BNR
  • Welcome
  • Nook
  • Diaries
  • About
    • Contact
    • Work With Us

Review: "The Museum of Extraordinary Things" by Alice Hoffman

4/12/2015

0 Comments

 
Picture
Written by Lauryn Smith

In her historical fiction novel "The Museum of Extraordinary Things," Alice Hoffman invites readers to dive into dueling worlds, one mystical and breathtaking, the other dark and seedy. 

Set in 1911 New York, Hoffman illustrates the time by interweaving the stories of Coralie, a young woman who assists her father’s museum of “natural” wonders, and Eddie, a young man who struggles with his unfortunate past but finds solace in his work as a photographer and life in the Manhattan wilderness. Their paths cross when Eddie accepts a job reminiscent of those he used to accept from shady characters in his youth. This time the job is seeking the missing daughter of an acquaintance of his estranged father. In addition to providing readers a true page-turner of a book, Hoffman expertly introduces readers to actual historical events, in this case the Triangle Shirtwaist Factory fire in Greenwich Village and the fire at Coney Island’s amusement park, Dreamland.

Hoffman, the author of more than 30 novels, seems to want to exemplify the psychological impacts of social and economic inequalities. Coralie feels trapped by the wishes of her father, who disallows her from showing her true self, going so far as to require her to glove her deformed hands, while simultaneously forcing her to train as a water-loving creature to be displayed at the museum. Eddie carries with him the watch of the young son of a wealthy factory owner, which he stole when he was a child working alongside his garment-worker father, a token that seems to represent his distaste with societal disparities. His unease is perpetuated by his craft, in which he uses his camera to capture both beautiful and sordid images. Likewise, Coralie learns that the museum of wonders that once seemed magical is actually a house of hidden horrors. How is it that the world can supply such extremes, and in such proximity?


Read More
0 Comments
Forward>>

    About the Nook

    The Nook is a collective space where Reviewers share their thoughts on and reactions to the books they have just finished reading. Have something to say in response to a Reviewer's entry? Add a comment! Consider Reviewers your virtual book buds. You can also check out individual Reviewers' diaries to get a sense each one's unique tastes and ideologies.

    Categories

    All
    Adventure
    Animals
    Author Appearance
    Classics
    Contemporary
    Cultural
    Fantasy
    Fiction
    Graphic Novels
    Historical Fiction
    History
    Horror
    Humor
    Language
    Literary Fiction
    Magical Realism
    Memoir
    Music
    Mystery
    Nonfiction
    Personal Development
    Plays
    Retellings
    Romance
    Science
    Science Fiction
    Self Help
    Short Stories
    Spirituality
    Thriller
    War
    Young Adult

    Archives

    July 2020
    January 2020
    July 2018
    June 2018
    July 2017
    March 2017
    February 2017
    January 2017
    December 2016
    November 2016
    October 2016
    August 2016
    July 2016
    April 2016
    March 2016
    February 2016
    January 2016
    December 2015
    November 2015
    October 2015
    September 2015
    August 2015
    July 2015
    June 2015
    May 2015
    April 2015

© COPYRIGHT 2018. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.
  • Welcome
  • Nook
  • Diaries
  • About
    • Contact
    • Work With Us