Thank you for the opportunity to review this advanced reader's edition. Unfortunately, I will not be able to give it the time required to write a thorough review and will be unable to read it for this purpose.

Unfortunately, this book wasn’t for me, and I wasn’t able to finish it. The pacing didn’t hold my attention, and I struggled to connect with the characters. However, I appreciate the opportunity to review it and think it will resonate with other readers who enjoy sad, sad, saaaaad books which is not me, girl

Thrity Umrigar’s The Museum of Failures is a poignant exploration of love, identity, and the weight of familial expectations, told through her trademark lyrical prose and emotional depth. This novel follows Remy Wadia, a middle-aged Indian man who returns to Mumbai after decades of living in the U.S. to fulfill his mother’s dying wish. The journey back forces him to confront old wounds, family secrets, and his own choices, unearthing a deeply personal story of reconciliation and self-discovery.

Umrigar skillfully captures the dualities of belonging and alienation that mark the immigrant experience. Her depiction of Mumbai is vibrant and tangible, as alive as the characters themselves, while the tensions within Remy's family feel universal and deeply relatable. The story is steeped in themes of loss, forgiveness, and the courage it takes to revisit one’s past, with moments that are heartbreakingly real.

That said, while I loved this book, it didn’t quite reach the emotional heights of the other work I’ve read by Umrigar. The Museum of Failures is undeniably moving, but it lacked some of the narrative urgency or intimacy that made her previous novel resonate more deeply for me. Still, her ability to weave complex characters into compelling, layered stories is evident here, and the novel is a testament to her skill as a storyteller.

Overall, The Museum of Failures is a beautifully written, thought-provoking book that lingers in the mind long after the final page. It may not have eclipsed my favorite of Umrigar’s works, but it stands as a powerful testament to her talent for crafting stories that feel achingly human.

Another good book by this author. Family secrets abound in this well written book that had redemptive parts. I loved reading about parental relationship.

This is the first time I take part in a book tour - and I’m so happy “The Museum of Failures” by Thrity Umrigar was my first one.

I haven’t read anything by this author before and I was not sure what to expect…

From the minute I opened the book, I knew it was going to be good. I could not stop reading, you guys! What drew me in was the plot, what kept me reading was the writing. Umrigar writes in such a way that flows effortlessly. Told mostly in third person, and at a medium pace, we follow Remy navigate the truths he learns about his family when he returns home to Bombay. Listen, I really like to try and guess what plot twists are going to be, but I was NOT expecting this.

I did have some issue with the main character’s self-righteous attitude toward the end, but overall, Remy was an enjoyable character for me.

I will definitely be reading more of this author’s work.

Captivating, emotional, and reflective - this book is great.

Thank you Algonquin Books for providing me with a free copy in exchange for my honest review.

This is such a beautiful book about a man's relationship with his mother. It delves into how he perceived her as a child. She was cold and standoffish. Remy had a great relationship with his father. As an adult he moves to America and only returns to India to adopt a child. He decides to check in on his mother and discovers she has been hospitalized. His devotion to her during her illness reveals the complexities of his guilt and the changing dynamics of their family. The long-held family secret is brought up about midway through the book. It was done so well and tied the book up nicely.

I'm known for having multiple books on the go at the same time, but once I started this one I didn't read, or listen, to so much as a single word of another book until I'd finished it. Full or familial, societal, and cultural obligations, heartache and loss, and unending hope. Another book that highlights how eventually family secrets come out, and we can let them destroy us or we can let them show us the way closer together. Remy has to make a difficult decision that will affect the rest of his life, but does he have all the information he needs to make the best choice for himself and his family? He is faced with the questions almost every parent-to-be ponders, will I be a good parent? and will I do better than my parents did?

Another compelling read by Thrity Umrigar. I love the way family woven through this story along with pertinent cultural impacts. The level of emotion is captivating and the characters are so layered and complex.

Beautiful, hard, heartbreaking, honest. This was such a popular book club choice for us this year, and for good reason. Umrigar writes books that are hard to read and impossible to forget. They are the best discussion starters. I can’t wait for the next one.

I am a HUGE fan of this author. This book hit so hard - so many emotions, vulnerable and captivating.

3.5 stars rounded up to 4.

“There is no room for hope in the museum of failures. Even if it hangs on the walls for a moment, it usually comes crashing down.”― Thrity Umrigar, The Museum of Failures.

The Museum of Failures is a poignant novel that delves into themes of redemption, forgiveness, and the beauty of second chances. Remy Wadia, the protagonist, is tasked with curating an exhibit on failures, a project that parallels his tumultuous personal life. Having left India with resentment towards his indifferent mother, Remy returns years later to adopt a baby and visit his ailing mother, only to grapple with past grievances and newfound revelations.

The novel’s alternating structure between the present and Remy’s reflections on his past adds complexity. One of its strengths lies in its portrayal of failures as steps towards growth and understanding, a theme that resonates throughout Remy’s journey.

While insightful, the novel can feel predictable and ostentatious. Including American political commentary, particularly on illegal immigration, felt out of place and detracted from the plot. This, coupled with a somewhat confusing storyline and a lack of engagement with the characters, made it a challenging read for me.

Umrigar’s ability to capture the essence of the Parsi community adds a rich cultural layer to the story. Her vivid descriptions of sacred rituals, traditional garments, and exotic cuisine offer a fascinating glimpse into this tiny ethnic and religious minority. These cultural insights were among the most enjoyable aspects of the novel.

In The Museum of Failures, Umrigar explores the complexities of familial relationships and the redemptive power of forgiveness. Though the book’s length and some narrative choices may detract from its overall impact, it remains a thought-provoking and culturally enriching read.

** My thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for a comp of this title. The opinions are my own.

I really enjoyed this book and could not wait to come home and read it until I finished it. I love Thrity Umrigar's writing and will read anything she writes

Umrigar is an excellent author with a beautiful way with words. I found that the first half of the book moved slowly, but once the ”family secrets” started coming out, things really picked up! I even came close to tears at parts. All in all, this is a good story that I’m glad I read. Thank you NetGalley!

In "The Museum of Failures," Thrity Umrigar delivers a poignant exploration of family dynamics, forgiveness, and the enduring power of love. Set against the vibrant backdrop of Bombay, this immersive narrative follows Remy Wadia, a man grappling with his strained relationship with his mother, as he embarks on a journey of self-discovery and reconciliation.

The heart of the story lies in Remy's return to Bombay from the United States, where he intends to adopt a child and reconnect with his ailing mother. Umrigar masterfully captures the complexity of Remy's emotions, from lingering resentment to a newfound sense of responsibility and compassion. As he confronts the ghosts of his past and delves into long-buried family secrets, Remy undergoes a profound transformation, challenging his perceptions and reevaluating his fractured relationships.

Umrigar's prose is luminous and evocative, painting a vivid portrait of Bombay's bustling streets and the intricacies of familial bonds. Through nuanced characterizations and richly layered storytelling, she delves into themes of identity, belonging, and the enduring impact of the past on the present. The narrative unfolds with a compelling blend of suspense and introspection, keeping readers captivated until the final page.

At its core, "The Museum of Failures" is a testament to the resilience of the human spirit and the capacity for forgiveness. Through Remy's journey, Umrigar eloquently explores the complexities of forgiveness, highlighting the importance of empathy and understanding in healing fractured relationships. As Remy grapples with his own demons and confronts the flaws and vulnerabilities of those he loves, he learns that true forgiveness requires acknowledging the humanity in others and embracing the imperfections that define us all.

This is the first book by Thrity Umrigar that I have read. I tend to steer away from books where family drama is the driving force of the plot because often the story feels melodramatic and unrealistic. Umrigar may have changed my mind. I initially picked this up because the main character Remy and his wife Kathy live in Columbus, Ohio and I'm an Ohio girl. Of course Remy's life in America plays very little role in the story. Remy travels home to India to facilitate the adoption he and his wife are planning with an unwed mother in India. While there Remy visits with his estranged mother and learns that despite her illness and the plans he had made for her care - no one was taking care of her. During his time at home Remy begins to unravel the secrets his mother and father had been keeping from him which changes his view on his family forever. Umrigar's story is a story of healing and growth which kept me engaged the entire time.

This novel provided an opportunity for me to enter a world that I know very little about. Getting to hear of the internal struggle that Remy felt in his relationship with his mother, with India, and with his decisions was very enlightening. And to see the shift between Remy and his mother once the truth behind her criticism became known was beautiful.

Wonderful, emotional story about mother and son relationships and the secrets that can tear a family apart. I highly recommend this book.

Approaching this without prior knowledge, I entrusted the author to weave a story that would resonate with my emotions, and she delivered.

Remy, originally from India and now residing in the USA with his American wife, returns to India with plans to adopt a baby from a family friend and visit his ailing mother. However, his visit takes an unexpected turn as he discovers his mother's deteriorating health and encounters family secrets. The narrative explores themes of pain, forgiveness, kindness, and love, revealing layers of humanity amid challenging circumstances.

I’m so glad I went outside my comfort zone for this one! The plot captivated me, addressing the complexities of human experiences and exposing raw truths. While the book started strongly, it experienced a brief lull in the middle before concluding with a compelling ending.

I extend my gratitude to NetGalley and Algonquin Books for providing an advance e-copy of this book.

I 💜 you, Thrity Umringer

Super Brief Summary
A riveting story about uncovering family secrets and the power of forgiveness, set in India and the United States, from the bestselling author of Reese's Book Club pick Honor.

Honor, a previous # book, was a book that shattered us as a group and while this book didn't quite break me in the same way, I shed quite a few tears while reading this one.

Also unlike Honor that follows a predominantly female cast of characters, Museum of Failures is mainly Remy's story. He left India to go to school and ends up finding a life there. When he and his wife are presented with an opportunity to adopt, he is pulled back and travels back for what he thinks is a quick trip. And that is all I will say because his journey is tumultuous and left me speechless at one point.

This was my third by Thrity Umringer and I am here her for books, her characters always come to life and keep me turning the pages. I look forward to reading more of her books.

Thank you @net for this copy 💜
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After reading Honor I knew I would pick up anything she wrote. And this was another great book. I was engaged throughout. I cannot wait to read what's next.