Redheaded Reviews: The Lost History of Dreams by Kris Waldherr

Wednesday, August 14, 2019

The Lost History of Dreams by Kris Waldherr

This gothic ghost story takes place in England in the 1850s and concerns a daguerreotypist Robert Highstead whose distant cousin has died and left a request in his will that the person, Isabelle Lowell, will inherit Weald House where she is currently residing if she poses for a picture with his coffin inside Ada's Folly the stained glass monument he built for his dead wife. Robert's brother John warns him that Isabelle might not want to pose for a picture and he is being sent there to convince her to do so. Robert is haunted by the vision of his dead wife Sida's ghost and feels that his cousin, the famous poet Hugh de Bonne should be laid to rest next to his dead wife whom he loved dearly.

Isabelle is visited by pilgrims who come to view the study where Hugh stayed for two weeks while the chapel was being built and contains some of his things. She charges for the tour in order to cover the costs of running the house. No one knows where Hugh is as he disappeared years ago after the death of his wife and baby girl who was born stillborn. She does not welcome Robert as he is someone who wants something from her like the pilgrims.

But she agrees to pose in front of the chapel if he takes down Ada's story of her life and writes a published copy of the book. So for five nights, he is to sit with her and write the story of Ada's life. He quickly becomes enthralled with the story and with Isabelle herself who is Ada's cousin. But is she really Isabelle? Did Ada and the baby really die?

This is a really good ghost story in the best gothic sense. You come to care for the characters and hope that Robert can leave his wife and get with Isabelle, though it really seems to be an impossible dream. Isabelle is a very mysterious character that acts cross with Robert one minute and is tender with him the next. The story is a tragic one of two loves gone wrong, both Robert and his wife and Hugh and his and two men who blame themselves for their wives' deaths. I give this book four out of five stars.

Quotes

Hope, Mr. Highstead, is the most unsatisfying of meals. It grants the appearance of substance but melts like ice in the mouth.

-Kris Waldherr (The Lost History of Dreams p 37)

Books were easy, unlike people.

-Kris Waldherr (The Lost History of Dreams p 40)

Happy are those who courageously defend what they love.

-Ovid

I believe the only thing that haunts us are our regrets.

-Kris Waldherr (The Lost History of Dreams p 93)

“The measure of a man’s life is his work,” John explained. “The measure of a man’s life is in who he loves,” Robert countered.

-Kris Waldherr (The lost History of Dreams p 240)