All the Lost Places by Amanda Dykes
Product Details
Web ID: 15494776Time is about to finish a story long left untold
Daniel Goodman takes on a job that will use his skills with language and sketching. His journey will take him from San Francisco to Venice, where he must search out a long-held secret, the conclusion of a story. The story of a child left adrift and found, a man without a family but raised in love. This is a story of discovery. Two men, living in different centuries seek answers. But this is so much more; this is a story of discovering who you are. This is a work of Historical Fiction, but a thread of mystery runs through it. The story alternates between the two time periods, with more attention given to twentieth century. I loved the prologue. I know some skip it, viewing it as unnecessary. But this one is beautiful - the language is music to the soul as it introduces the reader to Venice. I was provided a complimentary copy of this book with no expectations but that I provide my honest opinion. All thoughts expressed are my own.
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Customer review from barnesandnoble.com
Beautiful language
I am not sure how to describe this book - part magical, part fantastical, part soul-searching, and part beautiful love story. Amanda's books tend to be more character driven rather than plot driven. Words are big in this book. In some ways, the plot drags along while the character development races and yet the plot is imperative to the character development. The words are beautiful and full of meaning but written in a way that requires some thought if you want to discern the full meaning. To begin with, I simply couldn't get invested in the Book of Waters. I wanted to just follow Daniel's life and see how he grew in character and what he did, but as the book progressed, the whole story pulled me in. It did probably take about half of the book, before I was fully invested in the story. "The words, they are buried deep inside of you. You are always a mystery. One has to work to invite your words up. Build a staircase with questions, that they might climb out." This is just one example of the beauty of Amanda's words. I really enjoyed this book and am grateful to Bethany House via NetGalley for giving me a copy to read. All opinions expressed are my own.
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Customer review from barnesandnoble.com
Good Read
This is the first of this author I am reading. I like the slow pace of the book and it took a while for me to get into the rhythm of story. The author's writing style is unique. An inspiring story with amazing characters and a settting that makes one want to teleport there. I received a copy of this book from Netgalley and this is my honest opinion
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Customer review from barnesandnoble.com
DNF read at the mo’
I adore this author, and have read (and loved!) several other books she wrote, so was very excited for this release. Unfortunately it’s a DNF for now; just too much of a slow read, and characters that fall flat. Neither they nor the plot have drawn me in. I may try again down the line; certainly open to it and hopeful, as I know she is a talented author! I received an eARC of the book from the publisher via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.
Customer review from barnesandnoble.com
Beautiful writing
Full of eloquent language this book painted the imagination with a beautiful picture of Venice, not just descriptive of the physical aspect of the city but the emotion depicted in the very heart of the city contained within its inhabitants. I found it beautiful to read but there was so much that for me it overwhelmed the story. I found myself skipping to the people which were rich in character, well rounded and so believable my heart pounded for them, my tears fell for them, and I was immersed in their very lives. A child floating in a basket, rescued by a fisherman, and raised by a guild of five artisans was a wonderful way to begin this book. It immediately invested me in what was going to happen to this baby. Although both time lines were necessary I was drawn to Sebastien’s story, as was Daniel which drew me to him as well. Both were entwined together, though almost a century apart, and made this a most satisfying book to read. I recommend this book. I was given a copy through NetGalley, courtesy of Bethany House a division of Baker Publishing Group. This is my honest opinion of the book.
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Customer review from barnesandnoble.com
Beautiful World Building
Okay, ya'll. I am only giving this book 5 stars because I cannot give it any more. Amanda writes in a way that is realistic while being ethereal at the same time...I truly can't explain it. You just have to trust me! All the Lost Places is no exception. I have loved all the other books I have read of Amanda's and I cannot express how beautifully she crafts stories, relationships between characters, continuing to inform about cultures and places in time while doing so. I know when she has a new book out and that I am going to have to dedicate time to truly enjoy all the details over the course of the book. Do not miss out on this lovely tale of found family, artistic expression, and the importance of knowing your roots, your faith, and finding where you belong. I was an early reader, thanks to the publisher. All opinions are my own.
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Customer review from barnesandnoble.com
All the Lost Places is a treasure!
Do you dream of visiting Italy and the romantic streets that hum with history and legends? In her recent release, All the Lost Places, Amanda D. will make those dreams come true as she sweeps readers away on the canals of Venice in this picturesque tale of identity, love, and family. "Once upon the dawn of time, water discovered its eternal dance partners: shadow and light." 1807 - When a baby is discovered floating in a basket along the quiet canals of Venice, a guild of artisans takes him in and raises him as their son, skilled in each of their trades. Although the boy, Sebastien Trovato, has wrestled with questions of his origins, it isn’t until a woman washes ashore on his lagoon island that answers begin to emerge. In hunting down his story, Sebastien must make a choice that could alter not just his own future but also that of the beloved floating city. "In this land of tapestries and ropes and lace, there were no threads more intricately twined than their hearts." 1904 - Daniel Goodman is given a fresh start in life as the century turns. Hoping to redeem a past laden with regrets, he is sent on an assignment from California to Venice to procure and translate a rare book — The Book of Waters. There, he discovers a city of colliding hope and decay, much like his own life, and a mystery wrapped in the pages of the filigree-covered volume. With the help of Vittoria, a bookshop keeper, Daniel finds himself in a web of shadows, secrets, and discoveries carefully kept within the stones and canals of the ancient city… and in the mystery of the man whose story the book does not finish: Sebastien Trovato. "Does not God have as much purpose for the Daniel of now as he did for the Daniel of before?” “Who am I?” All of us have asked this question at some point in our lives, but few have sought the answers more than Sebastien Trovato and Daniel Goodman. During their quests through Venice, these young men must grapple with forgiveness, love, and their pasts until the truth stands in front of them. “The question is not the price of a man,” he said. “That has already been paid. The question . . . is that of a man’s worth. His value.” How do I begin to articulate what I just read? Be still my heart! I’m still reeling after completing this vibrant Historical Fiction beauty. All the Lost Places is a treasure that deserves to be described with only the best words. From the first page, the author captures her reader’s attention with a prologue that is a masterpiece in itself. The perfect setup for the awaiting adventure, I had to reread it before taking a deep breath and plunging into the characters’ lives and their plight to discover who they are and what they were called to do! "I am like you, Venice seemed to say. A patchwork life, whole and yet broken." I cannot recommend All the Lost Places enough! Even if you're in the middle of reading something else, I implore you to pick up a copy of this book and be transported to a world that will remind you that you are not the only one! *Thank you, NetGalley and the publisher, for providing me with a pre-release copy of this novel. All thoughts and opinions are entirely my own*
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Customer review from barnesandnoble.com
Wonderfully Poetic Novel
All the Lost Places is a dual-time narrative full of the author’s signature poetic prose, as well as lovely characters that a reader can’t help but love. Daniel especially pulled me into the story. I empathized with him as he mourned his lost artistic ability and felt burdened by his past. Plus, how delightfully bookish is a mystery surrounding an unfinished book? I loved journeying with him to Venice and reading the mysterious manuscript along with him. I will say it took me a bit of time to catch on to everything, as this is a layered story, and things are lovingly revealed at the right time. Speaking of characters, Venice as a place and setting is also in and of itself a character. I’ve never been there, but I loved the charm, beauty, and mystery of this water-bound city as presented in the pages of this book. Reading about it in this story is truly an immersive experience. The themes in the story are thought-provoking and encourage an inward look. Forgiving myself can be harder than forgiving other people. How many of us hold something against ourselves that we let someone else off the hook for long ago? Maybe I’m the only one, but somehow I doubt it. I so appreciated the redemptive reminder threaded throughout the plot of this story. A bit past halfway in the story, the author describes friendship as something that is built stitch by stitch and delicate like lace, a miracle that it can even happen, and honestly, I related this to the rest of the story as well. Sebastian thought he was without an identity, but over time, he sees how miracles both small and large stitched his life together in a way that his found-ness in God is breathtakingly evident. I received a complimentary copy of this novel from the publisher. A positive review was not required, and these are my honest thoughts and opinions.
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Customer review from barnesandnoble.com