A charming and poignant debut that draws you into the extraordinary lives of ordinary people. A widowed postman approaching retirement and a woman trapped in a loveless marriage form an unusual bond through a series of ‘undeliverable’ letters. With a quirky blend of optimism and despair it will have you roaring with laughter on one page and reaching for the tissues on the next.
In addition to our Lovereading expert opinion for Lost and Found a small number of Lovereading members were lucky enough to be invited to review this title - 'I can’t remember the last time I read a novel that made me laugh this much, although much of the tale is actually touching and heart-wrenching, it’s an intoxicating cocktail.' Scroll down to read more reviews.
It started with a letter...Carol is married to a man she doesn't love and mother to a daughter she doesn't understand. Crippled with guilt, she can't shake the feeling that she has wasted her life.
So she puts pen to paper and writes a Letter to the Universe. Albert is a widowed postman, approaching retirement age, and living with his cat, Gloria, for company. Slowly being pushed out at his place of work, he is forced down to the section of the post office where they sort undeliverable mail. When a series of letters turns up with a smiley face drawn in place of an address, he cannot help reading them.
We have asked a select number of members and browsers to review Lost and Found. You can read their reviews below.
Megan Olwen Williams - 'I can’t remember the last time I read a novel that made me laugh this much, although much of the tale is actually touching and heart-wrenching, it’s an intoxicating cocktail.' Click here to read the full review.
Julie Bickerdyke - 'What a beautiful and moving story. I adored this book ; it was easy to read with characters that you just loved right from the start...You need to read this book; it will make you smile.' Click here to read the full review.
Nicola Cooper - 'It is difficult to write a review that fully reflects how good this book is without giving too much away!...Fantastic debut novel from Tom Winter, 5*!!' Click here to read the full review.
Francesca Ashurst - 'Tom Winter’s ‘Lost and Found’ is a gem of a book. Funny, angry, touching and tender – I couldn’t put it down.' Click here to read the full review.
Catherine Larner - '...it is a lovely read, with a charming premise, and which is both moving and uplifting. I thoroughly enjoyed it.' Click here to read the full review.
Michelle Russ - 'This book was touching and heartbreaking in parts, but at no point did it feel depressing or melancholy. An excellent debut.' Click here to read the full review.
Reba Khatun - 'I found Tom Winter's writing quite mesmerising as he has the gift to make the most ordinary things funny and had me constantly laughing throughout the book. I ended this novel with both laughter and tears of joy.' Click here to read the full review.
Tracey Poulter - 'I found this a refreshingly unpretentious book about ‘finding yourself’ which made me look again at other people and wonder how much of ourselves each of us has given up.' Click here to read the full review.
Donna Smith - 'This is a lovely book telling the story of Albert a man nearing retirement from the Post Office and Carol a working housewife and mother...' Click here to read the full review.
Carol Peace - 'When I got the book I wasn't sure what to expect, A romantic letter writer? But no I was very pleasantly surprised to find it quite deep and a very compelling read.' Click here to read the full review.
J B Johnston - 'I loved this book despite its feeling of utter sadness and desperation in its characters. It’s a sad tale, but also a brave one.' Click here to read the full review.
Lou Woods - 'Well written and with a lively prose that made me want to keep reading, this story of two unlikely friends unfolds both tenderly and humorously.' Click here to read the full review.
Barbara Gaskell - 'I was quickly drawn into the lives of the two main characters. How would the journeys of a woman in the throws of re-examining her life and a widower nearing retirement come together?' Click here to read the full review.
Sallyann Spittle - 'What a refreshing book “Lost & Found” is...The author keeps you enthralled in how this story will turn out and I can assure you, you will not be disappointed.' Click here to read the full review.
Lucinda Fountain - 'Full of wit, humor and brilliant premise this is a fascinating character-study of the ups and downs of any relationship.' Click here to read the full review.
Lynda DeFreitas - 'This is a pleasant read with hidden depths. There were times when it moved me to tears and others when I laughed out loud.' Click here to read the full review.
Kath Thornton - 'A very easy read with short chapters which make the book flow along nicely. It's a black(ish) comedy about two very opposite working class people in London.' Click here to read the full review.
Zarina de Ruiter - 'Tom Winter's debut is a poignant novel about two ordinary people whose stories become extraordinary as the writing draws the reader in' Click here to read the full review.
Sue Broom - ' The characters are well drawn and their situations all too real and poignant. There is much wry humour, particularly in the dialogue, and many perceptive touches.' Click here to read the full review.
Jane Carter - 'It was lovely to read a story built around proper, old fashioned letter writing too. It starts quietly, it grows, and the ending was a little unexpected but very well judged.' Click here to read the full review.
Author
About Tom Winter
Tom Winter has always made his living from words, first as an editor and writer in magazine publishing, and then as an advertising copywriter and speech writer. His debut novel, Lost & Found, was published in five languages. He lives in Berlin, with a potted plant and a variety of noisy neighbours.
