Thank you Hachette Audio for the ALC and Algonquin Books, #partner for the finished copy of The Museum of Failures in exchange for my honest review.
Publisher: Algonquin Books / Hachette Audio
Published: September 26, 2023
Summary:
An immersive story about family secrets and the power of forgiveness from the bestselling author of Reese’s Book Club pick Honor
When Remy Wadia left India for the United States, he carried his resentment of his cold and inscrutable mother with him and has kept his distance from her. Years later, he returns to Bombay, planning to adopt a baby from a young pregnant girl—and to see his elderly mother again before it is too late. She is in the hospital, has stopped talking, and seems to have given up on life.
Struck with guilt for not realizing just how ill she had become, Remy devotes himself to helping her recover and return home. But one day in her apartment he comes upon an old photograph that demands explanation. As shocking family secrets surface, Remy finds himself reevaluating his entire childhood and his relationship to his parents, just as he is on the cusp of becoming a parent himself. Can Remy learn to forgive others for their human frailties, or is he too wedded to his sorrow and anger over his parents’ long-ago decisions?
Surprising, devastating, and ultimately a story of redemption and healing still possible between a mother and son, The Museum of Failures is a tour de force from one of our most elegant storytellers about the mixed bag of love and regret. It is also, above all, a much-needed reminder that forgiveness comes from empathy for others.
My thoughts:
This is the first book I’ve read by Thrity Umrigar though it certainly will not be the last. I have had Honor on my tbr ever since it came out and I will most definitely be moving that up on my list now.
This was such an incredibly captivating story that pulled me in right from the start. I loved how it delved into family relationships, particularly that between mothers and sons, something we don’t see all that often. As someone who loves reading about complicated family dynamics, this book really held my attention, particularly as the layers started unraveling. What starts as an innocent trip home to Bombay to see his mom and finalize an adoption turns out to be so much more than Remy bargained for.
This is another book that has such a strong sense of place. Never having been to Bombay, I loved how the author wove the culture into the story. I could see the sights and sounds, taste the food, and get a sense of the caste system that was repeatedly mentioned throughout the story.
This is a powerful, emotional story that I know will stay with me for quite some time. It is a story about self-discovery, love and forgiveness. The way this author crafted these character arcs and told her story is just incredible and makes me so excited to read more of her work. Her writing is so powerful and at the same time, so beautiful. While this may be her newest book it’s also my first one, so that means I have all her previous books to still discover and I cannot wait! The only question is which one do I start with?
Audio thoughts:
I’m so glad I had the opportunity to listen to this one, as the narrator, Vikas Adam, did such a great job bringing this story to life. I loved being able to hear all the Indian names and words pronounced correctly for me.
