The Museum of Extraordinary Things

A Novel

By: Alice Hoffman

Narrated by: Judith Light, Grace Gummer, Zach Appelman

Length: 12 hrs and 18 mins

Publisher's summary

From the beloved, best-selling author of The Dovekeepers, a mesmerizing new novel about the electric and impassioned love between two vastly different souls in New York during the volatile first decades of the 20th century.

Coney Island: Coralie Sardie is the daughter of the impresario behind The Museum of Extraordinary Things, a boardwalk freak show that amazes and stimulates the crowds. An exceptional swimmer, Coralie appears as the Mermaid in her father's "museum", alongside performers like the Wolfman, the Butterfly Girl, and a 100-year-old turtle. One night Coralie stumbles upon a striking young man photographing moonlit trees in the woods off the Hudson River.

The dashing photographer is Eddie Cohen, a Russian immigrant who has run away from his father's Lower East Side Orthodox community and his job as an apprentice tailor. When Eddie captures with his camera the devastation on the streets of New York following the infamous Triangle Shirtwaist Factory fire, he becomes embroiled in the mystery behind a young woman's disappearance.

New York itself becomes a riveting character as Hoffman weaves her magic, romance, and masterful storytelling to unite Coralie and Eddie in a sizzling, tender, and moving story of young love in tumultuous times. The Museum of Extraordinary Things is Hoffman at her most spellbinding.

©2014 Alice Hoffman (P)2014 Simon & Schuster Audio

Did not like the Judith Light narration

Is there anything you would change about this book?

The story was a bit slow, but if I had enjoyed the narration I may have kept listening.

How did the narrator detract from the book?

Judith Light did not narrate well, especially the dialogue. It was very flat and without inflection.

Half-remembered history brought to life

Any additional comments?

I really enjoyed this strange and vivid book. It is a delicate balance of precise history - the Triangle Shirt Factory fire, Coney Island at the turn of the 20th Century - and near fantasy. The narrative kept bringing to mind half-forgotten pictures, so much so I found myself online, trying to see if the images in the book were real, or imagined.
It takes great narration to pull off this kind of story - without complete conviction, some of the more fantastical elements could derail the flow pretty quickly, I think, but the two voices do a terrific job. My only disappointment, strangely, was the author interview bonus at the end. It's lovely that the author and narrator like and admire each other so deeply, but it doesn't make for insightful conversation.

Beautiful Historically Accurate Fiction

Go back to 1910 - 1911 and lose yourself in New York City. You will not be disappointed with this book.

Voice almost like robot

One of the voices was almost like listening to a robot's. No emotion and level toned.

Magical Realism with a hint of Historical Fiction

A spellbinding tale set in Coney Island in the early 1900's. Narrated beautifully, the story centers around a museum of freaks and curiosities, tradition and familial obligation, immigrants and workers rights.

If you enjoyed Night Circus, Water for Elephants, or Geek Love, you'll love the fantastical elements in Coralie's story. If you enjoy historical fiction, the depictions of the events in New York at the time are fascinating.

Very highly recommend this audiobook!

Wonderful Example of Historical Fiction

Any additional comments?

This was a wonderful historical fiction book. I love reading about the past and being transported into by gone days. This book was truly an escape into the past into a different world. It serves as a reminder that so much has changed and so much has stayed the same.

highly recommend

The narration is so very important.....a first paragraph can kill a book in my opinion.
Judith Light is amazing...her beautiful voice brought such feeling to the story she read. I shall be seeking out other books narrated by Judith Light.
This book is brilliant...unique...and visual.in the style of writing. Loved it

I was enchanted

I love history and all books that tell about long ago days and society. This scratched all those itches. Amazing historical research went into this book. I SIMPLY LOVED IT!

Such a wonderful story

Where does The Museum of Extraordinary Things rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

One of my favorite books so far!

What did you like best about this story?

The story is incredible - it's compelling and well-written. The characters are intriguing and I love the way their stories are woven together. It's a great portal into another time and the struggles of the laborers, while the story is still engaging enough to keep you hooked and focused on the characters, so you really identify with them.

How did the narrator detract from the book?

There are 3 narrators, and I can't figure out what the pattern is for when they switch. The female narrators are terrible - the older woman is so flat sometimes, and then gets all rushed and dramatic other times, which totally detracts from the story. The male narrator is pretty good, but doesn't actually show up very often. I actually would have preferred to read this than listen to it, which is unfortunate.

Hoffman outdoes herself

Fascinating story with rich characters that compels you to live in this story. Brought history of that time alive and kept you transfixed. So many different themes and rich symbolism that is tied up at the end. Judith Light is terrific as the narrator. Thoroughly enjoyed the interview with author and narrator at the end.