I heard about this book on my favorite book podcast, Sarah's Bookshelves, and I DEVOURED this novel in less than two days. The book starts out following a man's journey to adopt a baby from his home country of India, but his entire life gets turned upside down by a photo falling out of the pages of a book and the uncovering of a dark and very painful family secret. The author writes emotional narratives in such a relatable way - I felt such a strong connection to the characters and their struggles. This was truly a brilliant novel about loss, love and family. I highly recommend it!!

It’s been years since Remy Wadia has been back to Bombay, where he was born and raised. It was his father’s fervent wish that he go to America for university and then settle there, which Remy did. Now, he’s returning to adopt a baby as he and his wife have not been able to conceive. At the same time, he knows he needs to make the obligatory visit to his mother, despite the fact they’ve been estranged since he moved to America. In The Museum of Failures the Wadia family is the site Thrity Umrigar excavates to reveal the shifting layers of identity and the perceptions that shape us, whether real or not.

An only child, Remy was the light of his father’s life and the two moved in their own little orbit. His mother was a complicated, difficult woman to everyone around her, for reasons he never understood. All of which left him a dutiful but distant son. He ensured his mother was taken care of after his father was gone, but he hasn’t seen her in three years. Instead, he’s been happily living his life in Ohio. He’s in Bombay because an old friend knows a pregnant young woman who wants to give her baby up for adoption. Only when he arrives does Remy find out his mother is in the hospital, refusing to talk or eat. In the midst of reacclimatizing to an environment he hasn’t lived in for decades and facing all the complications of the adoption process, he realizes he needs to help his mother and find a way to reconnect.

Once Umrigar sets the stage in the modern day, she shifts the narrative in The Museum of Failures to Shirin, Remy’s mother. Portrayed as a negative, unhappy woman who found fault with everyone and was verbally abusive to both Remy and his father, a look into her past unearths the events and choices that shaped her. Events about which Remy knows nothing and which do not align with his memories of childhood.

Umrigar’s novels are always composed of numerous layers, something that could result in the collapse of her stories from too much weight. Instead, her ability to sift with care and respect through the disparate elements of religion, cultural values, teenage pregnancy, marriage, and memory all while honoring multiple perspectives, further cements Umrigar as an author I trust. The Museum of Failures is great reading that educates while it entertains.

Remy’s visit home to India is expected to be a surprise, but he ends up the one most surprised.

This book truly took family drama to the next level. The story is told from Remy’s viewpoint during his visit to India, with a few of his memories from his childhood in India and college years in the U.S. thrown in. Now married to a woman he met in Ohio in college and ready to start his family, he has pretty set memories of how his life and relationships were with his parents until his father’s passing a few years earlier.

While visiting India in the hopes of starting a family, he finds out more than he ever thought there was to know about his family growing up, and his opinions and feelings about who his parents were and his role in the family could drastically change. When the untangling of Remy’s past came to fruition in the story, it was a surprise.

The story was a beautiful and emotional one about family relationships and parental sacrifices. The book earned 3 out of 5 stars and would be enjoyed by those who enjoy family drama stories, and stories about life in India.

The Museum of Failures by Thrity Umrigar is a beautiful and authentic depiction of a first generation immigrant family drama in the contemporary world where the single child moves abroad. It helped me face some of my fears and consider them alongside a character who is experiencing them.

The Museum of Failures probably walks through every young immigrant’s nightmare. The one where a parent is sick and they have returned to uncertainty about what happens next. They don’t know how long this uncertainty and suffering will last, when they will be able to return to their adopted home… It’s the fear that is slowly becoming resignation that now that this has happened, life will never be the same again. This will likely turn out an opportunity to reflect deep within and find the strength they didn’t know they had. For Remy, there is a reckoning along the way, a secret so well buried that in some ways it was right there in front of his eyes. Once he understands, his childhood gets a new lens and he is never the same again. He forgets his suffering, the very discomfort he has been feeling, and turns instead to care and love his mother.

I could not put down The Museum of Failures. After his father’s death three years ago, Remy left his mother’s care to his cousins. He had built a life in America with his wife, and since his relationship with his mother was never very good to begin with, he did not check in on her often. He returns to India in the hopes of adopting a child. His best friend’s 19 year old niece is accidentally pregnant and willing to give up her baby because of societal taboos. But she is a child and is easily swayed, changing her mind many times. Meantime, Remy has to stay longer when he learns that his mother has been in the hospital for some time now. No one has informed him. His arrival is a complete surprise. Remy takes on the responsibility of the son which he has been neglecting and starts to reconnect with his mother. I related to many of Remy’s experiences and challenges. His internal dialogue about India and immigration are echoes of what I have thought.

Remy is in his late thirties/early forties in his book. He feels like he knows best. His actions can be judged as unthoughtful and uncaring. However, deep within, all he wants is to be loved. Years of abuse and ignorance from his mother have made him wary of her fickle treatment of him. He does not want to be hurt.

The Museum of Failures delicately touches on many themes of growing up. It portrays a parents favouritism and another’s grief, it explores the pressures of always portraying a certain image to society and a mother’s unfathomable love for a child, while being tied down by her kismat. There are conversations about religion and faith, the solace of prayer and the comfort of lifelong friends. At its core, this is a story of the love that parents have for their children. It is also about Indian culture and upbringing and the dichotomy of an existence immigrants live at times. I enjoyed the language integrated into the story. Though I don’t know Bombay’s local ways of speaking, it felt authentic to my idea of the region.

Sometimes, to see and accept our reality, we want to share it with everyone. It can mean revealing very vulnerable parts of ourselves and other people. It’s a bit selfish and self-righteous but it also comes from a place of shock and love. Remy’s actions speak to the ways in which we handle grief, the hardships of reality and our imperfections and strengths.

Throughout, The Museum of Failures was quite emotional and guttural. It progressed at a good pace. To holistically bring the story full circle, the last chapters felt a little extra but still meaningful. While the different plots worked well together, I think they did make for a longer story with lots of emotional situations.

Many thanks to the publisher for a complimentary advanced review copy of this novel for an honest review.

This review was first posted on Armed with A Book.

The Museum of Failures is ale of a broken family told from the point of view of Remy, a successful American businessman who has returned to his homeland of India to adopt a child. Remy has always had a terrible, relationship with his mother but has never understood why. On this trip home he discovers secrets and gets the answers he didn't know he needed or wanted. Much of the backstory is revealed through narration by Remy's mother. She is a character to be pitied, and also to empathize with. This book is beautifully written book - both heart wrenching and heart warming. I highly recommend this book. #NETGALLEY #MUSEUMOFFAILURES

Thrity Umrigar has brought us another compelling family drama about loss, secrets and forgiveness. Remy Wadia runs a successful business and lives in Ohio with his American wife Kathy. However, he and his wife have not been nearly so successful in their attempts to have a child. They’ve nearly given up when Remy is encouraged to return to Bombay to adopt the baby of a pregnancy teenager. Almost immediately upon returning, Remy is shock to discover that his mother is in the hospital and is very ill. She has stopped talking and seems to have given up on life. Years ago, following his father’s death, he left his mother in the care of his cousin Jango and his cousin’s wife Shenaz. Remy has never been very close to his mother Shirin. Despite his many efforts to please her, he has never been able to break through her coldness or understand her inexplicable small cruelties. It appears Shirin was the polar opposite of his warm-hearted and attentive father Cyrus. As an adult Remy has found it simpler to distance himself, literally and figuratively, from his mother. But with his mother ill and the prospect of an adoption pending, Remy finds reasons to stay in Bombay longer than expected. When things get complicated, Remy must reconsider many things he thought he once knew

Many thanks to the author @Thrity_Umrigar, @AlgonquinBooks and @NetGalley for the pleasure of reading this gifted eARC in exchange for an honest review.

This book was beautifully written. From the character development, family drama, unraveling of secrets to the descriptions of home, childhood, changing perspectives, and love. It was flawlessly written. The emotions ran high through the entire book and it was easy to imagine yourself in the main characters shoes. I felt it started a little slow, but definitely picked up about 40% of the way through the book. It was impossible to put down during the second half.

Remy grew up in Bombay, however after college in America he got married and settled down. He has not returned to India since hid father died 3 years ago - and is now hoping to adopt. When he gets there he discovers his mother, who he has a tense relationship with, is in the hospital. During his time there is uncovers family secrets that make him question the childhood and decisions his parents made? A story about love, regrets, anger and forgiveness. A must read

Thank you NetGalley for my advanced reader copy.

Remy is a man of two worlds, one is the one in Bombay - where he was born and where he grew up and has his dear friends and his parents; his late father with whom he was very close and his mother with whom he has always had strained and painful relationship. He other world is in Ohio where he has lived with his wife for over a decade; he has a wonderful marriage, has easily acclimated into her family and has a successful advertising career, the only thing missing is a child. The novel begins with Remy returning to Bombay because his friends have told him of relation who is having a baby out of wedlock who needs to find a good home for her baby. What Remy finds when he arrives is his mother, sick in the hospital. Remy has never had a good relationship with her, she has always seems to begrudge him and his achievements, never treating him with the love he sought and emotionally neglectful of him.

During his time with his mother in the hospital and through her recovery he discovers a family secret which explains his difficult relationship with his mother, why she has never seemed proud of him and at many times, to the point of emotionally abusive towards him (and also why his parents seemed so unhappy together throughout his life). Museum of Failures is a story of family, human nature, traditions, love and redemption.

This novel was moving and beautiful as was the writing. While there was a bit of a slow moving part in the middle, the story was enough to keep me engaged. The characters were well written and multi dimensional and I loved the back story that Umrigar gave to the mother. I have had Honor on my kindle for years and now I will definitely go and read it. I loved this story and will be recommended it to everyone.

4.75

Thank you to NetGalley and Algonquin for the ARC for review

Another amazing read from one of my most favorite authors. I have been a fan of Thirty Umrigar for many years. She is an auto read author for me for so many reasons. Her writing is lyrical. poignant and at the same times irreverent and funny. I love how she delves deeply into family dynamics and blends in the complex cultural and caste dynamics that are so unique to India

This book was so layered. The familial relationships were so complex and misunderstood especially against the backdrop of Remy's own quest to become a parent. I really loved the relationship between Remy and his dad- it made me miss my own lovely father, but made me so thankful to have had him in my life at the same time. This is another one of her books where I felt like the city of Mumbai was a character in the story.

Overall this is is a solid 5 star read for me. I loved every minute of reading it. I was sad when it ended because I will now need to wait for her next novel.

Thanks you NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review

Another beautifully written novel by Thrity Umrigar, The Museum of Failures examines what it means to be a family and how families can look. This novel is both heartbreaking and heartwarming. Loss, infertility, adoption, child-parent relationships, love and the cultural divide across countries are all topics in this novel. Difficult subject matter is handled adeptly by Umrigar.

I've been a big fan of Thrity Umrigar's novels since I read The World We Found in 2012. (My review is here.) Her last novel, Honor, was powerful and heartbreaking, and her latest novel, The Museum of Failures, continues her streak of writing stories that touch our humanity.

Remy is an Indian man who has traveled from his current home in Columbus, Ohio back to his hometown of Bombay (now called Mumbai). He has a successful career in advertising and a loving wife Kathy, a pediatric specialist. The one thing missing is a child.

After trying unsuccessfully to have a baby of their own, Remy's childhood friend tells him that he knows a young Indian college student who is pregnant and wants to give up her baby to Remy and Kathy to adopt. So Remy travels back home to meet the young woman.

While home, Remy discovers that his mother Shirin is not home as he thought, but rather she is in the hospital and very ill. Remy has always had a complicated relationship with his mother, he always found her to be harsh and uncaring towards him. He hasn't seen her since his father passed away three years ago.

He adored his late father Cyrus and while home, he keeps meeting people who share stories of his father's kindness and generosity. Remy misses his father deeply, a man who always treated him as if he were a prince.

Remy resolves to bring his mother out of her illness and back home where she belongs. Seeing her so ill and alone saddens him.

As Remy attempts to straighten out his mother's financial and health situation and move forward with adopting an Indian baby, he discovers a huge secret that his parents kept from him, one that will change everything he grew up believing.

Remy has always thought of India as "a museum of failures, an exhibit hall filled with thwarted dreams and broken promises." His return home has brought up complications and feelings he did not anticipate.

Once again, Thrity Umrigar has written a magnificent story, bringing the reader into the lives of Remy and his family. Once back home, Remy is torn between his the life he loves in Ohio and the world he grew up in in Mumbai, his future and his past. I give it my highest recommendation.

Thanks to Algonquin for putting me on Thrity Umrigar's tour.

Ms. Umrigar has a knack for comparing American culture to others without making either feel less than. This time, the main character has returned to his home in Bombay thinking he is going to adopt a baby but his trip is changed so dramatically that I, as the reader, had forgotten about the adoption at one point! That is how immersive the character and story building are in this book! For most of the book, Remy is the only character that gets full development, but as the book gets closer to the ending, both his mother and father become clearer and Remy is forced to face what is life is as a result of choices made before him. I loved how even minor characters were in positions to made a big impact on the main characters and the storyline, and I loved that the concept of the title was woven throughout the story.

This was a gripping, emotionally charged novel about family and how family dynamics are affected by personalities and situations. It was thought-provoking and very well written. The characters were well-developed.

Thirty Umrigar never disappoints. As always, her characters seem so real, her stories so rich. This one, exploring family secrets, was particularly moving for me in this moment, as I recently lost both my parents, and am keenly aware of the questions I never asked. I loved this book, and will certainly be recommending it.

I went into this totally blind, trusting that Thrity Umrigar would tell me a story that would connect with my heart, and she did just that.

Remy, born and raised in India now lives in the USA with his American wife. He returns to India with the hopes of adopting a much desired baby from a family friend and perhaps he should swing by and see his aging mother...Upon arrival things to do not go as planned. As things slowly devolve, he finds his mother quite ill and in the hospital and non responsive. During his 2 week stay in India, many things come to light regarding his families past along with him trying to work out this adoption plan.

I quite enjoyed the plot of this story. It touches on the humanity of people in the light of pain, secrets, forgiveness, embarrassment, kindness and love. The story has many layers and I was touched by the ugly truths shared.

The book started out strong, but had a bit of an intermission in the middle but then ended with a strong ending.

Thank you to NetGalley and Algonquin Books for the advance e-copy of this book.

I was transported to modern day Bombay while reading this book. I love the ability of books to transport us to another place. We meet Remy who was born and raised in Bombay to a Parsai family. He travels to Bombay from the US to adopt a baby after he and his American wife have been unable to conceive. He quickly finds out that his somewhat estranged mother is ill. The story moves forward from there.

Remy learns a family secret that has had a profound affect on his memories and familial relationship. While the news is devastating Remy begins to heal and takes the time he needs to make connections and handle some of his grief.

I thought this book dove into the realities of life in Bombay with many different characters and situations. I appreciated an emotional male voice in Remy. We often hear from the female side and I found a male voice refreshing. I enjoyed how the story came together and I thought the ending was quite satisfying.

I think anyone who likes to read about other cultures, travel and family drama would love this book. Thank you Netgalley.

NetGalley Advanced Copy | Thrity Umrigar is one of my all-time favorite authors. I absolutely loved The World We Found and Honor - plus The Story Hour.

Unfortunately, I just could not get into The Museum of Failures, and it felt a bit like "trauma porn," which is so very 2023 publishing right now - as well as rubbed me the wrong way on the presentation/discussion of multiple topics.

The first quarter of the book drew me in, and there's no denying Umrigar's beautiful prose and ability to capture the hardest parts of the human spirit. Her writing is always stunning.

Plus, I was personally here for a story about a son who never heads home to India, only to be met with an aging parent facing health issues. The guilt is palpable, and Remy quickly learns that his dad wasn't quite the hero he believed.

Unfortunately, the story felt repetitive and lost its speed. There's a lot of judging and preachy parts. Then, I got straight out bored. There is so much slow filler to slog through, it really ruined the beauty of the story.

When I got to the big "reveals" - it just felt like shock for the sake of shock, and tying in everyone's stories felt overly contrived.

Thank you to NetGalley and Algonquin Books for a free advanced copy in exchange for a fair and honest review.

Love itself was a mytsery, wasn’t it?

from The Museum of Failures by Thrity Umrigar
Remy had a nearly perfect life. He had a loving marriage. He had built a successful career. He had left India for Columbus, Ohio for school and stayed after meeting his wife. He did not become a poet, his early dream, but runs his own advertising business.

Remy was in his later thirties and he and Kathy had hoped for a child. Now, he was back in Bombay to meet a friend’s pregnant and unmarried niece who willing to give up the baby.

Remy had not returned to his homeland since the death of his beloved father. He had made an arrangement for a couple to care for his mother. He had always had a fraught relationship with her. He didn’t look forward to seeing her again.

Returning home becomes a reckoning with the past, with revelations that turn upside down everything he believed and felt about his family, but resulting in acceptance and love.

It is a journey across time and continents that transforms Remy.

Although specific in location, with a Parsi family at the center, giving insight into another culture, the story explores universal themes. The consequences of secrets and the healing of truth-telling, the immigrant experience of never completely fitting into his birthplace or new home, forgiveness and acceptance. And most of all, how far parents will go to protect the children they love.

Thanks to the publisher for a free book.

I love books that explore the relationships we have with our parents (especially because those bonds can often be super complicated). It can be comforting to know that we’re not the only ones who experience that messiness. “The Museum of Failures” by Thrity Umrigar follows Remy Wadia as he tries to reconnect with his mother – a woman who filled his childhood with sadness and disappointment. The novel opens with Remy back in his home country of India (years after he’s immigrated to the US). Initially, he’s made the trip in order to adopt a baby but ends up working on his relationship with his mother instead.

I’ve read one other book by Umrigar (“The World We Found”), so I do know that she’s a strong writer, particularly when it comes to how she describes the human experience. However, there were some serious issues with pacing in this novel. I didn’t feel any urgency to the plot until about 70 percent into it. There were definitely some parts that dragged for me. On the other hand, these characters easily came to life and even though the reader doesn’t know their complete backstories right off the bat, you can feel their beating hearts.

When you just condense this book down to its story, the plot is a remarkable one. There’s heartache, drama, love, and loss. But Umrigar does meander a bit too much with side stories and secondary characters, so I felt disconnected from the story at times. I would still check out her other novels but the slowness of this one did detract from my overall appreciation of the novel.

Thrity Umrigar is quickly becoming one of my favorite authors! Her ability to transport the reader to an unfamiliar land, immerse us in an unfamiliar culture, and challenge us to rethink stereotypes is simply unparalleled. The Museum of Failures, as was the case with Honor, was not an easy read, but I feel as though I am changed and blessed by reading it. It is a story of forgiveness. Of taking the time to get to know the reasons for attitudes and actions. Of the dangers in assuming or putting our own values and ideas on someone else. Of restoration. Of understanding. And - of love.

Remy Wadia left Bombay for America to go to college. He left behind a father, whom he adored, and a mother, whom he resented. A potential life-changing event for Remy and his wife, Kathy, returned Remy to Bombay - referred to by Remy as the Museum of Failures. Remy's father has passed away, and his mother is hospitalized and very sick. Events transpire that expose family secrets and challenge all that Remy thought to be true. As Remy wrestles with reconciling all of this new information, he decides how this will change who he is and who he will be.

My thanks to NetGalley and Algonquin Books for the early e-copy of this book - publish date 9/26/23.