Reviews
Kirkus Reviews
A funny, sparkling, satisfying read.
A memoir of an English boyhood in the late 1960s. On a visit to his elderly father, who still lived in the house he grew up in, freelance writer Marshon was commanded to clear his old belongings out of the attic. There, he found a journal he had kept as a 9-year-old during the school year of 1967-68. Aided by the journal, he revisits that bygone time. Marshon, his parents, and his older brother lived on a cul-de-sac in a suburb of Manchester, England. Keen asides illustrate their family life: “We always knew that dinner was ready when the potatoes exploded”; his mother’s rice pudding reminded him of his brother, “as it was very pale, had skin, and was quite thick”; when his father was visited by a mysterious friend named Mr. Johnnie Walker, it always seemed to raise his spirits. The author ran with a group of other 9-year-old boys in the neighborhood. (“Together, our gang’s total IQ barely reached double figures.”) The boys navigated school, with its headmaster “Mugger Murdoch”; pondered the mysteries of girls; had hilarious and potentially dangerous adventures on ball fields, sledding hills, train tracks and ponds; and somehow managed to survive the year. (“Apparently we were all indestructible in those days as there were no seatbelts, airbags, smoke detectors, Heimlich manoeuvres or helmets.”) Marshon has a knack for describing events in a way that conveys the wonder of a 9-year-old with a very funny adult perspective: “Exciting things were always happening at the fair, like ride owners running across the backfields being chased by men with warrants.” He also poignantly looks back at his innocence: “Those days passed like bright, wintry stars on a clear December night, and like kids everywhere, I was oblivious to the fact that my childhood was slipping away with them.” Although references to uniquely British sports, food, and politics may be obscure to an American audience, Marshon’s enjoyable accounts of colorful characters and situations are universal and will leave the reader laughing out loud.
Literary Reviews
“A cracking good read, warm, funny and nostalgic”
Richard Roper
International Bestselling Author and Sr. Editor at Headline Publishing Grp
★★★★★
“A gem of a book…sharp, funny and very engaging”
Jon Curzon
Literary Agent at Artellus Ltd
★★★★★
“Hilarious, poignant and sometimes profound, ‘The Lost Journal’ is a gloriously enjoyable read”
Jonathan E Hall
Sr. Editor BCA Grp
★★★★★
Amazon Reviews
Such an incredible read... This is such a light and fun read that it will take you away from the stress of today and thrust you into the 60s. The author tells his story from the eyes of a boy who is often up to no good in a time when children could explore their world without worry of today's dangers. I really enjoyed everything about this book and even embraced the feeling of nostalgia despite never living in the 60s. This is a book you'll want to share with others.
A sharp, funny, and heartfelt dive... James Marshon’s The Lost Journal is a sharp, funny, and heartfelt dive into boyhood adventures set in 1967. With wit and charm, Marshon captures the chaos and wonder of childhood, crafting a nostalgic journey that’s both laugh-out-loud funny and deeply touching. Perfect for fans of humor and heartfelt nostalgia.
A Hilarious Nostalgic Tale of a Sixties’ Boy... James Marshon’s The Lost Journal is a remarkable read that combines brilliant intelligence with heartwarming nostalgia. Using the voice of a nine year old boy, the author delivers a captivating narration of what it feels to grow up in the charming and chaotic 1967 United Kingdom. The tales of boys' escapades with the background of the middle sixties feel nostalgic, touching and funny. James Marshon’s shines as he remembers the tales of young rebellion and friendship, making the reader feel amused at the same time that he makes them reflect on the meaning of childhood across the world. If you lived through the sixties or even if you didn’t, you will find in this book a warm feeling of nostalgia and childhood memories. You should really give this book a try if you are looking for a journey through the world's memory.
Nostalgic!... This book made me remember my childhood and feel a constant nostalgia that allowed me to feel like a child again but also to reflect on the worries and challenges I and my friends had as a child! The book tells the story of a group of friends in England in the sixties and all the thoughts, discussions, reflections that a 9 year old boy could have at that age with his classmates. What makes it even more interesting is that the text is a memory of the author who relives all those moments through a diary that he shares with us. Through this text not only the author relives his childhood but you relive yours, you get to remember the challenges that existed to grow up at that time... This book left me amazed, I laughed, I cried, I felt nostalgic but above all, I had a wonderful experience reading it! I highly recommend it!
Coming of age... In England in 1967, a group of young 9 year old boys were running and ruling the root of their little corner of town. This book is the chronicles that one of the boys wrote in a journal to be forgotten in an attic until dug up by chance. The story of this group of boys, who are coming of age, learning to be themselves in an ever changing world, is gripping and refreshing to read. The story could have been a lighthearted romp, but it doesn't shy away from the hard topics, even as lighter topics are included as well. For me, this was a great book, well rounded and easy to read. In fact, I read it in one sitting, which says something about how good it is.
Nostalgia and Adventure in 1967 England... James Marshon’s The Lost Journal is a heartwarming tale that transports readers to 1967 England, following the escapades of a spirited group of 9-year-old boys. Marshon captures the innocence, curiosity, and camaraderie of childhood in his vivid storytelling and richly detailed settings. The boys' quest, intertwined with the discovery of a mysterious journal, unfolds with humor, excitement, and a touch of nostalgia. Readers are reminded of simpler times, when every day held the promise of adventure. Perfect for those yearning to revisit the magic of youth, The Lost Journal is a charming tribute to friendship and the boundless imagination of children.
A fun journey through childhood chaos... A captivating story told through the eyes of a nine-year-old boy, it is a vivid snapshot of a time when innocence collided with the revolutionary spirit of the vibrant sixties. The witty style with which Marshon tells the story of childhood adventures and misadventures makes this book an absolute gem for anyone who is nostalgic for their own days of youth. What stands out about this book are the experiences of the protagonist with his brotherhood of friends, their wild antics and the problems they have to create a fast-paced narrative full of laughter, it is a story of growth, full of moving and fun moments. Marshon's sharp observations about childhood friendship, mischief, and the awkwardness of growing up make this book relatable and endlessly entertaining.
Very touching... I really enjoyed the story the author tells in this emotional yet funny book. I loved how it emphasizes values like friendship, loyalty, solidarity, and seeing the world from a pure and innocent perspective. The author does a great job of taking us back to our own childhoods, making us remember the adventures, the pranks we pulled, and the friendships we built in a healthy, innocent way. In my opinion, these childhood relationships are the foundation of our growth and development as people; the childhood we each had plays a big part in shaping who we are today as adults. I am not talking about education, but about the bonds we formed and the friendships we made, this is where, in my view, values like trust and honesty are developed. Even though, childhood pranks might seem silly or a bit crazy, those moments are what connect us to who we are now and to who we once were, they are deeply ingrained in us and have become part of our core.
Highly recommended... I'm truly pleased that I took my friend's advice and bought this book. This journey offers a fantastic trip back in time to childhood in the 1960s, with stories transporting you to that past era. The book creates a profoundly nostalgic mood that is extremely captivating, and it often led me to imagine how my life would have been if I had lived through that era. The writing is outstanding. Marshon perfectly captures the essence of being young in that era, and it feels strikingly authentic and genuine. I would highly recommend this book without any reservations. The reading has a great deal of humor, emotional depth, and genuine warmth. Believe me, the investment of your time will be justified.
I liked it!... I was really hooked with the story from the beginning. I really enjoy this way the author had to portray and bring back the ‘60s from the perspective of a nine year old in the UK. The humor is something really present; it is really well developed, it has its sharp moments, but overall, it feels welcoming. I think the book makes you feel like living at that time, living through all the pranks and some cringe moments. It gave sort of a nostalgia, the author did a good job romanticizing it with this sense of carefreeness. Great book to read to have some laughs here and there.
A Boyhood Odyssey: Adventures from the Swinging Sixties... The Lost Journal is a hilarious and heartwarming memoir that captures the essence of boyhood in the turbulent 1960s. James Marshon's witty and engaging prose transports readers back to a time of youthful mischief and unforgettable adventures, offering a nostalgic and entertaining glimpse into the past.
The Nostalgic and Cute Childhood Story... James Marshon's The Lost Journal, penned in 1967 in the UK, features an absurdly amusing and candid view depicting an unruly nine-year-old's continuous struggle to lead immediately reckoning with his wild and refined life. The book, in marvelous detail, epitomizes a nostalgia-parting view of childhood-the wonderful and tragic rollercoaster rides that mark growing up. Marshon writes with enough humor and engagement to make the work glow from start to finish. The novel, offered against a backdrop of broadly sweeping social changes taking place in the 1960s, delves into the burgeoning counterculture revolution through the eyes of some naughty children. The Lost Journal is mechanistic yet genuinely sentimental in its portrayal of innocence, chaos, and adventure, and will be simply fun to all who love a perfect admixture of humor and nostalgia.
Through a witty and nostalgic journey childhood is recalled.... This charming and witty exploration about growing up in the UK in 1967 is what James Marshon's lost diary chronicles. With some dry humor and lively storytelling, this book captures the messiness and companionship of nine-year-old boyhood in its whirlwind, whirlwind, whirlwind, whirlwind, whirlwind, whirlwind, whirlwind, whirlwind, whirlwind, whirlwind of mischief, too much adventure and the witty experiences of growing up through a countercultural revolution. Marshon's figure is exciting and equally nostalgic, giving us a vivid picture of all the impact the era had on adolescence. This book's blend of humor and heart makes it resonate with readers, while awakening those childhood memories of hardship as well as triumph. More than an exquisite read it is the freedom and innocence of childhood, like a literary time capsule, all perfect for every person who values a story of youthful escape and that besides making you reflect, it will make you smile.
Delightful... Laugh out loud sections that brought me back to memories I had forgotten of my youth. I loved it!!