Season Five

Finding Lost: The Unofficial Guide #4

by Nikki Stafford

The preeminent source for Lost fans, this fourth volume of the popular companion series finds the show having regained both audience fervor and critical praise as the rescued "Oceanic 6" decide whether or not to return to the island for those left behind. Featuring the most comprehensive episode guide available as well as many never-before-seen photos, this resource is invaluable for all followers of Lost, whether casual viewers or hard-core theorists. With an analysis of how John Locke could become the mysterious Jeremy Bentham, the in-depth handbook also includes background information on the show's historical, philosophical, religious, and literary references, such as those alluding to James Joyce's Ulysses and Stephen King's The Stand.

Genres: Nonfiction, Pop Culture

304 pages, Paperback

First published November 1, 2009

Reviews

[Marina · Rating 5 out of 5]

Several of my good friends had been at me for some time to watch LOST - somehow I had missed the show when it was originally broadcast. Since I trust these friends implicitly when it comes to movie and TV recommendations (we share a common interest in myth and pop culture), I knew I had to give LOST a try eventually. I nagged at my husband enough that he bought me season 1 last year for my birthday - and although he kept harping that we already had too much TV to watch, we popped it in the DVD player right away. By the time we wrapped up the pilot we were hooked and we watched the entire series in about 2 months (even popping out to the store late at night to pick up the next season because we couldn't wait the few days it would take to put it on hold at our library). Even though he was skeptical, it impacted my husband even more so than myself, and we both count it at the top of our favourite TV shows. In fact, my husband got the blu-ray set for Christmas and we've already rewatched the entire series a second time.

One of the things we love about the show is its multi-layer storytelling, and we've enjoyed endless talks and debates about what was going on each episode. However, one thing was missing. Because we watched the series so much later than everyone else, no one we know was into talking about it and having the same types of discussions we were having with each other! While my husband now starts every conversation with someone he hasn't seen for a while by finding out if they are a Lostie, I've been wishing I'd caught the show when it was originally on TV so I could tune in each week with the rest of the internet.

Thankfully, I found out about Nikki Stafford's Finding LOST series through a mutual friend. In what may be the beginning of a birthday trend, my husband got me the full set of books for my birthday and after reading the first one (covering season 1 and 2), I can say my wish has virtually come true!

Nikki has the book well written and beautifully organized. Each episode is broken down with a summary as well as commentary. I particularly loved the Did You Notice? and Any Questions? section of each episode summary - there are so many things I've missed even after watching the series twice, and I'm already looking forward to going through each episode again with Nikki's guide in hand. In between the episode guides are various segments profiling the actors and summing up some of the books that are featured in the show. After reading Nikki's commentary on how these books add to our understanding of the show, I'm tempted to start my own LOST book club!

So, if you are a fan of LOST, I can't recommend this book enough. You're sure to find tidbits you didn't already know! And I for one am thrilled to have found a fellow Lostie to enjoy the series with. Thank you, Nikki!

[Irene · Rating 4 out of 5]

Reading while rewatching the series for the first time

[Tintinrulz · Rating 5 out of 5]

"Finding Lost: The Unofficial Guide" by Nikki Stafford is an entertaining, intriguing, comprehensive and well-written series that adds enormously to the reader's enjoyment of the hit TV series "LOST". There are a few spelling mistakes and some book summaries are exhaustive (covered expertly though). This book covers the fifth season. All in all, "Finding LOST" is a brilliant series of books.

9/10

[Katie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Probably would have rated this higher if I had read it before season six. Reading it 6 months after the show ended while re-watching seasons 1 thru 6 made me realize a lot of the theories were highly slanted toward what the author preferred rather than all the evidence shown on screen. Of course hindsight is always 100%. Book is still definitely worth reading. I'd rate it 3.75/5

[Kashi · Rating 5 out of 5]

This season of Lost started to get even more confusing and hard to follow along, as usual Nikki Stafford does a great job of helping you understand exactly what is going on, while pointing out some of the smallest, yet significant things that the casual viewer may not notice.