All the Lost Things

A Novel

De: Michelle Sacks

Narrado por: Cassandra Morris

From "a master of slow-burn suspense" (Shelf Awareness), a simmering family drama about a father and daughter who embark on a road trip through the American South -- but what they're leaving behind is as important as what lies ahead.
When we first meet seven-year-old Dolly, she immediately grabs us with a voice that is both precocious and effervescent. It has been a while since her dad has spent time with her, just the two of them, and so when he scoops her up and promises to take her on the adventure of a lifetime, Dolly is thrilled.
The first days on the road are incredibly exciting. Every pit stop promises a new delight for Dolly and her favourite plastic horse, Clemesta, who she's brought along for the adventure. There are milkshakes, shopping sprees, a theme park, and all the junk food she isn't allowed to eat under her mother's watchful eye. And, for the first time, she has her father's attention all to herself. But as they travel farther south, into a country Dolly no longer recognizes, her dad's behavior grows increasingly erratic. He becomes paranoid and irresponsible, even a little scary. The adventure isn't fun anymore, but home is ever further away. And Dolly isn't sure if she'll ever get back.
A compulsively readable work of psychological suspense from the first mile to the last, All the Lost Things introduces a remarkable young heroine who leaps off the page, charts a life-changing journey, and ultimately reveals the sometimes heartbreaking intersections of love, truth, and memory.

Reseñas de la Crítica

"A slim road trip into mystery firmly in the vein of Emma Donoghue's Room...Dolly is a funny and surprisingly substantive little girl, and an acute observer of human behavior...Surprisingly emotional."—Vanessa Friedman, New York Times Book Review

"Sacks proves herself a master of slow-burn suspense...The tension in this emotionally nuanced novel comes not from the question of what Dolly's father actually did...but from where this physical journey and mental unfolding may take them, and what might be lost along the way. Michelle Sacks's All the Lost Things delivers a poignant portrayal of a child in the midst of unthinkable circumstances."
—Alice Martin, Shelf Awareness

"This book carried the power of Emma Donoghue's amazing Room...I loved this enchanting book. Dolly Rust captivated me from the first page and I could not look away. I am in awe of Michelle Sacks's writing skill in finding a unique voice that is precocious and pure, innocent and wise, tender and brave. She climbs into a seven-year-old's mind whose world is broken and steers us over rocky roads to a safe haven."—Leah Weiss, bestselling author of If The Creek Don't Rise

"A book not to be missed. Michelle Sacks digs deep into the nature of emotional survival in this enthralling, heartbreaking tale. You will not close this book dry-eyed but you will fall in love with Dolly and her sidekick Clemesta, just as I did. "—Susan Crandall, bestselling author of Whistling Past the Graveyard and The Myth of Perpetual Summer

"A gripping domestic tale...From the moment their so-called 'adventure' begins, a sense of foreboding permeates...The author is adept at generating tension and showing the inevitability of the past (and the law) catching up."
—Publishers Weekly

"Sacks's second novel is another family drama tinged with psychological suspense...Dolly's unreliability as a narrator, owing to the simple fact that she is a child, adds suspense and results in a surprising twist."
—Kathy Sexton, Booklist

Praise for You Were Made for This
"Riveting...Sacks delivers a brilliant, unflinching look at a household under siege from itself." —Associated Press

"A searing first novel. A picture-perfect family leading picture-perfect lives is gradually, unnervingly unpeeled."—David Canfield, Entertainment Weekly

"Sacks's storytelling shines...She explores the ways in which unhealthy relationships can wreak irrevocable damage on those involved--and everyone surrounding."—Megan McCluskey, Time Magazine

"An engrossing tale that probes the darker corners of motherhood, friendship, and marriage."—Good Housekeeping

Sorry I didn't listen to sample

The story may be great. I don't know because I couldn't listen to the grown woman trying to sound like a little girl on and on. I suggest that people listen to a sample before buying this book.

Not my usual read

The story is well written and engaging, the narration is great but the story is very depressing and not what I usually read.

Ignore the review titled “Annoying!” This was a fabulous book!

I listened to this novel in a single sitting— that’s how good it was! The narrator was perfect, and the story grabs you from the first page.

I love listening to novels from the point of view of a child, and this is the best book of its kind since Only Child by Rhiannon Navin! It’s a very dark novel; gripping and fascinating!

This book is told through the eyes of an imaginative young girl, and there are fascinating undercurrents in every interaction she has! If you pay attention, you’ll figure out what happened pretty early on— but that doesn’t take away from this story. On the contrary, it makes everything so much more tense.

The road trip itself was really interesting. I’ve been to a lot of the places mentioned, and they were faithfully described for the most part! I was always left wondering when the other shoe would drop, though. It’s clear from the start that this is no ordinary vacation!

Regarding the review titled “Annoying!” I don’t know what that person’s problem was. There was no discernible political agenda in this novel— just the mention of a trans student early on, and a gay couple later. That’s it.

The only thing I can think to critique is that it ends somewhat abruptly. I wish we’d gotten more of the “after” in this novel. I dearly hope we see a sequel— perhaps of teenage Dolly coming to terms with everything she went through in this novel.

I heartily recommend this book. If you liked Only Child by Rhiannon Navin or Room by Emma Donoghue, you’ll enjoy this one (although, it’s nowhere near as dark as Room.)

Beautiful and heart broken

Dolly’s voice is so sweet, imaginative and wonderful. I loved her innocence at the same time heart breaking. Cassandra’s performance was amazing. Overall a heartfelt story.

A child's view

This book had me laughing and thinking back to when I was a child. The ending had a twist I dod not expect. Very good read.

Favorite all around

I listen to 1-2 books a week. I was disappointed about how long it had been since I really enjoyed a book. Then this. Just right. Thnx

Loved!

This was fabulous! Nothing like I thought it would be!Totally intriguing all the way to the end!!

Wonderful

If your looking at this review then yes buy the book. It was a adventure I enjoyed very much.

Quite an imaginative author.

The child in this story was so fun to listen to. The narrator performed as if I was listening to a very expressive little girl. Therefore, the writing was exceptional. I wish the story had been a little different, but without ruining it, a very interesting, funny, sad, complicated, but GREAT listen. I might have to steel a few of Molly’s explanatory phrases or word meanings.

Know What You're Buying

I read the reviews and the summary, but still didn't fully understand what I was in for. Maybe it's obvious and I should have, but in case it's not, the entire book is narrated from a 7-year-old's perspective. As adults, we can (hopefully) understand what is happening in the story pretty quickly, but it is interesting how the author brings it all together. It was annoying to hear the narrator use a fake child's voice throughout, but you can decide if you can tolerate that by listening to the sample. What really ruined the book for me was all of the superfluous comments added in to really make the point that this narrator is a child. Yes, children's brains jump from one topic to another. And gifted children often like to explain/teach things. But not every. Single. Sentence. That's what it felt like at least. For example, she would say something related to the trip. Then she would define that word. Then she would say how she knows that definition and remind us that she's "advanced." If this happened a few times, it would have appropriately made the point. But I swear it happened a minimum of 300 times in the book. So just consider yourself warned.