Book Ends: The Museum of Extraordinary Times

I love to listen to books on CD. In my car or in the sewing lab, they are such good company. Some authors are easier for listening than others. Jodi Piccoult, Chris Bojhalian, Alice Hoffman are a few that come to mind. 

I just finished The Museum of Extraordinary Things which in true fashion for Alice Hoffman is extraordinary. This author is an extremely talented storyteller.  

From the New York Times...Coralie Sardie is the daughter of the sinister impresario behind The Museum of Extraordinary Things, a Coney Island freak show that thrills the masses. An exceptional swimmer, Coralie appears as the Mermaid in her father’s “museum,” alongside performers like the Wolfman and the Butterfly Girl. One night Coralie stumbles upon a striking young man taking pictures of moonlit trees in the woods off the Hudson River.

The dashing photographer is Eddie Cohen, a Russian immigrant who has run away from his community and his job as a tailor’s apprentice. When Eddie photographs the infamous Triangle Shirtwaist Factory fire, he becomes embroiled in the mystery behind a young woman’s disappearance. And he ignites the heart of Coralie.

Alice Hoffman weaves her trademark magic, romance, and masterful storytelling to unite Coralie and Eddie in a tender and moving story of young love in tumultuous times. The Museum of Extraordinary Things is, “a lavish tale about strange yet sympathetic people” 

I suggest you give it a listen. The characters are well developed and interesting people.