A review by jedore
The Museum of Extraordinary Things by Alice Hoffman

dark hopeful informative mysterious tense medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

“Eddie had come to understand that what a man saw and what actually existed in the natural world often were contradictory. The human eye was not capable of true sight, for it was constrained by its own humanness, clouded by regret, and opinion, and faith. Whatever was witnessed in the real world was unknowable in real time. It was the eye of the camera that captured the world as it truly was.”

This book will takes you on a journey to early 20th century New York City, where you'll get to know Coralie Sardie, a girl with webbed fingers who performs as a mermaid in her father’s Coney Island freak show, and Eddie Cohen, a Jewish immigrant and photographer who has fled his father's strict faith. Set against the backdrop of significant historical events, including the infamous Triangle Shirtwaist Factory fire, Hoffman's novel weaves an interesting tale of love, mystery, and the quest for identity.

Having read four of Hoffman's books now, I can conclude that while she may not be my favorite author, I do generally enjoy her work. One consistent theme in her novels, including this one, is the presence of at least one Jewish character, which offers readers a glimpse into Jewish history and culture. One of the reasons I like her books is their combination of storytelling and education.

Hoffman's character development is, as always, a highlight. She has a knack for creating well-rounded and believable characters. However, despite her skill, I haven’t yet fallen in love with any of her characters, although I came close with Magic Lessons. This trend continued with this book...the characters were compelling, but none fully captured my heart.

One of Hoffman's strengths is the meticulous research she puts into her historical novels. As someone who loves New York City history, I particularly appreciated the detailed depiction of the Shirtwaist Factory fire and its impact on the city's landscape and labor movement.

While the plot was overall predictable, there were enough surprises to keep me engaged. I always appreciate when a story can still catch me off guard, even if I can see some twists coming.

I'd definitely recommend this book to any historical fiction lovers. Hoffman's blend of history, romance, and mystery makes for an enjoyable read, even if it doesn’t top my list of favorite books. Her attention to historical detail and her ability to create vivid, if not entirely lovable, characters, ensures that her novels are always worth picking up.
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