eli lazar
The Missing Frame
"Leo's camera bag. Unmistakable. Smelled like fixer fluid and something herbal - probably guilt... She opened the bag slowly, wary it might start narrating her repressed trauma in a British accent. Instead: his camera, four film canisters, a small leather journal, and - of course - a folded note in Leo's familiar scrawly handwriting, all caps like he was yelling from another dimension."
A short novel about grief and healing - but less depressing than that sounds. I really liked the effervescent and engaging narrative voice. There are some wonderful, well-observed lines. The main character, Liz, develops the rolls of film left by her late friend Leo, and in this process it is like he is guiding her through grief from the beyond the grave. The story reminded me a bit of Nanni Moretti's film 'The Son's Room', where photographs also provide notes of grace, and of Galia Admoni and Wendy Allen's joyful poetry chapbook 'I Get Lost Everywhere, You Know This Now'."
(Kath Reed, NetGalley Reviewer)
(More reviews below)
NetGalley
"This story had me gripped from beginning to end. Liz is mourning the loss of her friend, Leo, and has stopped participating in life because of it, including giving up her beloved photography. A bag appears at her door and she knows instantly that it's Leo's. In it, she finds a roadmap from Leo into taking back herself. What follows is a beautiful examination of grief, love and life. It's written in a way I consider reminiscent of Ernest Hemingway in the directness of the words. I felt what Liz felt as she goes along her journey. All in all, this was a beautiful read and I look forward to see what else comes from this author."
NetGalley
"I really enjoyed getting to read this book, it had that element that I was looking for and enjoyed in this type of book. It had that emotional depht that I was looking for in the characters and I enjoyed getting to read this. The characters were realistic and was what I was wanting from this type of book. Eli Lazar does an amazing job in writing this and can't wait for more from them."
NetGalley
"The Missing Frame is a quiet, thoughtful story that feels more like an experience than a traditional plot-driven novel. It’s poetic, reflective, and very focused on the emotional interior of its main character.
Liz is a photographer navigating grief, memory, and the feeling that her life no longer fits the way it once did. The writing mirrors that emotional state. It’s artistic and layered, sometimes reading almost like a series of carefully composed photographs. The language slows you down in a good way. It asks you to sit with the emotions rather than rush toward resolution.
This isn’t a book built on twists or dramatic reveals. It’s built on small moments, internal shifts, and the quiet process of healing. The themes of loss, friendship, art, and rebuilding feel honest and human. There’s a softness to the way Lazar handles grief that never feels exaggerated or manipulative.
What I appreciated most was how deeply it leans into reflection. It explores how memory shapes identity and how art can become a way of holding onto something that feels lost. The story unfolds gently, and while it moves at a slower pace, it rewards readers who are willing to engage with it on an emotional level.
If you enjoy character-driven literary fiction with poetic prose and emotional depth, this will resonate. It’s a thoughtful debut about finding connection and meaning after loss."