"The Book of Lost Things" by John Connolly

John Connolly's fairy tale for adults relates the adventures of David, a 12-year-old boy growing up near London during World War 2. His mother has died of cancer and he is struggling to cope with a new stepmother, a new half-brother and a father who, working on the war effort, is rarely at home. David feels rejected, angry and alone with only the precious books in his room for company. He finds some solace in the myths and fairytales once introduced to him by his mother. When his books begin to whisper to him in the darkness he takes comfort in his imagination and, gradually, he finds that the real world and the fantasy world have begun to merge. This fantasy world at the bottom of his garden is full of the characters he has read about but is much more frightening. Bad things start to happen. The evil Crooked Man arrives and David finds himself in a land of heroes, wolves and monsters as he attempts to find the legendary Book of Lost Things. We are spared no detail as we are drawn into a dark and bizarre world where good does not always conquer evil. Along the way David learns lessons of loyalty, bravery, acceptance, sacrifice and, finally, the power of love and family. The Book of Lost Things is a moving tale of grief, loss, and discovery and of a boy becoming a man. Skillfully told, it is a story that reinforces the enduring power of stories.

John Connolly will launch the Ennis Book Club Festival on Friday 6th March and will host a Giant Book Club gathering to discuss his novel The Book of Lost Things.
Further details at www.ennisbookclubfestival.com or phone 087 2262259.