Although I somehow managed to miss the film when it was originally shown I was persuaded to read this book, based on the screenplay, by a lovely review I read and I am so very glad I discovered “Lost Christmas.” This is a wonderful story and a perfect Christmas read for children of about 10 or 11 and older but is one of those books that has an appeal for all ages. In all honesty I think it is a perfect Christmas read full stop. Although heartbreakingly sad in places it is one of those stories that you feel better for having read.

Goose, the main character, around whom the story revolves, is a troubled boy following the death of his parents in a car crash on Christmas Eve. Living with his increasingly senile Nan, his dog Mutt is the only thing keeping him sane. His only other friend is Frank, a former friend of his father who has problems of his own and whose influence on Goose leads the boy astray. As the first anniversary of his parents’ deaths approaches Goose’s life is unravelling and he is in danger of going seriously off the rails. Then he meets the mysterious “Anthony” whom Goose finds himself drawn to, despite his strange manner and peculiar habit of littering every conversation with random facts. Can this stranger help Goose, his desperate Uncle Frank and his confused Nan to find some happiness in their lives?

I’ve always been drawn to stories that contain “what if” scenarios and in Lost Christmas David Logan uses this to perfection with the individual character’s stories intertwining extremely well. This makes you think about what really matters in life with parallels to A Christmas Carol or the film A Wonderful Life. Although clearly ideal for Christmas time it would be a thoughtful read at any time of the year.

There is sadness, adventure, magic and love all wrapped up in this book and I couldn’t put it down because I cared about the characters and wanted very much to know what would happen to them all. As a reader I was willing these people on to a happy ending. I love this book because it made me care and made me think too. This was a moving read but a very satisfying one.

For a brief taste of what the story is like you may like to watch the trailer for the film version starring Eddie Izzard as Anthony below…

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cLJZSOiVejg