Read and Review: Little Shop of Found Things

Verse: "Therefore the Lord himself shall give you a sign; Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel." Isaiah 7:14

As a child growing up in small town Quincy, Florida in her grandparents home, I've been accustomed to being surrounded by vintage and antique artifacts for most of my life. Regrettably, I lacked the eye to truly appreciate them at the time and Paula Brackston's "The Little Shop of Found Things", not only reminded me of such a time, it gave me a second opportunity to truly see the significance of such things. Through a delicately woven basket of simple yet beautifully intriguing characters comes a story of unyielding endurance, and justice. Brackston illustrates just how important the actions of the present can be of use to the consequences of the past when we give pardon to the truth and sometimes that truth may come in the form of trinkets from a place out of our own time and control.

"And where shall I look for thee, when I no longer hear that voice so dear? Where shall I seek the warmth that love made all things found glow so bright and clear, look not to the heavenly stars, nor search the lofty spires, nor bid the choir sing, I will dwell among the details of our lives, my memory will linger in all the found things." -Daphne Burton Gore

My thoughts: Our main protagonist, Xanthe, both relate-able and endearing draws you in as moth to a flame, as any "Samuel" would agree. Do not find it surprising if you find yourself lurking into the well hidden doors of antique shops after finishing this book or somehow not being able to see trinkets, jails, or the year 1605 in the same light. You may even find the desire to travel to London, you may dare to grasp an artifact from an aged shelf and seek out it's song for yourself, don't be take aback by your sudden curiosity by treasures of the past and their stories.

This story has so much of an impact on the manners in which one see's the world of antiques that you will feel pleasantly enchanted by it's quirks and charms. It is to be noted that Brackston provides easy to digest information in her references to earlier century knowledge and combines that with modern day comic relief and the non-object-able touch of romance, topped with an edge of mystery and forgotten lore, within the pages of this little shop of found things.

A well written and beautifully constructed piece of work that I invite all to pop in for a visit, if you dare to leave time itself that is ;).

Rating: 10/10 Quills will read again and highly suggested

Has anyone ever read any of Brackston's novels? are you a fan? have you read this one in particular, what are your thoughts? leave your comments below! and remember:

"For the love of life and literature, stay prayerful, stay positive, and write on!"