The Keeper of Lost Things - Ruth Hogan - A Short Summary & Review

The Keeper of Lost Things - Ruth Hogan - A Short Summary & Review

By: a.d. elliott | Take the Back Roads - Art and Other Odd Adventures

A Rite of Fancy Book Recommendation and Review

Finding the stories behind the items strangers have lost.

 A short summary:

The Keeper of Lost Things follows Anthony Peardew, a quiet man who has devoted his life to cataloging and safeguarding objects lost by strangers, each tagged with careful notes and the hope that one day they may find their way home. When Anthony dies, the responsibility passes to Laura, his assistant, who slowly discovers that the items he collected are tied to unresolved grief, unfinished stories, and unexpected acts of kindness. What begins as a gentle premise unfolds into an interwoven narrative about loss, connection, and the unseen ways lives brush against one another.

My favorite quote from the book:

"If you never get sadness, how do you know what happy is like?"

- Ruth Hogan, The Keeper of Lost Things

Questions to ponder while reading the book:

Have you ever lost something important?

Have you ever found something that you were sure was important to someone else?

My review:

I’ll admit, I was a little wary when I first started this book; the premise felt almost too quaint. But The Keeper of Lost Things won me over completely. Hogan handles grief with a soft but steady hand, allowing the emotional weight of lost objects to speak without sentimentality. The small stories tucked inside the larger narrative are quietly profound, often heartbreaking, and deeply human. By the end, I was genuinely moved, reminded that even the most ordinary objects can carry extraordinary meaning, and yes, I sincerely hope I never end up labeled and tucked away in a biscuit tin.

_____________________________________________________________________________

About the Author
a.d. elliott is a wanderer, photographer, and storyteller traveling through life

She shares her journeys at Take the Back Roads, explores new reads at Rite of Fancy, and highlights U.S. military biographies at Everyday Patriot.

You can also browse her online photography gallery at shop.takethebackroads.com.

✨ #TakeTheBackRoads

Enjoyed this post? Support the adventure by visiting my sponsors, shopping the gallery, or buying me a cup of coffee!