This book just never caught my interest. I never was able to empathize with any of the characters, and even ended up disliking most of them, lol.

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Carolyn Parkhurst's second novel, Lost and Found, is a witty look at reality TV. Parkhurst has imagined Lost and Found using elements of various of these programs--The Amazing Race, Survivor and probably others. This isn't a behind the scenes look at these programs, really, but rather a subtle satire about contemporary life. The characters, all part of two member teams participating in a world-wide scavenger hunt, are generally well-developed and likeable--and they all have their secrets, their axes to grind. The fictitious producers of this fictitious program have selected many of them to manipulate their stories (and thus the viewing audience) to their advantage, but that is something Parkhurst never does to her characters or her readers. She certainly pokes fun at all of them, exposes their foibles and flaws--but their stories (teenage pregnancy, sick child, has-been child star, among others) are told well. Parkhurst focuses on the pain of growing older, of watching your children grow up, of looking back on your own past--all extremely well. This is a highly entertaining, quick read that I should appeal to reality TV viewers, as well as the general reading public. Enjoy

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