When an elderly eccentric collector and a troubled teen become each other's only hope of getting their lives back on track, what can possibly go wrong?
Alfred is an elderly widower who uses antiques and collectibles to fill the hole in his heart left by his late wife. Kian is a lost teen who has been let down by the care system and finds it difficult staying on the straight and narrow.
After Kian throws a brick through Alfred's window, the shock sends Alfred to hospital and a social worker to his home, where his hoarding becomes impossible to ignore.
Begrudgingly, and at the request of the authorities, they both agree to enrol Kian on a restorative justice programme, helping to make Alfred’s home liveable again. The only problem: Alfred doesn't want to throw any of his treasures away, and he certainly doesn’t want Kian for company.
What unfolds is a surprising and delightful journey of two characters who help each other more than they ever could have anticipated and, along the way, form the unlikeliest of friendships.
An uplifting and warm story about friendship across generations, the power of community and finding hope where it had been lost. Perfect for fans of Sally Page’s The Keeper of Stories and Evie Woods's The Lost Bookshop.
What did I think?
Abigail Johnson stole my weekend and her wonderful characters stole my heart; once I picked up The Secret Collector I couldn't put it down and I will never forget Alfred and Kian.
Although he could easily be mistaken for a hoarder, Alfred is quick to point out that he is a collector and he keeps an inventory of all the weird and wonderful items that he has collected over the years. Alfred lives alone after he lost his wife and his collecting drove a wedge between him and his daughter. When Alfred's house is attacked by Kian, a troubled young man, social services get involved and arrange for Kian to tidy Alfred's house as his punishment.
Oh Alfred! As if he hasn't suffered enough! Who's to say how Alfred is living is wrong? He's just trying to cope with his grief and he's not hurting anyone. Having his house invaded is as much a punishment for Alfred as it is for Kian...or at least it starts out that way. As Alfred gets to know Kian an unlikely friendship forms and what a charming and heartwarming story this is.
The Secret Collector really made me stop and think about how quickly we label and judge people. I admit to thinking Alfred was a hoarder and Kian was a wrong 'un at the start of the book but I was proved wrong so it just shows that you should never judge a book by its cover.
Completely unforgettable and incredibly uplifting, The Secret Collector is an unmissable book that I will be reading again whenever I need a pick-me-up. It's an outstanding debut novel that I really can't recommend highly enough and I would give it more than five stars if I could. I loved it!
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