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The Museum of Ordinary People

The uplifting new novel from the bestselling author of Half a World Away

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The Museum of Ordinary People

By: Mike Gayle
Narrated by: Witney White
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About this listen

The superb new novel from the bestselling author of Half A World Away and All the Lonely People.

Inspired by a box of mementos found abandoned in a skip following a house clearance, The Museum of Ordinary People is a poignant, thought-provoking but ultimately uplifting story of memory and love, grief, loss and the things we leave behind. It is another brilliant novel from an author who seems to have the absolute knack of writing topical, engaging, heartwarming stories which really connect with readers.

(P) 2021 Hodder & Stoughton Ltd©2021 Pizza FTD Ltd
Family Life Fiction Friendship Genre Fiction Romance Heartfelt Tear-jerking

Critic Reviews

The Museum of Ordinary People is a timely treasure of a read. Spilling over with Mike Gayle's trademark warmth and tenderness, it's so insightful and thought-provoking on loss and grief, as well as the meaning of possessions and how we might take a fresh look at the things we once took for granted. It's the kind of book you'll want to re-read as soon as you've finished it. Just beautiful (Holly Miller, author of The Sight of You)
Mike has an uncanny ability to create characters that are immediately familiar and relatable and to draw the reader into their world, ever eager to follow where they lead. The Museum of Ordinary People is a keenly observed and warm-hearted tale of how people cope with loss and keep their dreams alive against the odds. It is a delightful read (Ruth Hogan)
One of my favourite writers, and this is his best yet...a relatable and yet brilliantly original story - this is a novel I could recommend to so many people (Clare Mackintosh)
Mike gets better every year and every book. He's becoming a real chronicler of our times (Jenny Colgan)
A new Mike Gayle novel is always a treat. The Museum of Ordinary People is filled with warmth, tenderness and character. It really made me think, too - I love that it encourages us to see the extraordinary in the ordinary. A gorgeous novel (Beth O'Leary)
Uplifting and poignant
A joyful celebration of life, it's also a study in grief, second chances, and what can happen when you truly believe in yourself.
This is a beautifully written read that's full of heart
A powerful read
This is a tale of loss and friendship by an author who has a way of making the ordinary things in life seem extraordinary
This will resonate with anyone who has lost someone they love
A real gem of a book
A poignant look at grief and the things we leave behind
This thought-provoking, tender and brilliantly observed story shows Mike Gayle at his very best
'A poignant novel about memory, loss and new beginnings.'
This novel is pure, unadulterated feel-good, and Gayle is a master puller of heartstrings. It radiates an unforced kind of goodwill, which makes up for some of the overly expository dialogue and unabashed sentimentality . . . Fans of uplifting-lit authors like Fredrik Backman will likely be suitably charmed
Moving and heartwarming, this is a story about love and loss and holding onto the memories that
make us who we are. Fans of character-driven relationship fiction by Clare Pooley, Rachel
Joyce, and Freya Sampson will want to pick this one up
All stars
Most relevant
Mike Gayle once again draws you into a world of 'ordinary people' which envelops you as you read.. I didn't want this novel to end. It is far from ordinary and I found myself hoping for a sequel.

An enthralling read .

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