The Museum of Ordinary People

 

The Museum of Ordinary People by Mike Gayle- Contemporary Fiction

Jess has not long cleared out her mothers house after she died rather suddenly and has some old encyclopaedias that she really doesn't want to throw away. She lives with her boyfriend in his smart apartment in Canary Wharf and when a year later she finally puts the house on the market, Guy suggests buying a place together and pooling their property assets. Before her mother died Jess had a period with Guy where she was doubting their relationship. On her mothers death this quickly changed and he once again became the loving attentive one she first fell in love with. Her friend finds “ The Museum of Ordinary People '' in a listing and thinks this could be the perfect place for Jess’s books as they hold great sentimental value for her but she has nowhere to keep them. On arrival she gets an idea and this could change her whole life.

I've read several of Mike’s books and each and every time within a few pages I find myself in amongst a world of “friends” and that comfortable warm blanket feel that only a truly exquisitely written book can do. A  wonderful, intriguing plot with characters that you quickly take to, keep the pages turning ever faster but at the same time not wanting to reach the end. I loved this so much- there's something very special about it. I've recently cleared out a house and found things and memories too which I found difficult to say the least so totally got this sentiment and feel that others will too. “ The Repair Shop” on TV shows us the importance of objects which can hold memories and that sentimentality which is beyond the object itself. I smiled and I cried (in a good way). A stunning read and one most certainly to remember.

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