Rating: 
Summary: Disappointed, rent it from the library
Review: I won't go into a basic summary of the book because I trust someone has already done that.... After reading this short novel, I felt compelled to post a review. The Jack the Ripper and Scrooge and ghostly references felt so wasted; it wasn't until quite late in the book that the darker, fantastical references were used, and even then, not to their full potential. The main character, Winnie Rudge, is a cynical, annoying, Gen-Xer. At times, her pretentious rantings just made me want to strangle her. The narrative is over done. I think Mr. Maguire tried too hard and it just came off corny. I don't know who to be disappointed in: Mr. Maguire or his editor for allowing such mediocre fiction to be published. I know my review might now help alot of people in terms of exact details but I just felt I should shuck my review out there to those who just want a general idea.
Rating: 
Summary: Not Wicked, Not Ugly Stepsister, but still great!
Review: As many other reviewers indicated, I too read Wicked and Confessions of an Ugly Stepsister. I didn't expect this book to follow the same sort of format, offering alternate views of fantasy and fairy tale. Still, I enjoy Gregory Maguire's writing so much that it didn't matter, nor do I think it SHOULD have been the same as his first two books. It contained his great imagination, his impressive imagery, and his capacity for creating interesting characters.
I agree with one reviewer that at FIRST I found Winnie's character to be completely unsympathetic. I had no idea why I should care about her, but as the story unfolded it became more clear why she seemed cold and uncaring towards everyone, including herself. The references to Dickens clearly echoed through the story, since the theme had to do with being haunted by the "ghosts" of one's life. Although it went in a different direction than his first two books, I was still hooked by Gregory Maguire's incredible writing style.
Rating: 
Summary: Meh...
Review: Like many others here, I was a let down with this book. The whole Jack the Ripper and Scrooge references felt forced and I was expecting more to come out of those parallels. The story itself held no real surprises and by the end I was hoping Winnie would go through with her plan at the cloister, but of course I knew she wouldn't. Maguire still has a flair for words though; there is no doubt about that. There as some well done passages, and I especially liked the scene during the power outage...very vivid and spooky. So for that I will round UP my 2.5 star rating to 3 stars.
Rating: 
Summary: sigh. i'm disappointed.
Review: I consider Maguire to be one of my favorite authors, because I loved Wicked and Stepsister so very much. I heard that Lost was a totally different format, so I tried to read it with an open mind, knowing that it wasn't fairy tale-esque. But I was just plain bored. I gave it two stars because I did indeed finish it...hoping that I would be dazzled by a surprise ending. But no, it just bored me and I am disappointed and I hadn't wasted my money. Please! Read Wicked and Confessions of an Ugly Stepsister and revel in them, but don't bother with Lost.
Rating:
Summary: A little difficult to 'feel'...
Review: As others, I'd read Maguire's previous books (as well as some of his children's titles). From the jacket description, I didn't expect the book to follow in the same vein as Stepsister and Wicked. However, I did expect certain elements of Maguire's earlier writings to be in evidence -- namely, his characterization abilities. I found it difficult to feel much sympathy, or even care for Winnie -- even at the end of the book -- she still seemed hollow to me. Or, maybe it's just that I didn't LIKE her character at all... but I don't think I was given enough information about her to actually care where the story was taking her.
Rating:
Summary: So Much Promise...
Review: Just for the wonderful ideas all put together in this one novel, I give it 3 stars. But oh, it could have been so much better! I really, REALLY, wanted to like this book, and I do, but there is still so much potential waiting to be further developed in its pages. I feel like I could have gotten to know Winnie Rudge better; I find her quite fascinating and want to penetrate even deeper into the story of her life, that's why I was left hanging by the time I got to the novel's end. I really want to know what happens between her and John after everything. And what was the impact of the entire haunting on her? I don't know. Maybe author Gregory Maguire wants to give us readers the impression that Winnie doesn't care much to deliberate over such things that's why not a whole lot happens after all that haunting business. I wish a more absorbing sequel (for all its merits this one drags) were written. Read it if only for its promising plot and characters.
Rating:
Summary: Lost Me
Review: Unfortunately Gregory Maguire tried too hard. For two hundred and fifty pages I couldn't close this book. The subtle intermingling of supernatural with plain coincidence left me dying to find out just what would happen to Winnie Rudge. Unlike many other reviewers, for me the fault came not with the intertwining of Scrooge mythology or the narrators fascination with children's literature as both themes were masterfully handled. The problem with this book is that the author,
much like his main character, didn't know where the book was going when he started. The last one hundred pages were unbelievable and swiftly undecided. Rather than choosing between the supernatural and a character's dementia he went after both. The result is a good idea poorly executed. To the reader it seems as though Maguire couldn't make up his own mind and the book suffers for it.
Rating: 
Summary: Finish the Book and Be Found
Review: I wondered where this was going about half way through. I am happy I finished it as it was worth the confusion. I did not compare it to Wicked and Stepsister because it has been some time since I read those. I don't expect an author to keep writing in the same vein. Those that put (or threw) Lost down half way through missed a surprising and entertaining read. The fact that it did drag a bit at times kept me from giving it five stars. Three and a half would be more like it. Don't be tempted to skim over the "Wendy" portions. It will all make sense.
Rating:
Summary: Redefines the word turgid
Review: After reading this novel I find I have to agree with the majority of the written opinions here -- it's just plain ghastly. It's a tedious mess of self-concious writing trying desperately to be clever. All the characters are too sharp and tinny burdened with atrocious dialogue.
Rating:
Summary: Lost in a "Novel" Idea
Review: I really tried with this book. Tried to like it, that is. I wanted to appreciate the contradictory narrative stylings: the book is both innovative and traditional, Dickensian and urban.
In "Lost" Maguire tries too hard. The crux of a good ghost story is it's simplicity. In scripting this tale set in London, and bringing up the notions of practically every popular British writer's works (as well as British history with Jack The Ripper), and setting his characters in the ranks of Carroll's Alice, Barrie's Peter Pan, Dickens' Scrooge, Maguire writes his doom. The book becomes self-indulgent. Sure, this all may sound good to the writer, and one is certain he enjoyed writing it, and reading it, and thinking how clever his ideas are - but I can't digest these words.
I am giving this book two stars, because of the "novel" idea. Read Maguire's other books instead. He can be an excellent wordsmith. Just don't use this book as an example. Do yourself a better service by picking up Dicken's Christmas Carol. Bah...Humbug!
| 
