Requiem for a Paper Bag: Celebrities and Civilians Tell Stories of the Best Lost, Tossed, and Found Items from Around the World (Found Anthology) [Paperback]

Davy Rothbart (Author)

Book Description

Series: Found Anthology | Publication Date: May 5, 2009

Hey! My name is Davy. I make a magazine called Found. We publish notes & letters that folks find on the street.

I asked my favorite writers, musicians, artists & entertainers to tell me about the things they've found.

These are the stories they've shared.

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

With two national best sellers (Found and Found II), a magazine of the same name and accompanying web site, and a road show across America already in place, Rothbart adds this collection of 67 pieces submitted by writers, musicians, and friends. Rothbart invited contributors—including such well-known figures as comedian Andy Samberg, musician Andrew Bird, and writers Tom Robbins, Susan Orlean, Dave Eggers, and Paulo Coelho—to share their finds or to include a short piece of fiction based on a find. Bich Minh Nguyen (Stealing Buddha's Dinner) found a photograph of her mother, whom she'd never met; Samberg found a ten-dollar bill with an obscenity written on it; Orlean found the idea for a book about orchids. Various selections are fascinating, disturbing, funny, poetic, graphic, personal, illuminating, and combinations of these. Clearly, Rothbart's idea has found a following, and his book is a keeper.—Anthony Pucci, Notre Dame H.S., Elmira, NY
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Review

"Found is a quirky lens into the flotsam and jetsam of humanity." -- Chicago Tribune

"Found is as unexpected as a tumbleweed." -- The New Yorker

"I love Found! The tales in this book prove that life is full of surprises; when you keep your eyes on the ground, you never know what you're gonna find!" -- Drew Barrymore

"Found is a trash picker's and anthropologist's dream come true!" -- Los Angeles Times

"Found is a powerful fix for thinking voyeurs!" -- The Boston Globe

"Pick up a copy of Found and be instantly utterly fascinated." -- The Guardian (UK)

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 256 pages
• Publisher: Touchstone; Original edition (May 5, 2009)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1416560548
• ISBN-13: 978-1416560548
• Product Dimensions: 9.1 x 6 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 14.1 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #229,180 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Fascinating!, May 7, 2009

By 

Buddy Guy - See all my reviews

This review is from: Requiem for a Paper Bag: Celebrities and Civilians Tell Stories of the Best Lost, Tossed, and Found Items from Around the World (Found Anthology) (Paperback)

This book is a great addition to the FOUND magazine line of publications. Different from past found books, this one is a collection of stories from people who have found things, ranging from diaries to porn to simple scraps of paper. The stories collected here are funny, touching, unique, and moving, all at the same time. Even the presentation is inspired, as stories are told in straight text, alongside comics and poems. I just got this book yesterday, and so far my favorite story is from the guy who would go on the create The Wire TV series. His story of his days as a crime reporter in Baltimore and his connection to Bob Dylan was mesmerizing. There is something here for everybody, with contributions from comedians, actors, film-makers, and bloggers. A book you can pick up anytime and just start reading.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Davy does it again, September 10, 2009

By 

Lynne M. (Philadelphia, PA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Requiem for a Paper Bag: Celebrities and Civilians Tell Stories of the Best Lost, Tossed, and Found Items from Around the World (Found Anthology) (Paperback)

As a long time fan of Found magazine and a devoted reader of Davy Rothbart's writing, I was thrilled to receive Requiem for a Paper Bag as a birthday gift. The stories are as unique as the items the writers find. Some are funny, others touching or poignant. Some tell us more about the writer than the discovered item and maybe that's the point. How much do we say about ourselves through the items we treasure or at least find interesting? I haven't read it all as I'd rather savor the stories slowly as the special treats they are. I also highly recommend Davy's short story collection, The Lone Surfer of Montana Kansas. It has the best writing I've ever found to use in my reading and writing class for teen ex-offenders. "Lie Big" and "How I Got Here" are the best for my students. The title story is a gem that stays with you long after you finish it. I'm hoping for more short stories from Davy but will be happy for now with this new anthology.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Fun and thoughtful book, August 22, 2009

By 

Kab00m "Kab00m" (United States) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Requiem for a Paper Bag: Celebrities and Civilians Tell Stories of the Best Lost, Tossed, and Found Items from Around the World (Found Anthology) (Paperback)

This is a great addition to the two Found compendiums. Here's why I think so: Although the contents of the aforementioned are worthy in their own right, they're often accompanied by short notes from the finder or some funny remarks by Davy (at the moment, I'm thinking of the lost poster for the rabbit). These little commentaries make the experience richer because, as social creatures, we want to discuss ideas with others. At the same time, one most likely looks at these books by oneself, and it's difficult to express the humor and heartbreak to the uninitiated over the phone. This book offers an extended dialogue of sorts with like minded individuals.