Found

Found follows Randy's journey as a boy who spends his free time digging through dumpsters with his mother near their Toronto apartment in the 1980s. During their excursions searching for discarded treasures, Randy observes and tries to understand his mother's motivations while developing his own relationship with the things others throw away. The mother-son dynamic sits at the center of this spare, focused narrative that moves between their present-day scavenging routines and memories of their family's arrival in Canada from Laos. Their dumpster diving becomes both a practical necessity and a lens through which to view questions of value, waste, and what it means to build a life from what others have discarded. The novel explores themes of immigration, family bonds, and the ways people assign meaning to objects and experiences. Through Randy's perspective, it examines how children navigate cultural identity and understand their parents' choices while crafting their own worldview.

Readers note Found's minimalist poetry and exploration of personal history through photography. The short length (80 pages) and sparse style make it accessible according to several reviewers. Readers appreciate: - Crisp, concise language - The family story told through found photographs - Themes of immigration and identity - Combination of visual and written elements Common criticisms: - Some poems feel too brief or underdeveloped - Desire for more context around the photographs - Price point high for length Ratings: Goodreads: 4.08/5 (76 ratings) Amazon: Not enough reviews for rating From reader reviews: "The photos and poems complement each other to create meaning beyond what either could do alone." - Goodreads "While beautiful, left me wanting more depth and connection between pieces." - Goodreads "A unique look at family history through artifacts." - Library Thing

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🌟 "Found" was inspired by a scrapbook kept by Thammavongsa's father during their family's time in a Lao refugee camp in Thailand in 1978 📚 The book combines poetry with actual photographs from the author's father's scrapbook, creating a unique blend of documentary and artistic expression 🏆 Souvankham Thammavongsa was born in the Nong Khai refugee camp in Thailand in 1978 and immigrated to Canada at the age of one 📝 The author discovered the scrapbook that inspired this book when she was 18 years old, finding it in a forgotten box in her parents' basement 🎨 The book's design mirrors the aesthetic of the original scrapbook, with photographs appearing as they were found—some faded, torn, or water-damaged—preserving their authenticity