Returned Empty

"Returned Empty" by Florence L. Barclay is a story about Luke Sparrow, who was abandoned as a baby and has always felt alone. The book looks at themes of who we are, love, and trying to find where you belong. Luke's life starts with him thinking about his thirtieth birthday, all alone too. He remembers the words "Returned Empty" that were on him as a baby, a phrase that sums up how he feels. When he's swimming, he sees a family at a house and this makes him really want a home. This event starts him on a journey to understand himself and find people he can connect with, showing that the story will be full of sad thoughts and maybe some love.