The Museum of Ordinary People
On sale
16th March 2023
Price: £8.99
Discover Mike Gayle’s fantastic new novel A Song of Me and You , out now!
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.
As they begin to delve into the history of the objects in their care, Alex and Jess not only unravel heartbreaking stories that span generations and continents, but also unearth long buried secrets that lie much closer to home.
Inspired by a box of mementos found abandoned in a skip following a house clearance, The Museum of Ordinary People is a thought-provoking and poignant story of memory, grief, loss and the things we leave behind.
****Your favourite authors love Mike Gayle****
‘Accomplished and moving’ Lisa Jewell
‘Mike Gayle has such a talent for delving into hearts, minds and contemporary issues’ Sophie Kinsella
‘An absolute triumph and a joy to read’ Ruth Hogan
‘Mike is always wise and wonderful’ Jenny Colgan
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.
As they begin to delve into the history of the objects in their care, Alex and Jess not only unravel heartbreaking stories that span generations and continents, but also unearth long buried secrets that lie much closer to home.
Inspired by a box of mementos found abandoned in a skip following a house clearance, The Museum of Ordinary People is a thought-provoking and poignant story of memory, grief, loss and the things we leave behind.
****Your favourite authors love Mike Gayle****
‘Accomplished and moving’ Lisa Jewell
‘Mike Gayle has such a talent for delving into hearts, minds and contemporary issues’ Sophie Kinsella
‘An absolute triumph and a joy to read’ Ruth Hogan
‘Mike is always wise and wonderful’ Jenny Colgan
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Reviews
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
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
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
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
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
Mike gets better every year and every book. He's becoming a real chronicler of our times