The Museum Of Ordinary People by Mike Gayle

 

Jess Baxter has always dreamed of working in a museum. Unfortunately life had other ideas and upon completion of her masters in museum studies she had to give it all up to look after her mother. Once her mother is better Jess simply drifts into a job as a receptionist. A few years later, after her mothers unexpected death, Jess has to clear out her family home. Some possessions are easy to dispose of, others have sentimental value and are far too difficult to simply give or throw away. Unfortunately Jess doesn't have anywhere to store all of her sentimental treasures and that's when she comes across The Museum Of Ordinary People, a place that is willing to look after the things that people are struggling to dispose of because of the memories they hold.

Decluttering has been a big thing in the last few years, particularly when many of us were confined to home because of the pandemic. We're told "if it doesn't bring you joy" - get rid. If you haven't used it in six months - get rid. Unfortunately there are times when decluttering is forced upon us; down-sizing, the break-up of a relationship, moving home or the death of a family member.

The Museum Of Ordinary People is about those instances when decluttering is forced upon us. Jess was brought up by a single parent, with no other relatives around, and when she has to clear out her mother's home you can feel the turmoil of emotions. Trivial things such as a shopping list reduce her to tears. The sense that her mother is everywhere and nowhere really resonates.

The Repair Shop is a popular TV programme and The Museum Of Ordinary People is that in book form. A home for those items we grew up with that are intrinsically worthless but to individuals are treasures because of the memories they hold, connections with our past and relatives no longer with us.

The story really struck a chord with me in so many ways, the most poignant being wanting to pick up a phone and be able to pour my heart out to someone who's no longer around.

There are other themes explored within the story; never giving up on your dreams, not taking things at face value and never settle for "good enough" but the main one is about the things that mean the most to us, the treasures we turn to when the people connected to them are no longer around.

The Museum Of Ordinary People by Mike Gayle will be published in hardback, ebook and audio format on 7th July 2022. My thanks to NetGalley and Hodder & Stoughton for a review copy.