The “spellbinding” (People, 4 stars), New York Times bestseller from the author of The Dovekeepers an extraordinary novel about an electric and impassioned love affair–“an enchanting love story rich with history and a sense of place” (USA TODAY). Coralie Sardie is the daughter of the sinister impresario behind The Museum of Extraordinary Things, a Coney Island freak show that thrills the masses. … 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” (The New York Times Book Review).more
The pivotal setting of New York City in 1911 illuminates a compelling romance between immigrant photographer Eddie Cohen and the mysterious Coralie Sardie, the mermaid in a Coney Island museum.
In a story that both begins and ends in flames, both protagonists are influenced by and resist the pull of their fathers and the tragedies of their …
An interesting world to lose yourself into.
Very unique…love all of Hoffman’s books but really liked this one a slightly darker departure for her.
This is a “smart” book. Historical events are cleverly integrated with interesting stories. Learn what it was like to live in NYC in the early 1900’s, when ethnic minorities struggled for survival and people gawked at human deformities for entertainment in the honky tonk world of Coney Island. Witness the tragic Triangle Shirtwaist Factory fire …
Beautifully written
I generally love Alice Hoffman’s work, but this one surpasses most of them. Filled with great characters and an interesting story.
Extraordinary indeed
This book started a bit more slowly than I expected but it came together nicely in Hoffman’s typical spectacular style.
Another exellent, hightly readable author
Set against the amazing landscape of turn-of-the-century New York, this novel captures the greed, passions, filth, hope, horror, and potential of the city on the cusp. In a time when Manhattan was still home to wild animals and the Hudson River was filled with fish, lawless gangs and corrupt police mingled with new, desperately impoverished …
I love almost everything that Hoffman writes. I think her style of writing is wonderful
This is the first book I had read by Alice Hoffman and I found it interesting if a bit hard to read. I enjoyed the historical writing of the author but found the characters to be hard to connect with. I did enjoy the idea behind the plot but found some of the content hard to get through.
The Museum of Extraordinary Things by Alice Hoffman offers a peek into the world of turn-of-the-last-century life for sideshow workers, immigrants, and everyday people trying to make a living in New York. This beautifully developed historic fiction uses as its catalyst two horrendous fires while exploring the budding relationship of a captive …
I read ALL of Alice Hoffman’s books. This one is ok, but not her best.