The Lost

By Daniel Mendelsohn,

Book cover of The Lost: The Search for Six of Six Million

Book description

A writer's search for his family's tragic past in World War II becomes a remarkably original and riveting epic, brilliantly exploring the nature of time and memory.

'The Lost' begins as the story of a boy who grew up in a family haunted by the disappearance of six relatives during…

Shepherd is reader supported. When you buy books, we may earn an affiliate commission.

Why read it?

1 author picked The Lost as one of their favorite books. Why do they recommend it?

If you’ve ever found yourself obsessed with a family mystery, you’ll be captivated by The Lost. Mendelsohn had always wondered what happened to his great-uncle and aunt, and their four daughters, during the Holocaust. His search starts with ordinary genealogical curiosity but quickly spirals into an epic quest. I admire Mendelsohn’s elegant, lyrical prose and was swept up in his ruminations on what we owe the past. His discoveries are heartbreaking but they also spark hope—by rescuing one ordinary family from oblivion.

Want books like The Lost?

Our community of 11,000+ authors has personally recommended 100 books like The Lost.

Browse books like The Lost

5 book lists we think you will like!

Interested in Ukraine, the Holocaust, and Jewish history?

Ukraine 94 books
The Holocaust 413 books
Jewish History 482 books