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mediaevalmuse 's review for:
The Museum of Extraordinary Things
by Alice Hoffman
I read this book after my mother recommended it to me, and the premise itself was incredibly intriguing. There's something about the history of Coney Island and old-timey "freak shows" that really appeal to readers' curiosity and imagination. Overall, this novel did satisfy that curiosity without marginalizing its characters or labeling them as subhuman, but it also struggled with its narrative in a way that didn't bring the story together for me.
Things I Liked
1. Prose: Hoffman’s strength in this novel really lies in the enchanting way she crafts her prose. Her novel is rich with vivid descriptions and striking imagery, all of which create a beautiful and dazzling world that the reader can be excited to explore.
2. Tone: Museum doesn’t shy away from the ups and downs of society in the early 20th century, and I appreciated the fact that she didn’t create an idealized, mystical world without its hardships. There are constant references to labor struggles and the exploitative nature of the “freak show,” which lent an air of realism to the novel.
3. Mr. Morris and Maureen: For me, these were the most interesting people in the novel because they had the most driving motivations and unique perspectives on life based on the hardships they endured. They are wonderfully developed, though I wish we had gotten to see move of them in the story.
Things I Didn't Like
1. Flat Characterization: The two main characters, Coralie and Eddie, were not as interesting as I first thought they would be. Coralie seemed to have no flaws at all, thus filling the role of idealized love interest. Eddie, on the other hand, felt like a stereotype - the poor immigrant who was forced to live on the streets and gain his smarts through shady activity. Both of these are good models to start with, but ideally, as a writer goes, more flaws would appear to make them more like people (if that makes sense).
2. Too Many POV: This novel shifts around a lot between first person Coralie, first person Eddie, third person Coralie, and third person Eddie. I think two at maximum would have allowed for a smoother narrative.
3. Lack of a Driving Plot: While an action-packed plot is by no means required to make a novel “good,” the plot of Museum felt lacking. Despite the presence of a murder-mystery, the history of Coney Island, the historic Triangle Shirtwaist Factory Fire, and many other things, I was wholly underwhelmed with its sequence of events. It seemed like all of these elements were present, but not explored effectively. The love story between Coralie and Eddie, additionally, felt cliche and contrived, since they only see each other once and then are suddenly in love. Multiple fires also made the plot feel repetitive.
Recommendations: You might enjoy this book if you're interested in the history of Coney Island and "freak shows," or if you enjoy novels about immigration, worker's rights, industrialization, etc. You might also like this novel if you liked Erin Moregenstern's The Night Circus or Sarah Gruen's Water For Elephants
Things I Liked
1. Prose: Hoffman’s strength in this novel really lies in the enchanting way she crafts her prose. Her novel is rich with vivid descriptions and striking imagery, all of which create a beautiful and dazzling world that the reader can be excited to explore.
2. Tone: Museum doesn’t shy away from the ups and downs of society in the early 20th century, and I appreciated the fact that she didn’t create an idealized, mystical world without its hardships. There are constant references to labor struggles and the exploitative nature of the “freak show,” which lent an air of realism to the novel.
3. Mr. Morris and Maureen: For me, these were the most interesting people in the novel because they had the most driving motivations and unique perspectives on life based on the hardships they endured. They are wonderfully developed, though I wish we had gotten to see move of them in the story.
Things I Didn't Like
1. Flat Characterization: The two main characters, Coralie and Eddie, were not as interesting as I first thought they would be. Coralie seemed to have no flaws at all, thus filling the role of idealized love interest. Eddie, on the other hand, felt like a stereotype - the poor immigrant who was forced to live on the streets and gain his smarts through shady activity. Both of these are good models to start with, but ideally, as a writer goes, more flaws would appear to make them more like people (if that makes sense).
2. Too Many POV: This novel shifts around a lot between first person Coralie, first person Eddie, third person Coralie, and third person Eddie. I think two at maximum would have allowed for a smoother narrative.
3. Lack of a Driving Plot: While an action-packed plot is by no means required to make a novel “good,” the plot of Museum felt lacking. Despite the presence of a murder-mystery, the history of Coney Island, the historic Triangle Shirtwaist Factory Fire, and many other things, I was wholly underwhelmed with its sequence of events. It seemed like all of these elements were present, but not explored effectively. The love story between Coralie and Eddie, additionally, felt cliche and contrived, since they only see each other once and then are suddenly in love. Multiple fires also made the plot feel repetitive.
Recommendations: You might enjoy this book if you're interested in the history of Coney Island and "freak shows," or if you enjoy novels about immigration, worker's rights, industrialization, etc. You might also like this novel if you liked Erin Moregenstern's The Night Circus or Sarah Gruen's Water For Elephants