Random Things Tours: Lost Property by Helen Paris

 

I always find fascinating the possible stories of the objects exposed at the Lost&Found thus reading Lost Property, the debut novel by Helen Paris, had partly satisfied my literary curiosity. After all, how one can be drawn to a book, other than by suggesting possible intellectual adventures that may sound familiar to the brain? Dot Watson, the hero of the book, is sharing a story through snippets of lost objects she is carefully taking care of while working at Baker Street Lost Property in London.

But what really kept me interested in the story, is more than my curiosity towards her assigned workplace: it had to do with the way in which the real-life environment moulds into the narrative, involving characters and events, in other words, creating an unique literary world.

Dot Watson has a story, which is parcimoniously revealed from one chapter to the other. Most importantly that her present, she used to have a completely different way of life, living in Paris, planning to take over life with the young age enthusiasm of a surfer dancing on water against the powerful waves. But life rarely follows our beautiful projections and Dot Watson is living her life with the intensity of the moment, no matter how estranged it is from her earls dreams. It takes a lot of courage to swim through life with such a wise attitude despite the broken dreams and hearts. 

Helen Paris went to the source in order to do her research for this book, and shortly worked in a Lost Property Office as well. Having a direct contact with the people and their lost objects - including their lost significant others that disappeared without a trace - helps to understand what life looks like on the other side of the counter. But what no research can guarantee is the unique art of navigating through human emotions and feelings without feeling entangled. 

Lost Property is a literary chiselled kind of a book, the perfect companion when you are looking to read a story with an inquisitive and unforgettable cast of characters. My fantasies about Lost&Found stories are partially content with. 

Rating: 4.5 stars

Disclaimer: Book offered as part of the book tour, but the opinions are, as usual, my own