Customer Reviews

The Notebook of Lost Things

5 star:		(8)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

The "Notebook Of Lost Things" is exactly that -- a book that takes note of lost things, people and places lost in obscurity and in history. There is no person or place in this sweetly subtle novel that is glamorous or powerful, and that is the basis for the power of the story. The author takes the mundane and weaves a memorable tale of lost souls who find each other, and in that finding manage to create meaningful lives for themselves. I very much recommend reading this novel; it is unusual in its simplicity and leaves you a better person for having read it.

For me a good book is revealed by how little time it takes me to read it. I read "The Notebook of Lost Things" in a day. The title is revealed in the book as something Helen treasures from her mother's past in firebombed Dresden. The intricate story is about ordinary people with quiet, recognizable lives. The prose is direct, economical and powerful. Deceivingly so. Staffel is an observer of astonishing powers. She notices the ordinary things we all do with an unbelievable attention to detail and nuance. The book takes a smart, perceptive look at loss and the resulting sadness. It is critical of lives lived solely for selfish reasons. Ultimately the book is an enlightened musing on how common people transcend ordinary lives to learn extraordinary lessons. It is a remarkably imaginative story. Complex and simple at the same time. Staffel's writing reminds me of Jane Smiley, particularly in the book "A Thousand Acres" in her clarity and simplicity. I can not say enough about this book. It is a sensuous, and very honest look at human nature and foible. I am continually trying to figure out how so much power is jammed into such a small book. And with such grace. Two books I have read lately sustain me with much pleasure and much to think about. Toni Morrison's "Paradise" and Megan Staffel's "The Notebook of Lost Things". In my opinion, Staffel's new novel has firmly established her as a writer of great significance.

My husband studied with Staffel, and he's always praised her as a teacher. Now it's my turn to praise her as a writer (from a fellow author). I read "She Wanted Something Else" a few years ago and thought that it was good, but I didn't connect with those characters. In "Notebook" I felt so drawn to the characters--William, Ute, the teenagers, the fat mother--that I read the entire book in one sitting. My husband's grandmother, mother and uncle all survived the bombing of Dresden, so that particular topic resonated for me as well. I wish I could get my hands on Staffel's short story collection, and I hope she writes more novels!

Ms. Staffel has used her obviously prodigous power as a narrative writer to present three generations of spellbinding people. This is a novel of people that have accepted their lives but refuse to allow their lives to overwhelm them. Were this not such a powerfully written work I would find it comparable to the writing of Carson McCullers, but it is not. This is a more beautifully conceived and intricately crafted book. I have read it twice and will read it again.

Our book group read and we had a very interesting discussion. I recommend it. She's a wonderful writer.

Working on a nationally recognized literary magazine gives me the opportunity to read some of today's best fiction. This book lierally blew me away. With this book, Ms. Staffel hits her stride. I can't wait to see her next work.

Thias book was so wonderful--it was so true to life and descriptive. I wish I could get other books by this author but I see that they are out of print. The characters were so real. They keep your attention. This story reminds us that although life is not always roses, there is still joy to be found if you look for it!

I enjoyed the insight by the author of these unusual characters in this small town. It is written smoothly and with great care. I hoped the author would have continued further . This book is well worth reading I recommend it to all.

There is only one thing to say, that this is a great book, a must read. Itąs my favorite book of the year. I couldnąt put it down, and kept sneaking away to read more!! Everybody in my house was fighting over who could read it next. The description in the opening paragraph continues to stay with me. I loved the quality of the words. Staffeląs view on things brings focus to mundane life and itąs written in poetic, elegant language - but itąs just not about words and style. It has substance and catches the essence of things. It is a grounded story that is put together magnificently. I loved her descriptions and the things that her observations helped me to see.The seemingly bleak circumstances are transcended by the details of the charactersą lives. The richness of the writing gave joy to the characters. As I read the novel there was one gem after another that I wanted to hold on to forever. I kept turning down pages to revisit later.I loved this book and highly recommend it to others.

I think it's an amazing book.. It's small and quiet,but I was not able to put it down.The writing is poetic and haunting. Very simple in a way and very profound at the same time. The notebook in the title refers to the notebook kept by a women who, with her daughter, survived the firebombing of Dresden. The notebooks were her means of holding and preserving the things that were lost to her in the destruction of the city. Most of the book takes place in a small town in western New York State where the women finally settles and actually, most of the novel takes place after she has died.The book traces the intersection of the lives of a few people who live in this same town, her daughter, who finds the last surviving notebook, being one of them. Always in the background is the presence of the women from Dresden and how her spirit touches them. The whole book is a kind of notebook of lost things - because of the way it catches and holds the lives and losses of the main characters. I thought it was an incredible book and when I finished it, I read it again. The images have really stayed with me. Many of my friends that I have told about the book have had a similar reaction.It's by far the most moving book I've read this year.