The Keeper of Lost Things

Content Warning: This section of the guide contains discussion of antigay bias, illness, and death.

Gather initial thoughts and broad opinions about the book.

1. The Keeper of Lost Things explores how ordinary objects can hold extraordinary meaning in our lives. What was your overall impression of this central concept, and how did it affect your appreciation of the everyday items in your own life?

2. The novel weaves together two seemingly unrelated narratives that eventually converge in a meaningful way. How did you respond to this storytelling approach? Did it remind you of other dual-narrative novels like Diane Setterfield’s The Thirteenth Tale?

3. Hogan blends realistic contemporary fiction with supernatural elements like Therese’s ghost. What was your reaction to this mixture of the ordinary and the paranormal? Did it enhance or detract from your enjoyment of the story?

Encourage readers to connect the book’s themes and characters with their personal experiences.

1. Laura inherits not just Anthony’s house but also his mission of reuniting lost objects with their owners. Have you ever lost something of deep sentimental value, or alternatively, found something that clearly meant a lot to someone else? What emotions did that experience evoke?

2. Throughout the novel, characters form meaningful connections that transcend conventional relationships, such as Eunice’s enduring love for Bomber despite knowing he could never reciprocate romantically. What unconventional yet meaningful relationship in your life has shaped your understanding of love and friendship?

3. Anthony’s dedication to collecting lost things stems from his own profound loss. How have significant losses in your life shaped your priorities or daily habits?

4. Sunshine, with her unfiltered honesty and ability to embrace the present moment, helps Laura move beyond her past trauma. Who has been a “Sunshine” in your life—someone whose unique perspective helped you see things differently?

5. Many characters in the novel find refuge in creative pursuits: Anthony in writing, Bomber and Eunice in cinema, Laura eventually in storytelling. What creative outlets have provided you with comfort during difficult periods in your life?

Examine the book’s relevance to societal issues, historical events, or cultural themes.

1. Bomber’s experience as a gay man living through the 1970s and 1980s reflects changing social attitudes. How does the novel portray this evolution, and what similarities or differences do you see in society’s continuing conversation about LGBTQ+ issues?

2. The novel explores how Alzheimer’s disease affects both patients and their families through Bomber’s father and later Bomber himself. How does this portrayal compare to current societal understandings and conversations about dementia?

3. The Keeper of Lost Things examines our relationship with material possessions in an era increasingly concerned about consumption and materialism. How does the novel’s focus on the emotional significance of ordinary objects comment on what we choose to value in contemporary society?

Dive into the book’s structure, characters, themes, and symbolism.

1. The novel includes several embedded italicized stories about the lost objects in Anthony’s collection. How do these stories enhance the novel’s themes and your understanding of the central characters?

2. The symbol of Therese’s communion medallion serves as the emotional core of the novel. How does this object’s significance evolve throughout the story, and what other symbolic objects create meaning in the narrative?

3. Both Anthony and Bomber face profound losses: Anthony loses Therese, while Bomber loses his cognitive abilities. How does the novel contrast these different types of loss and their impact on memory and identity?

4. The novel ends with Laura beginning to write the story we’ve just read. How does this circular structure affect your interpretation of the entire narrative, and what does it suggest about the relationship between life and art?

5. The song “The Very Thought of You” recurs throughout the novel as a motif connected to memory and love. How does music function in the story, and what specific emotions or moments does this particular song evoke for different characters?

6. How does Hogan use the character of Sunshine, particularly her Down syndrome, to explore themes of perception, intuition, and emotional honesty? What literary purpose does her character serve beyond advancing the plot?

Encourage imaginative and creative connections to the book.

1. The lost objects in Anthony’s collection each tell a unique story. Which object intrigued you most, and what additional background would you create for it beyond what was revealed in the novel?

2. Laura creates a website called “The Keeper of Lost Things” to reunite objects with their owners. What real-world project could you envision that might similarly connect people through lost or found items?

3. The stories within the novel offer glimpses into strangers’ lives based on their lost possessions. Select one character from these embedded stories and describe how their life might have continued after the moment captured in the novel.

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