The Museum of Ordinary People: The uplifting new novel from the bestselling author of Half a World Away

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Narrated by Witney White - beautiful narration that brought this story and especially Jess to life. As with all Mike Gayle's books, I found myself relating to parts of different characters. My own family came to this country in the 50s and 60s from the Caribbean and they too settled in and around the Northampton area, so I found myself loving Jess immediately. We have all kept things from our dearly departed loved ones that make no sense to anyone else, but mean the world to us - I feel that everyone can relate to that. While it might be true that some things are thrown away for good reason, it's equally true that some things are saved for a purpose." As Jess discovers in Mike Gayle’s compassionate and heartfelt writing, coming face to face with the minutae of our parent’s lives, little things, which have no value to anyone else but hold a lifetime of memories is just overwhelming. To say that that The Museum of Ordinary People is just about loss and grief and loneliness would be doing it a disservice – there is actually much more to the story – I can’t say more – spoilers! Museums are unique places to tell extraordinary stories through ‘ordinary’ objects. The various objects in museum stores across the country, many of which may be considered ‘ordinary’, may be utilised to tell real and emotionally engaging stories. These stories reflect a diverse range of audiences, engaging with the communities in which they are centred.

I really liked the narrator who made me hear her as Jess, who has the sole point of view in the story, but also gave strong voice to the supporting characters. I enjoyed her storytelling skills, too. I love the concept of an ordinary things museum- after all, many of the exhibits in "real" museums are just ordinary things from long ago or far away or both and I like the idea that at some point in time a side car, a set of encyclopedias and a bunch of other junk will be venerated as being extraordinary!Mike Gayle has become an author I recommend to all readers in search of an uplifting read with plenty of heart, substance, and grit. Still reeling from the sudden death of her mother, Jess is about to do the hardest thing she’s ever done: empty her childhood home so that it can be sold. But when in the process Jess stumbles across the mysterious Alex, together they become custodians of a strange archive of letters, photographs, curios and collections known as The Museum of Ordinary People. Jess takes up the mantle of the original owner in seeking to preserve these treasures and let others enjoy them. She is ably supported by Alex and Angel in her quest. By taking on this challenge both Jess and Alex are able to come to terms with their pasts and find a way to move forward.

The story moves between Now and Then, told in Jess’ voice. Along with an excellent cast of supporting characters, Jess was engaging and likeable, as was Alex. Both had damaged histories, the full extent of which came out as the story progressed. I read All The Lonely People by Mike Gayle and LOVED it. I thought the characters were so dimensional and real and my heart ached for them. In contrast, I was surprised to find that the characters in this book felt lifeless, unimaginative, and unrealistic. And although the objects they are no replacement for the people we ache for, they are a reminder of the fact that those people were here, and they mattered and will be missedThe Christmas Love Letters – Sue Moorcroft | Book Review | #TheChristmasLoveLetters @SueMoorcroft @AvonBooksUK @rararesources The grief Mike Gayle describes is not unknown to me. At times I had to put the book down because it reminded me of how I’ve avoided stepping foot into my parents' home since I lost my mother to cancer over four years ago. Living halfway across the world and the pandemic (and the international travel restrictions that followed) made for a good excuse to not travel. It broke my heart to have to go through my father’s things after his demise some years earlier and neither my brother nor I have been able to do more than the bare minimum after our mother passed. I can relate to how the most seemingly insignificant and mundane things can evoke sorrow and nostalgia and open a floodgate of memories. And although the objects themselves are no replacement for the people we ache for, they are a reminder of the fact that those people were here, and they mattered and will be missed.” I also used to live in Manchester — another great city (although technically I lived in Salford which is next door but that’s sort of splitting hairs). The secondary character development is quite good. Alex, Jess's best friend Luce, Jess's old neighbours Dougie and Maggie, the museum helpers Dec, Paul and Angel - all had interesting and distinct personalities. But Jess somehow didn't win my heart despite the outstanding opportunity she had. Her personality wavers between underconfident to overconfident and it was difficult to see both aspects at work simultaneously.

A keenly observed and warm-hearted tale of how people cope with loss and keep their dreams alive against the odds . . . a delightful read’– Ruth Hogan In this “pure, unadulterated feel-good” and warmhearted novel, an old set of encyclopedias leads a young woman to a curious museum and one profoundly moving lesson: that every life is an extraordinary life ( Kirkus). Encouraged by the popularity and praise for Mike Gayle’s work I decided to read The Museum of Ordinary People despite the fact that the premise has more than a few similarities to Ruth Hogan’s The Keeper of Lost Things.

Mr. Barkley was the owner of Barclay and Sons: Domestic and Commercial Clearance and Wholesale Furniture Dealers” which for some strange reason includes a special room of neatly tagged unwanted seemingly rubbish items. From the get-go we know the relationship between Jess and Guy is going to fall apart. The author has made that clear for the reader, so no surprise there.

This story is about Jess who loses her mum and in the process of dealing with the practicalities following death, she comes across the ‘museum of ordinary people’. The book focuses on Jess and how her life changes after her loss but also touches on the complexities of the things we leave behind. This made it a very easy and approachable read without becoming inaccessible to those without a degree in counselling or literature. Not sure it needed the epilogue though as nice a story as it was. Jess is clearing out the home she shared with her mother. Being a single mother they were very close. There are things for the dumpster, things for the charity shop and things with a question mark. But a set of ratty outdated encyclopedias gifted to Jess by her mother is the one thing she can’t part with but has nowhere to keep them. When she hears about Barclay and Sons and their collection of unwanted items it seems like the answer for her encyclopedias. This is where she meets Alex. They hit it off even as Jess is startled by the fact that one side of Alex’ face is badly scarred.Then there is the underlying mystery of Alex, the current owner of the museum. He inherited the lot from the previous owner but he has no idea who Thomas Barley was or why he’d leave Alex all these things. I thought I knew why but I while I may have been slightly on the right path, I wandered off into a different direction and ended up getting it wrong. I adored Alex and rooted for him from the get-go.