a lot even changing timeframes within time frames and I was glad I was reading a paper copy so I could quickly look back and see which year I was in. It also seemed a bit too long for its content.
Those are just quibbles though. The story itself was good and I rapidly became invested, along with Kate, in finding out what had happened to her real grandmother. I very much liked the character of the young Tom Stafford, and Alice was interesting too.
I guess I am not really a devotee of this kind of romantic novel so my rating may be lower than most people's. It is probably a very good book - just not for me:)
Those are just quibbles though. The story itself was good and I rapidly became invested, along with Kate, in finding out what had happened to her real grandmother. I very much liked the character of the young Tom Stafford, and Alice was interesting too.
I guess I am not really a devotee of this kind of romantic novel so my rating may be lower than most people's. It is probably a very good book - just not for me:)
February 15, 2015
The book of lost and found was slow moving and lacked any real punch.
I bought this book in hard back and loved the cover and the presentation. The premise of the novel had me intrigued and I felt this was going to be a book I would enjoy.
Unfortunately the story fell flat for me after about 140 pages and I think the reason for this was the lack of character development. I don't mind a book to start out slowly if the the character development and plot warrants it. I just never gelled with the characters in this novel. A good sense of time and place in a novel will keep my interested even if the characters don't and again The Book Of Lost And Found fell flat for me as well. An ok read but not a book I will be recommending.
I bought this book in hard back and loved the cover and the presentation. The premise of the novel had me intrigued and I felt this was going to be a book I would enjoy.
Unfortunately the story fell flat for me after about 140 pages and I think the reason for this was the lack of character development. I don't mind a book to start out slowly if the the character development and plot warrants it. I just never gelled with the characters in this novel. A good sense of time and place in a novel will keep my interested even if the characters don't and again The Book Of Lost And Found fell flat for me as well. An ok read but not a book I will be recommending.
July 25, 2023
EXCERPT: She hangs in the National Portrait Gallery now. Her smile has not faltered through the years, and her hair still falls just above her jaw, as sleek as cat's fur. She sits awkwardly: the pose of a moment held for eternity. Her eyes squint slightly, shielded from an invisible sun by her hand.
Who is she? The drawing bears no clue, nor the little square of text beside it.
A friend of the artist's, circa 1929. PEN AND INK.
Friend is a difficult word - it can conceal so much. Who was she, really, to the young man who sat down and sketched her one afternoon, with the spoils of their picnic beside them?
ABOUT 'THE BOOK OF LOST AND FOUND': Kate Darling's enigmatic mother--a once-famous ballerina--has passed away, leaving Kate bereft. When her grandmother falls ill and bequeaths to Kate a small portrait of a woman who bears a striking resemblance to Kate's mother, Kate uncovers a mystery that may upend everything she thought she knew.
Kate's journey to find the true identity of the woman in the portrait takes her to some of the world's most iconic and indulgent locales, revealing a love story that began in the wild 1920s and was disrupted by war and could now spark new love for Kate.
MY THOUGHTS: The settings in this book are marvelous - from London to Paris to New York, Venice and Corsica, over a time span from the 1920s to the 1980s, this family saga enchants and enthralls.
I love nothing more than a sweeping family saga with a good mystery thrown in, and Lucy Foley has delivered on all fronts. As Kate embarks on her journey, the discoveries she makes are revealed to us in real time which gave me the experience of being there, of living the story along with the characters.
These characters are expertly drawn. It is impossible not to love Kate, to feel her grief, to admire her determination. I loved the time she spent on Corsica with artist Thomas Stafford, learning about Alice, the girl he had known and portrayed. Corsica is being added to my travel wish list.
Thomas is another wonderful character, one who lost the love of his life but never his love of life.
Although there is a lot of sadness and grief in The Book of Lost and Found, there is also a great deal of joy and my emotions soared and dipped as I read.
Not everything is tied up nice and neatly at the end and, to be honest, I could have done with just a little more . . .
I listened to the audiobook of The Book of Lost and Found which was superbly narrated by Fiona Hardingham.
⭐⭐⭐⭐.2
#TheBookofLostandFound #Libby
Who is she? The drawing bears no clue, nor the little square of text beside it.
A friend of the artist's, circa 1929. PEN AND INK.
Friend is a difficult word - it can conceal so much. Who was she, really, to the young man who sat down and sketched her one afternoon, with the spoils of their picnic beside them?
ABOUT 'THE BOOK OF LOST AND FOUND': Kate Darling's enigmatic mother--a once-famous ballerina--has passed away, leaving Kate bereft. When her grandmother falls ill and bequeaths to Kate a small portrait of a woman who bears a striking resemblance to Kate's mother, Kate uncovers a mystery that may upend everything she thought she knew.
Kate's journey to find the true identity of the woman in the portrait takes her to some of the world's most iconic and indulgent locales, revealing a love story that began in the wild 1920s and was disrupted by war and could now spark new love for Kate.
MY THOUGHTS: The settings in this book are marvelous - from London to Paris to New York, Venice and Corsica, over a time span from the 1920s to the 1980s, this family saga enchants and enthralls.
I love nothing more than a sweeping family saga with a good mystery thrown in, and Lucy Foley has delivered on all fronts. As Kate embarks on her journey, the discoveries she makes are revealed to us in real time which gave me the experience of being there, of living the story along with the characters.
These characters are expertly drawn. It is impossible not to love Kate, to feel her grief, to admire her determination. I loved the time she spent on Corsica with artist Thomas Stafford, learning about Alice, the girl he had known and portrayed. Corsica is being added to my travel wish list.
Thomas is another wonderful character, one who lost the love of his life but never his love of life.
Although there is a lot of sadness and grief in The Book of Lost and Found, there is also a great deal of joy and my emotions soared and dipped as I read.
Not everything is tied up nice and neatly at the end and, to be honest, I could have done with just a little more . . .
I listened to the audiobook of The Book of Lost and Found which was superbly narrated by Fiona Hardingham.
⭐⭐⭐⭐.2
#TheBookofLostandFound #Libby
July 25, 2023
I read my first Lucy Foley book about a year ago and really enjoyed the suspenseful mystery aspects. I began reading her past books and recently hit the non-suspenseful ones, which were more of a romance and drama with touches of shocking moments. The Book of Lost and Found has a fantastic plot but it meanders so much, leaves too many things unaddressed, and fails to connect the dots together at the end in a manner that leaves readers feeling like they've understand a character's plight throughout a difficult life. Ripe with WWII-concentration camp moments, I found myself feeling the disturbances and pain but so much of the protagonist's life is left missing from her 40s to her 80s that I can't understand why she made the choices she did. Know going in that you won't get a full story, but what you have shows strong potential. Definitely don't start here with Foley's work as you might not decide to continue... but the later ones are much stronger.
December 27, 2016
With the recent devastating death of her mother, Kate found herself floundering. The only constant was the daily visit to her grandmother Evie in the nursing home. But when Evie confessed a shocking secret to Kate, at the same time giving her an old portrait which she had had for many years, Kate was filled with a mix of emotions. Anger, grief, frustration – and then her grandmother died…
Kate’s journey to find the woman in the portrait would take her to many places – from her home in London, to Corsica, Paris and New York. When she was finally able to arrange a meeting with the reclusive but famous artist, Thomas Stafford on the island of Corsica, she had no idea what the future would be. She was nervous, scared and sure she had made the wrong decision. But a determination she’d inherited from her famous ballerina mother kept her moving forward. And as she gradually learned about the past, Kate came to realise there was a deep and romantic love story which had spanned decades unfolding in front of her.
From 1928 England, when Tom and Alice first met as children, through the war years in Paris of 1939 and on to Kate and her search in 1986, the lives of those involved took many turns. While there was happiness, there was also sadness and grief. What would Kate find in her often desperate but also hesitant search?
The Book of Lost and Found by Lucy Foley is a story of deep and abiding love, but of separation and sadness, loyalty and caring. I thoroughly enjoyed the journey with Kate through the lives of the characters as she slowly found the answers she sought. The Book of Lost and Found is one I have no hesitation in recommending.
With thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for my copy to read and review.
Kate’s journey to find the woman in the portrait would take her to many places – from her home in London, to Corsica, Paris and New York. When she was finally able to arrange a meeting with the reclusive but famous artist, Thomas Stafford on the island of Corsica, she had no idea what the future would be. She was nervous, scared and sure she had made the wrong decision. But a determination she’d inherited from her famous ballerina mother kept her moving forward. And as she gradually learned about the past, Kate came to realise there was a deep and romantic love story which had spanned decades unfolding in front of her.
From 1928 England, when Tom and Alice first met as children, through the war years in Paris of 1939 and on to Kate and her search in 1986, the lives of those involved took many turns. While there was happiness, there was also sadness and grief. What would Kate find in her often desperate but also hesitant search?
The Book of Lost and Found by Lucy Foley is a story of deep and abiding love, but of separation and sadness, loyalty and caring. I thoroughly enjoyed the journey with Kate through the lives of the characters as she slowly found the answers she sought. The Book of Lost and Found is one I have no hesitation in recommending.
With thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for my copy to read and review.
March 4, 2016
Can't believe this is a debut novel! I absolutely loved it! Thought it was beautifully written. It spans from the 20's to the 80's, told from a few perspectives, and travels from England, Corsica, Paris, & New York. All executed brilliantly. Loved this story even though it was heartbreaking.
May 19, 2015
The story starts with a drawing of a woman. All that identifies her is that she is, ’a friend of the artist’s’ and the pen and ink drawing was from around 1929. From there it moves back to the meeting in1928 between Tom Stafford and Alice Eversley. These two had known each other as children and lost touch over the years.
It then jumps forward to Kate who is trying to come to grips with the death of her mother and best friend. Lovely to see a mother and daughter relationship portrayed so positively, instead of the negative representations of the mother /daughter relationship we often get in books. I really related to Kate and to her grief for her mother. Kate’s mother was a famous ballet dancer. It isn’t until her adopted grandmother Evie dies and Kate is going through her things that Kate finds there was a lot more to her mother’s and her real grandmother’s story than she ever knew.
I loved the descriptions of Corsica in this book and I liked the way the story developed to help us learn more of Kate’s real grandmother. I enjoyed this novel and the way secrets and events from the past that shaped lives are revealed. While it was an entertaining read about relationships, love and sacrifice, it wasn’t for me a completely compelling read. Still, it was a very enjoyable way to spend the time and the characters and setting were well developed and portrayed. This is a debut novel and I will be interested to read more of this author.
It then jumps forward to Kate who is trying to come to grips with the death of her mother and best friend. Lovely to see a mother and daughter relationship portrayed so positively, instead of the negative representations of the mother /daughter relationship we often get in books. I really related to Kate and to her grief for her mother. Kate’s mother was a famous ballet dancer. It isn’t until her adopted grandmother Evie dies and Kate is going through her things that Kate finds there was a lot more to her mother’s and her real grandmother’s story than she ever knew.
I loved the descriptions of Corsica in this book and I liked the way the story developed to help us learn more of Kate’s real grandmother. I enjoyed this novel and the way secrets and events from the past that shaped lives are revealed. While it was an entertaining read about relationships, love and sacrifice, it wasn’t for me a completely compelling read. Still, it was a very enjoyable way to spend the time and the characters and setting were well developed and portrayed. This is a debut novel and I will be interested to read more of this author.
March 17, 2019
This novel begins with Thomas Stafford and Alice Eversley in 1928, and re-aligns in 1986 when Kate, an art student and photographer, was lead back into her mysterious family history with the death of her famous mother. The reader is taken on a three-narrative-journey from London, to Paris, to Corsica and New York and finally, after spanning three different historical eras in the twentieth century, concludes with a realistically portrayed happy ending--of some sorts.
It is a captivating read. For WWII-readers there might not be really something new, it's like telling the same story over and over again, but with different characters and different places. Yet, although sad, the novel remains an entertaining read about the suffering and challenges of a brutal war on the art world and the people living to tell their tales. There is a wee bit of overkill in the historical background, with too many characters added to fulfill the drama. Too much of a good thing.
However, it was a very good choice and one that should be considered seriously by historical fiction junkies.
The author manages to stir an emotional reaction to just about every scene and character in the plot. The prose is really good, devoid of sentimental fuzz. I enjoyed the authors economy with words and her ability to use show don't tell proficiently.
This is the third book of this author that I tried, and once again, loved the writing style and prose.
Recommended.
It is a captivating read. For WWII-readers there might not be really something new, it's like telling the same story over and over again, but with different characters and different places. Yet, although sad, the novel remains an entertaining read about the suffering and challenges of a brutal war on the art world and the people living to tell their tales. There is a wee bit of overkill in the historical background, with too many characters added to fulfill the drama. Too much of a good thing.
However, it was a very good choice and one that should be considered seriously by historical fiction junkies.
The author manages to stir an emotional reaction to just about every scene and character in the plot. The prose is really good, devoid of sentimental fuzz. I enjoyed the authors economy with words and her ability to use show don't tell proficiently.
This is the third book of this author that I tried, and once again, loved the writing style and prose.
Recommended.
March 21, 2017
The first half of this book was slow. I am 66% finished. I am shelving it as finished. I'm not sticking around to find out how it ends. I really don't care how it ends. Too bad - the plot is interesting but oh, so slow! Four months in the life of Kate Darling - with brief flashbacks to the early 20th century - should not take four months to read.
This is a debut novel. This author has great potential. She notices the details. She uses some lovely phrases. She understands human emotions. She just uses too many words! One lovely starry sky could have been described in one well-constructed sentence instead of four long clumsy ones. That is only one example of her verbosity.
The publishing industry has not done itself any favours by cutting back on editorial services. With a good editor, this book could have been spectacular. Lots of people want to read spectacular books! Tighten up a book and increase the sales. A good editor would have inspired the author to whittle down all those looooooong descriptions. A good editor would also have cleaned up all the awkward sentences and grammatical errors. Really, a four-sentence paragraph with eight "I"'s in it?
I would be the first person to agree that language evolves. I don't dislike or deny evolution. But even in the process of evolution, some things do not change, or change more slowly. As far as I know, "I" is still used as the subject and "me" as the object. Confusion reigns supreme when either of these words is joined with "and" to another subject or object. For example, "Bill and I are going" is correct whereas "Go with Bill and I" is not. Seriously, would you say "Go with I"? Well, when in doubt, pretend that "Bill and" is not there! Yes, a good editor would have corrected these errors. And yes, this particular very common error annoys me!
I could say more, but it would not be complimentary, and I have already wasted enough time giving this book too many "second" chances. Your luck has run out, Kate Darling. Au revoir. Have fun in New York City!
This is a debut novel. This author has great potential. She notices the details. She uses some lovely phrases. She understands human emotions. She just uses too many words! One lovely starry sky could have been described in one well-constructed sentence instead of four long clumsy ones. That is only one example of her verbosity.
The publishing industry has not done itself any favours by cutting back on editorial services. With a good editor, this book could have been spectacular. Lots of people want to read spectacular books! Tighten up a book and increase the sales. A good editor would have inspired the author to whittle down all those looooooong descriptions. A good editor would also have cleaned up all the awkward sentences and grammatical errors. Really, a four-sentence paragraph with eight "I"'s in it?
I would be the first person to agree that language evolves. I don't dislike or deny evolution. But even in the process of evolution, some things do not change, or change more slowly. As far as I know, "I" is still used as the subject and "me" as the object. Confusion reigns supreme when either of these words is joined with "and" to another subject or object. For example, "Bill and I are going" is correct whereas "Go with Bill and I" is not. Seriously, would you say "Go with I"? Well, when in doubt, pretend that "Bill and" is not there! Yes, a good editor would have corrected these errors. And yes, this particular very common error annoys me!
I could say more, but it would not be complimentary, and I have already wasted enough time giving this book too many "second" chances. Your luck has run out, Kate Darling. Au revoir. Have fun in New York City!
March 29, 2015
Kate is grieving the loss of her mother, the world renowned ballerina June Darling, when she receives some startling information from her grandmother Evie. June had always known that she was adopted but believed that her mother had never tried to find her. However, Evie gives Kate a letter and a beautiful drawing of a lovely young woman and sets in train a journey of discovery that takes Kate to Europe and America in search of the truth.
This is an unusual love story disrupted by the conventions of the times, careers and by war. The writing is very assured for a debut novel and the characters are well drawn, particularly the central women, Alice and Kate and artist Thomas Stafford. It makes for a fascinating tale, spanning three generations, continents and time periods seamlessly.
With thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for a copy of the book to read and review
This is an unusual love story disrupted by the conventions of the times, careers and by war. The writing is very assured for a debut novel and the characters are well drawn, particularly the central women, Alice and Kate and artist Thomas Stafford. It makes for a fascinating tale, spanning three generations, continents and time periods seamlessly.
With thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for a copy of the book to read and review
January 7, 2024
"I think we carry all of our past selves with us, in tight layers. Somewhere within you is that girl, however many other, new selves you may have grown in the years since. She's what hold you together, at the very center."
This story is Lucy Foley's first novel, published in 2015. It's so unlike her following works, which are mainly thrillers. It was inspired by a trip that she took to Corsica and the experience she had while visiting the place.
The Book of Lost and Found is a love story, of sorts, that spans decades, beginning in the 1920s. Tom and Alice fell in love at a young age, but somehow life seems to be against them being together. Birth rights, wartime, and career ambitions continually pull them apart. Throughout the years, they find one another and it's as if time stands still with their love unaltered. It's not until a young girl, named Kate, discovers a photo in her family possessions that bears a canning resemblance to her own mother that she discovers the true story of her grandparents.
**I was swept away with this story, though admittedly, I got rather frustrated with Alice on her journey with Tom. She made it so much more difficult than it should have been and her life choices didn't always make sense to me. Nevertheless, the novel is beautifully written and sucked me in from page one.**
This story is Lucy Foley's first novel, published in 2015. It's so unlike her following works, which are mainly thrillers. It was inspired by a trip that she took to Corsica and the experience she had while visiting the place.
The Book of Lost and Found is a love story, of sorts, that spans decades, beginning in the 1920s. Tom and Alice fell in love at a young age, but somehow life seems to be against them being together. Birth rights, wartime, and career ambitions continually pull them apart. Throughout the years, they find one another and it's as if time stands still with their love unaltered. It's not until a young girl, named Kate, discovers a photo in her family possessions that bears a canning resemblance to her own mother that she discovers the true story of her grandparents.
**I was swept away with this story, though admittedly, I got rather frustrated with Alice on her journey with Tom. She made it so much more difficult than it should have been and her life choices didn't always make sense to me. Nevertheless, the novel is beautifully written and sucked me in from page one.**
May 7, 2019
One of these days I will learn that just because I love a recent work of an author does not mean that I will automatically love all of that author's books - especially their debut book. As much as I adored Lucy Foley's recent book, The Hunting Party, this one just did not work for me in any way.
In my experience, in a good parallel story, the past is at the heart of the tale whilst the present day acts in a secondary manner weaving in and around it. In this book however, the past story - which begins with so much promise - takes a back seat to the tangled, far-fetched, chick-lit present, and when the past finally becomes the main focus towards the end, I'd long since started skimming, which I hate doing, but there are books I just can't continue to drudge through.
As far as the "mystery," unless you are completely clueless, the answer is obvious from chapter one - all parentage, etc, is pretty much summed up immediately. Knowing the who in this case is much more satisfying than the why, but still Lucy Foley decides to focus on the why - but honestly, I have no clue as to why she would, as she only succeeded in weakening her own substantial setup. It was all just convoluted and unnecessary, and then to add insult to injury, the ending wasn’t terribly satisfying either.
Sadly, a bit of a waste of time all round. I will stick with Foley's recent works. 2 stars.
In my experience, in a good parallel story, the past is at the heart of the tale whilst the present day acts in a secondary manner weaving in and around it. In this book however, the past story - which begins with so much promise - takes a back seat to the tangled, far-fetched, chick-lit present, and when the past finally becomes the main focus towards the end, I'd long since started skimming, which I hate doing, but there are books I just can't continue to drudge through.
As far as the "mystery," unless you are completely clueless, the answer is obvious from chapter one - all parentage, etc, is pretty much summed up immediately. Knowing the who in this case is much more satisfying than the why, but still Lucy Foley decides to focus on the why - but honestly, I have no clue as to why she would, as she only succeeded in weakening her own substantial setup. It was all just convoluted and unnecessary, and then to add insult to injury, the ending wasn’t terribly satisfying either.
Sadly, a bit of a waste of time all round. I will stick with Foley's recent works. 2 stars.
January 6, 2025
“In many ways, my life has been rather like a record of the lost and found. Perhaps all lives are like that. Lost: love; found…”
This debut novel by the author was a donation to my Little Free Library Shed. It was not a typical Foley mystery. And, I am not always a fan of her writing. My past reviews of her books, I have given her anywhere from 2 – 5 stars. But I was interested in the premise, and the fact that this was her debut novel, so I decided to read it. It also won the Crime and Thriller Book of the Year at the British Book Awards.
In 1986, Kate, a young photographer is mourning the loss of her mother June, a celebrated ballerina. After June’s adoptive mother, Evie passes, Kate discovers a sketch of a beautiful woman who resembles her mother. Who was this woman – and why does she look so much like June? This sketch leads Kate on a quest to find the artist, Thomas (Tom) Stafford, an elderly widow living in Corsica.
The story takes us back in forth in time. Readers will most likely appreciate the scene settings. Foley’s writing helps us to visualize the rocky Corsican coast, the unconventional 1920s and the terror of France during the war. But even with these skillful descriptions, sometimes it was difficult to follow the narrative, thus making the storytelling a bit flawed.
While imperfect, the story had its moments of softness and heart. But the whiplash experienced by the abrupt viewpoint changes during the later chapters were frustrating. I also felt let-down by the ending.
Still, this was a slow-moving novel with well-thought out, beautifully drawn characters, and a historical fiction mystery that might appeal to some readers. Obviously, I was conflicted by this one.
3.5 stars
This debut novel by the author was a donation to my Little Free Library Shed. It was not a typical Foley mystery. And, I am not always a fan of her writing. My past reviews of her books, I have given her anywhere from 2 – 5 stars. But I was interested in the premise, and the fact that this was her debut novel, so I decided to read it. It also won the Crime and Thriller Book of the Year at the British Book Awards.
In 1986, Kate, a young photographer is mourning the loss of her mother June, a celebrated ballerina. After June’s adoptive mother, Evie passes, Kate discovers a sketch of a beautiful woman who resembles her mother. Who was this woman – and why does she look so much like June? This sketch leads Kate on a quest to find the artist, Thomas (Tom) Stafford, an elderly widow living in Corsica.
The story takes us back in forth in time. Readers will most likely appreciate the scene settings. Foley’s writing helps us to visualize the rocky Corsican coast, the unconventional 1920s and the terror of France during the war. But even with these skillful descriptions, sometimes it was difficult to follow the narrative, thus making the storytelling a bit flawed.
While imperfect, the story had its moments of softness and heart. But the whiplash experienced by the abrupt viewpoint changes during the later chapters were frustrating. I also felt let-down by the ending.
Still, this was a slow-moving novel with well-thought out, beautifully drawn characters, and a historical fiction mystery that might appeal to some readers. Obviously, I was conflicted by this one.
3.5 stars
May 3, 2021
So what makes a book worthy of 5 stars? For fiction, it has to be one that I couldn't put down at for at least a large chunk of it. Since I can rarely finish a book in one day even if I want to, if I end up dreaming about the book that's also a sign of 5 stars. Historical fiction has to have a significant anchor in the history it's drawing from AND a great story that is both timeless and is tied to the time described simultaneously.
I started it Apr 29 figuring I'd probably finish it the week leading up to Mother's Day. I felt from the description it would be a good 'themed' read due to the 'mother' story line. Well...I finished it May 1. Ooops! I just couldn't put it down.
To further expand on what I liked about this book so much, unfortunately, requires spoilers. Seriously, if you haven't read it-- don't open the spoilers.
I enjoy characters on intellectual pursuits. Depending on how it's treated, sometimes artsy things don't really get my attention as much as more 'nerdy' subjects, but I continued to feel myself moved by the art described and how it spoke about life more than I have enjoyed looking at some [real] art in person!
Read this book if 'cozy' novels are not sufficient for you and you enjoy fiction but need it to be a superb story. This book is very grounded in the tragedy of life but really does a great job of making you feel the sliver linings of the dark clouds. Other themes of the book that may interest someone would be mothers, daughters, grandparents, family that is 'chosen' but not family by blood, art, dance, photography, Italy, London, Paris, WWII.
Some quotes I liked:
On being a tourist: "Worse, she is only too aware of herself as one of these hapless visitors. She is convinced that there is another life--the life of the true Venetians, hidden behind a veil that is drawn to hide it from curous foreigners. She longs to discover it for herself."
On 'feeling' history: "Early in the day, the air in the museum has a peculiar chill and stillness, hung with moets of dust that stir lazily as she moves through the rooms. Alice has wondered whether the temperature in the rooms is affected by the artefacts themselves - wondered if they carry with them some memory of the cold earth in which they were buried for so long."
I started it Apr 29 figuring I'd probably finish it the week leading up to Mother's Day. I felt from the description it would be a good 'themed' read due to the 'mother' story line. Well...I finished it May 1. Ooops! I just couldn't put it down.
To further expand on what I liked about this book so much, unfortunately, requires spoilers. Seriously, if you haven't read it-- don't open the spoilers.
I enjoy characters on intellectual pursuits. Depending on how it's treated, sometimes artsy things don't really get my attention as much as more 'nerdy' subjects, but I continued to feel myself moved by the art described and how it spoke about life more than I have enjoyed looking at some [real] art in person!
Read this book if 'cozy' novels are not sufficient for you and you enjoy fiction but need it to be a superb story. This book is very grounded in the tragedy of life but really does a great job of making you feel the sliver linings of the dark clouds. Other themes of the book that may interest someone would be mothers, daughters, grandparents, family that is 'chosen' but not family by blood, art, dance, photography, Italy, London, Paris, WWII.
Some quotes I liked:
On being a tourist: "Worse, she is only too aware of herself as one of these hapless visitors. She is convinced that there is another life--the life of the true Venetians, hidden behind a veil that is drawn to hide it from curous foreigners. She longs to discover it for herself."
On 'feeling' history: "Early in the day, the air in the museum has a peculiar chill and stillness, hung with moets of dust that stir lazily as she moves through the rooms. Alice has wondered whether the temperature in the rooms is affected by the artefacts themselves - wondered if they carry with them some memory of the cold earth in which they were buried for so long."
March 23, 2015
It wasn't until after finishing The Book of Lost and Found I realised that this was a debut novel for Lucy Foley. I would not have picked it for a debut novel.
This is going to sound very whacky, but here goes. When thinking of what to write for a review for this novel, the words 'Sunday stroll' keep popping into my head. The experience of reading The Book of Lost and Found, was like taking a leisurely walk on a pleasingly familiar path that is speckled with beautiful scenery.
3.5 Stars
Thankyou to Netgalley and the publisher for the chance to read and review.
This is going to sound very whacky, but here goes. When thinking of what to write for a review for this novel, the words 'Sunday stroll' keep popping into my head. The experience of reading The Book of Lost and Found, was like taking a leisurely walk on a pleasingly familiar path that is speckled with beautiful scenery.
3.5 Stars
Thankyou to Netgalley and the publisher for the chance to read and review.
March 16, 2021
2.5 stars rounded up for better than average prose flow. It's slow moving and fully effusive. All generations from Thomas Stafford forward gush and emote.
It's not bad, but just never grabbed me. The modern woman mouthpiece is two dimensional at best. All the pieces fell for me from the first quarter of the switching on top of it. I've liked her other books better than I did this one. And after I finished, I read to realize that this was her debut book. Oh, she got MUCH better.
If there was an extremely kind and non-critical definition constructed that would equate almost perfectly with chick lit- this would be a poster child. Somehow or other it is also extremely unrealistic in dynamics for me. In real world eyes- pieces just don't jive like this.
It's not bad, but just never grabbed me. The modern woman mouthpiece is two dimensional at best. All the pieces fell for me from the first quarter of the switching on top of it. I've liked her other books better than I did this one. And after I finished, I read to realize that this was her debut book. Oh, she got MUCH better.
If there was an extremely kind and non-critical definition constructed that would equate almost perfectly with chick lit- this would be a poster child. Somehow or other it is also extremely unrealistic in dynamics for me. In real world eyes- pieces just don't jive like this.
April 14, 2019
This is a story about the enduring quality of true love. No matter the events, war, misunderstanding, poverty, or distance, love endures all. It is also a story about the shortcomings of life and the necessity, sometimes, to accept it as it is. Full review you can find on my blog: https://poetryofreading.blogspot.com/...
October 1, 2015
In a good dual-timeline book, the past is at the heart of the tale whilst the present day acts in a secondary manner weaving in and around it.
In this book however, the past story - which begins with so much promise - almost takes a back seat to the two-dimensional chick-lit present, and when the past finally becomes the main focus towards the end, I'd long since started skimming. It meant that despite the eventual poignancy, I had no emotional pull to any of the characters (with the exception of lovely old Tom) and just went 'meh.'
Bit of a waste of time all round.
In this book however, the past story - which begins with so much promise - almost takes a back seat to the two-dimensional chick-lit present, and when the past finally becomes the main focus towards the end, I'd long since started skimming. It meant that despite the eventual poignancy, I had no emotional pull to any of the characters (with the exception of lovely old Tom) and just went 'meh.'
Bit of a waste of time all round.
June 22, 2021
This was a beautiful story of friendships, family, and love that took place over two time periods. On audio, it was sometimes confusing to remember who was speaking and in what time period. This can be contributed to having only one (lovely) narrator and/or scattered-brain on audio. 😉
Loved the setting of and times in Paris and Corsica, so well presented that you want to jump on a plane (with a mask) and travel for a change of scenery, food, champagne and new experiences. Yes, I love and miss travel. I also love the art world brought to life in this story. Magically told.
Although part of the story is during WWII, it’s not really about that. It’s a bigger picture of how you choose certain people to be in your life, and how you chose to live without certain people in your life. Consequences…pain…love unrequited???
.
Loved the setting of and times in Paris and Corsica, so well presented that you want to jump on a plane (with a mask) and travel for a change of scenery, food, champagne and new experiences. Yes, I love and miss travel. I also love the art world brought to life in this story. Magically told.
Although part of the story is during WWII, it’s not really about that. It’s a bigger picture of how you choose certain people to be in your life, and how you chose to live without certain people in your life. Consequences…pain…love unrequited???
.
January 5, 2015
4.5 stars
Review copy from Lovereading.
Once I started reading this I didn't want to stop; Lucy Foley is a great storyteller – it’s hard to believe that this is her first novel! It’s the story of Tom and Alice beginning in 1928 in Hertfordshire and moving backwards and forwards in time and place to 1986, from Paris, to London, Corsica and New York. It all revolves around Kate, whose mother, June, had recently died in a plane crash. When Kate is given an old line drawing in pen and ink, dated 1929, of a young woman, she initially thinks it is of June, but realises that it can’t be – the date is too early and the clothes and hair are all wrong. Thus the search for the woman in the drawing and the artist begins.
There is so much I loved in this book – the characters, the settings and the time periods, against the backdrop of years before, during and after the Second World War. It’s a love story, of course, as well as a story of loss, discovery and grief as the decisions we make impact not just on our own lives but on those of others too.
It is a beautiful book and one that I’d like to re-read one day – I’m sure that I would find things in it I missed this time in my eagerness to find out what happened next.
Review copy from Lovereading.
Once I started reading this I didn't want to stop; Lucy Foley is a great storyteller – it’s hard to believe that this is her first novel! It’s the story of Tom and Alice beginning in 1928 in Hertfordshire and moving backwards and forwards in time and place to 1986, from Paris, to London, Corsica and New York. It all revolves around Kate, whose mother, June, had recently died in a plane crash. When Kate is given an old line drawing in pen and ink, dated 1929, of a young woman, she initially thinks it is of June, but realises that it can’t be – the date is too early and the clothes and hair are all wrong. Thus the search for the woman in the drawing and the artist begins.
There is so much I loved in this book – the characters, the settings and the time periods, against the backdrop of years before, during and after the Second World War. It’s a love story, of course, as well as a story of loss, discovery and grief as the decisions we make impact not just on our own lives but on those of others too.
It is a beautiful book and one that I’d like to re-read one day – I’m sure that I would find things in it I missed this time in my eagerness to find out what happened next.
September 11, 2020
This book really needed an editor. It could easily have been cut in half. A woman falls in love with a man and gets pregnant. She doesn’t tell him because she wants him to focus on his art career. She has the baby but her family tells her that it died. Meanwhile she meets the guy again after 10 years and immediately has a torrid affair. Decides not to stay with him because she loves Paris too much to leave and her independence. That’s not true love... Her baby was dumped at an orphanage and grows up to be a famous ballerina. She finds out that this is her daughter but can’t make contact with her because the plot is unbelievable. The granddaughter finds her and her grandfather when she’s in her 20’s. She meets his adopted grandson and falls in love. Writing the plot out just makes me realize how stupid and unrealistic it is. Anyway, the setting is the best part, as the characters move around the world. And everyone ends up rich in the end if you can make it that far in the plot.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 5, 2015
A gorgeous book, I loved it!
After the death of her beloved mother and grandmother, Kate is alone and bereft but has the opportunity find her unknown family through a sketch of a beautiful woman who closely resembles her mother, but was clearly from an earlier time. Travelling to Corsica, Paris and New York she uncovers the dramatic love story of Tom and Alice and the consequences of decisions made in difficult times, where happy endings are elusive.
It’s a sweeping romance that moves backwards and forwards in time, beginning with the carefree, halcyon days of the roaring twenties, through occupied Paris and beyond. Beautifully written and presented, I was totally drawn into the story and couldn’t put it down.
Thank you to lovereading and Harper for my review copy.
After the death of her beloved mother and grandmother, Kate is alone and bereft but has the opportunity find her unknown family through a sketch of a beautiful woman who closely resembles her mother, but was clearly from an earlier time. Travelling to Corsica, Paris and New York she uncovers the dramatic love story of Tom and Alice and the consequences of decisions made in difficult times, where happy endings are elusive.
It’s a sweeping romance that moves backwards and forwards in time, beginning with the carefree, halcyon days of the roaring twenties, through occupied Paris and beyond. Beautifully written and presented, I was totally drawn into the story and couldn’t put it down.
Thank you to lovereading and Harper for my review copy.
September 27, 2014
I read an advance copy of this book and really enjoyed it. Foley is a gifted writer who has created a compelling story about a young woman's search for her maternal grandmother. The writing is lovely - a joy to read - and the settings, which include New York, Paris, and Corsica, are so beautifully described I felt as though I was traveling there myself. There is also a bit of self-searching for Grace, the main character, and, while I felt the outcome there was predictable, it was no less satisfying.
July 24, 2016
I loved the cover and I found the title intriguing. The story, however, was only OKAY. It was slow going for the most part, so even though I liked the characters, it was hard to stay interested. There was also a fair amount of repetition. I'm not sure how many times the color of one person's eyes were mentioned....I lost count (there were also other accounts of this type of repetition).
The characters were portrayed well, so that was a plus. But I felt I wanted to know some of them better. The majority of the dialogue felt predictable and didn't add a lot of clarity. So 2 stars.
The characters were portrayed well, so that was a plus. But I felt I wanted to know some of them better. The majority of the dialogue felt predictable and didn't add a lot of clarity. So 2 stars.
August 2, 2021
Lijepa životna priča o neostvarenoj ljubavi koja je trajala preko 50 godina, prkoseći predrasudama, klasama i ratu.
Živopisni i predivni opisi Korzike, koji su me motivirali da guglam opisana mjesta i divim se prirodnim ljepotama u kojima su glavni protagonisti uživali svoju ljubav.
Jedna od tema je okupacija Pariza od strane nacista za vrijeme II svj.rata. Pravljenje pamfleta kao vid pružanja otpora vidu letaka i buđenja svijesti o okupatoru kod običnih ljudi. I ta tema je vjerodostojno obrađena.
Roman je prvijenac autorice i nadam se da će i ostali njeni romani uskoro biti prevedeni.
Živopisni i predivni opisi Korzike, koji su me motivirali da guglam opisana mjesta i divim se prirodnim ljepotama u kojima su glavni protagonisti uživali svoju ljubav.
Jedna od tema je okupacija Pariza od strane nacista za vrijeme II svj.rata. Pravljenje pamfleta kao vid pružanja otpora vidu letaka i buđenja svijesti o okupatoru kod običnih ljudi. I ta tema je vjerodostojno obrađena.
Roman je prvijenac autorice i nadam se da će i ostali njeni romani uskoro biti prevedeni.
June 4, 2016
First book I've read by this author and I would definitely read more!
This is one of those books where you simply can't tell if it is fiction or not, it is well written.
Little slow to start, but once you get a few chapters in you're hooked.
Lucy Foley is an author of rare skill. I looooved the descriptions of Corsica.
I loved the mystery of Alice and discovering about her over the chapters.
Definitely worth giving a go!
This is one of those books where you simply can't tell if it is fiction or not, it is well written.
Little slow to start, but once you get a few chapters in you're hooked.
Lucy Foley is an author of rare skill. I looooved the descriptions of Corsica.
I loved the mystery of Alice and discovering about her over the chapters.
Definitely worth giving a go!
September 13, 2016
3.5 y nada mal para ser la primera novela publicada de esta autora. Sigue el estilo de mi adorada Kate Morton (quizás un poco más sosegado) y nos lleva a Londres, París, Nueva York y Córcega en dos momentos distintos a través de los ojos de tres personajes que aparentemente no tienen nada en común pero que termina descubriendo un vínculo más fuerte que el arte.
September 9, 2014
Review to come on publication day. Outstanding novel.
January 19, 2024
Grāmata, kas man mazliet atgādināja pasaku, kurai grūti noticēt, bet arī tādas grāmatas reizēm ir jālasa pareizajā noskaņojumā. Mīlestība, kas nezūd, laikam ritot. Grāmatas beigās gan realitātes piegarša, kura, manuprāt, ne līdz galam iederējās.
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