By Megan Francis, Brisbane City Council librarian
The Lost Story, following on from her acclaimed debut novel “The Clockwork Island” released in 2023, Meg Shaffers’ second book is promoted as “Narnia for grown-ups” and more than delivers on this promise. It incorporates all the elements of beloved classic adventure tales – faraway lands filled with mythical creatures, heroic princes, a stately queen, dark villains, quests to dangerous lands, sacred relics and more. But the addition of adult motivations and emotions by the characters give depth and complexity that takes the story to another level.
The story begins with Jeremy and Ralph, best friends who get lost in the woods during a high school excursion. When they finally emerge several months later, only Jeremy has memories of their time in the woods and refuses to talk about what happened, even to Ralph. Their once-close friendship dissolves into a fifteen-year estrangement.
Jeremy becomes an acclaimed finder of lost girls while Ralph is a recluse, struggling with his mental health and trying to understand his missing past through art. Emily, a recently bereaved young woman, contacts Jeremy to find a sister who disappeared in those same woods. Initially reluctant to help, Jeremy seeks out Ralph and together the three embark on a search to find not only a missing sister but lay to rest the ghost of past traumas and regain the bond they have been unable to claim since their return from the woods all those years before.
With all great reads, the temptation to race to the end to know what happens next competes with the bittersweet knowledge that the adventure is drawing to a close. Happily, like many classic tales, “The Lost Story” is simply a joy to read, once or many times.
“The Lost Story”
Meg Shaffer, Random House Books, $34.99
