Unlocking the Meaning of Lost: An Unauthorized Guide

Just watching the episodes of LOST on the TV, it's sometimes difficult to understand just what's going on, but after reading this book, and being able to read about LOST in black and white, alot of things are much more clearer to me now, and have helped me understand things I didn't understand before. I enjoyed reading it and would reccomend it.

In a world where so much television programming is merely a rehash of what's gone before and film studios bring to the big screen movies based on long-ago television hits, it's refreshing to find a program like "Lost" that combines familiar concepts and gives them a new twist. The same can be said for the new book "Unlocking the Meaning of Lost" by Lynnette Porter and David Lavery. This totally original look at the popular "Lost" TV show reminded me of why I began watching ABC network programming again, after growing ill from so much "reality" programming. I've read other materials about the "Lost" TV show, but none captivated my interest and made me think about so many unusual aspects of the television series as did this new book. I particularly enjoyed Chapter 6, where concept comparisons are discussed. Everything from "Gilligan's Island" to "Lost Horizon" are sifted for content likenesses in "Lost," while the authors' research illustrates the originality of characters who give meaning to "Lost." More than anything I've read on the series, this book provided me with insight as well as reading pleasure. It's a fun read and one I recommend to anyone who has become interested to the innovative storytelling evident in each episode of "Lost."

Unlock the Meaning of Lost with this Unofficial Guide, which is the only key you'll need. This book is for the thinking fan who likes to unravel the many mysteries hidden in Lost. It delves deeply into all sorts of areas like spirituality, for instance, uncovering various hints of religious ideology from Catholicism to Paganism as well as the philosophical underpinnings of Locke. It also secures Lost within a literary and popular culture history, providing the reader with its "ancestors," like the work of Defoe's Robinson Crusoe to my favorite, Joss Whedon's Buffy the Vampire Slayer. If you've read any of Lavery's other books on popular culture, this one won't disappoint either. Porter is also the author of one of the best books on The Lord of the Rings too. Together, Lavery and Porter create an unbeatable dynamic duo, who manage to create a real tour de force of criticism here. Make no mistake about this. Even though it's written by two Ph.D.s, this book isn't just for academics. Although it deals with some complex material like literary criticism, it's written in an entertaining and engaging way. It's fun. It's even got a section on all the fan sites, a Lost glossary, and some great character sketches that help provide background for those of us wishing to catch up on the series. In short, the book is well-researched and a great, easy read. It unlocks all the mysteries that you've been wondering about and even some that you didn't know existed. This unofficial guide is the only guide you'll need to navigate the incredibly complex, unmapped terrain which is Lost. Buy it today!

I am an avid fan of Lost and found this book to be a great resource, as well as a starting point for some new thought on the subject. There is a lot to keep track of in this TV series (characters' current lives on the island, flashbacks to characters' previous lives, plot twists, philosophy. . .etc) and the details that are catalogued in this book have been revelatory to me. Having all those details laid out in front of me has helped me to think about my own and others' theories on Lost and make some interesting connections and even some dismissals. This book is for the thinking fan who wants an accessible resource and insightful discussion of an incredible series. I have also loaned this book to a friend who I wanted to get interested in Lost, and she has found it most helpful and is now HOOKED on the series. There is also a section on fansites and blog resources that has been really fun to peruse. I have even run into one of the authors online and gotten to chat. Very cool! In short, this book has it all!

The book gives you information about the creation of the show, the writing, and it's characters. It's especially good if you like the show but are confused because it's fills in some blanks without giving too much away!