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The Keeper of Lost Things
- Narrated by: Jane Collingwood, Sandra Duncan
- Length: 8 hrs and 35 mins
- Unabridged Audiobook
- Categories: Literature & Fiction, Horror
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Summary
Winner of the Richard and Judy autumn book club 2017.
One of the Mail on Sunday's 'Best books for the beach this summer'
Meet the Keeper of Lost Things....
Once a celebrated author of short stories now in his twilight years, Anthony Peardew has spent half his life collecting lost objects, trying to atone for a promise broken many years before.
Realising he is running out of time, he leaves his house and all its lost treasures to his assistant Laura, the one person he can trust to fulfil his legacy and reunite the thousands of objects with their rightful owners.
But the final wishes of the Keeper of Lost Things have unforeseen repercussions which trigger a most serendipitous series of encounters....
And if you loved The Keeper of Lost Things, don't miss Ruth Hogan's second novel The Wisdom of Sally Red Shoes, which is out now.
Critic reviews
"One of the most charming novels either of us has read. Don't lose it. Keep it." (Richard & Judy)
"The first book I read in 2017 - and if another as good comes along in the next 12 months, I'll eat my special gold reviewing spectacles." (Daily Mail)
"Captures perfectly and heartbreakingly the small moments on which a life can turn." (Kirsty Wark, author of The Legacy of Elizabeth Pringle.)
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What listeners say about The Keeper of Lost Things
Average customer ratingsReviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.
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Performance
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- Mrs JEL
- 02-04-17
A story to become lost in...
Lovely, original storyline, unusual mixture of central characters, all of whom I warmed to increasingly as the plot unfolded, some of whom I liked immediately. Not my usual choice of genres, but I loved it! So much so that I found myself laughing out loud at a funeral scene on my way to my first radiotherapy treatment!
A gentle, life-affirming tale.
80 people found this helpful
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- Mrs SC
- 07-02-17
Wonderful book
A beautiful story, wonderfully read. The characters came alive on the page and Sunshine was adorable.
26 people found this helpful
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- Mrs. H. L. Rider
- 02-04-17
Enchanting
What a great premise Bagpuss for grown ups. With twists and turns I didn't see and some I enjoyed watching develop. A wonderful combination of author and performer making an amazing piece much richer for each component. The loving and honest character of Sunshine was painted with painful accuracy and much affection bringing to mind characters from my past. I loved how the author portrayed her as a young lady often underestimated, wise yet innocent. Just a hint of menace gives the tale that final boost before a gratifying finish. All in all a great listen and one I shall revisit with great relish.
24 people found this helpful
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- Amazon Customer
- 09-09-19
Listen to it Twice
nice story, had to listen to it twice as I wasnt really paying too much attention the 1st listen as i was on holiday with one eye on the daughter bobbing around on an inflatable pizza in the pool whilst a cretan from Denmark chatted her up.
9 people found this helpful
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- James Brown
- 03-10-18
Incredibly boring
The story is about a man who collects lost items. At the time of his death he gives his whole fortune to his assistant.
The assistant get the task of finding the owners of all these lost items like a hair band or a lost shoe from 1992.
The story was so unbelievable, theres a friendly ghost that haunts them, a girl with super power that can understand what the ghost is saying, on top of a totally silly love story.
Honestly don’t waste your time on this book.
9 people found this helpful
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- katie
- 28-04-17
Lovely lovely book!
I've listened to a lot of audible books but this is the first time I've felt compelled to write a review! I loved this book, it's laugh out loud funny at times, sweet without being sickly so and also moving without being cliche or 'hammy'. I've dabbles with a few books which are general fiction leaning towards 'chick lit' which mixed success, in fact I can think of only two others I enjoyed; the trouble with goats and sheep and the one plus one. This is up there with them, there a few unexplained things, there are a few subplots which could have been teased out further and which I'd have happily listened to more of, but it is still a lovely book. I even had a look at what other books Ruth Hogan had written only to find this was her first published novel!
29 people found this helpful
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- S. C. Manzi
- 18-02-17
Well woven
A beautiful love story - woven with engaging characters and a comforting denouement, very enjoyable to listen to
16 people found this helpful
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- P. Harvey-Field
- 04-04-17
Beautiful
What a lovely story. Funny and poignant, each character is as wonderfully crafted as the story itself. A love story without being overly sentimental.
15 people found this helpful
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- Victoria
- 02-04-17
bloody brilliant
Narration was lovely to listen too. Beautiful story, heartfelt and laugh out loud funny in places. Totally recommend for a listener with empathy and an open mind. I've started collecting lost things too now and pondering their stories.
18 people found this helpful
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- Jenny C.
- 05-03-17
Charming
Loved the original idea. Really well crafted characters that kept your interest throughout. Looking forward to her next one!
10 people found this helpful
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- Sarah H
- 14-11-18
Sweet but not sickly
This story is a sweet romantic story that delights you at every turn. It is not overly romantic, in fact it is rather realistic. The love story between Laura and Freddie is a realistic and integral part of the narrative. The addition of Sunshine into the mix is an excellent foil to things becoming too 'heavy'. She adds some wonderful moments of humour and honesty. The dual narrative allows for a second love story between Eunice and Bomber which ties beautifully to the main narrative. All in all a great feel good read. If you like Jojo Moyes you will enjoy this.