BOOK REVIEW: Placing A Lens On Lisa Wingate’s The Book Of Lost Friends

The Book of Lost Friends by Lisa Wingate is a new novel inspired by historical events, and nothing short of poignant and complex as it examines the interconnectedness of struggles with identity, belonging, and the enduring power of hope. The book was nominated for Reader’s Favourite Historical Fiction (2020) Goodreads Choice Award.

The author got inspired by actual “Lost Friends” advertisements that appeared in Southern newspapers following the Civil War, a time when freed slaves earnestly looked for loved ones already caught up in slavery and sold off.

Set in 1875 Louisiana, the author meticulously writes a dual narrative that links the post-Civil War era with the present-day United States of America. She shows her readers the painful reflections of history and the personal journeys of those seeking connection and closure.

The historic story lets us into the lives of three recently emancipated African American women, namely Charlotte, Hannie, and Miss Katie, as they undertake a dangerous journey to find family members from whom they were separated during slavery.

Inspired by love and determination, the women’s search is made more complex by the residual prejudice and hazards of a tumultuous, transformative time after the Civil War, when the state was targeted for rejoining the Union, rebuilding its economy, and revisiting the political and broader status of formerly enslaved people.

Wingate’s focus on detail pulls the reader into the rabbit hole of the era’s social and cultural realities: from the threats posed by unethical and corrupt landowners to the crudeness of rural life. The novel is meticulously researched and formed. Through her lead female characters, she shows the resilience and courage of those who explored a world still adverse to freedom, emphasising the strong human need for connection and identity.

The second narrative is that of Benedetta Silva in the Louisiana of 1987, a young woman and first-year teacher who finds a collection of old newspaper clippings titled “Lost Friends” in her hometown of Louisiana. These newspaper clippings document advertisements placed by former slaves seeking lost relatives.

Her character becomes obsessed with investigating the stories behind them. This modern side of the story shows how history informs our present. Her role is curiosity mixed with empathy, and the idea that knowing the past can heal the present. The Author conveys this character’s role with elegance, ensuring that the historical and contemporary stories complement each other rather than overshadowing one another.

One of the novel’s main strengths is its historical characters. She builds each character with a distinct voice and personal life, making their struggles resonate with readers, as in her characterisation of Benedetta, whose determined modern-day pursuit encapsulates the search for identity and belonging far beyond the reach of time.

 Wingate focuses on the themes of forgiveness, family, and the enduring effects of trauma. The book is both gut-wrenching and empowering, giving readers a throwback to the past and its residual effects on the present. It is a captivating storyline for anyone keen on historical fiction and values resilience, human connection, and the search for belonging.