This anthology of stories, with the heart in a special museum is very amusing and worthwhile, each story takes place in a different exposition, that somehow brings something for the person visiting. I did enjoy this anthology quite a bit.

Some stories a bit longer than others, but in the end it feels short, I would enjoy having quite some more stories hahah but this is just wishful thinking.

Thank you Netgalley and Metaphorosis publishing, Joyful Heave for the free ARC and this is my honest opinion.

I received this book for free for an honest unbiased review from Netgalley.

I wish more books were this well written. Characters were witty and the setting fantastic.

This was a diverse collection of short stories that I enjoyed reading quite a bit. Some of the stories are stranger than the others, but each is interesting in its own way. Each revolves around a museum exhibit, and I can't say I've ever read a collection quite like this. Because they're short, it's easy to read one in a sitting, then come back again later for another story. I can't say I have a favorite story, but if you're looking for some uniquely themed sci-fi stories, you'll want to grab this!

Book Review: “Museum Piece: An Unusual Collection”

⭐⭐⭐ out of 5 stars

Summary

In “Museum Piece: An Unusual Collection,” B. Morris Allen invites readers to step into a world beyond the ordinary. This anthology takes us on a tour of various museums, each presenting a distinct and captivating experience. From the onset, it becomes clear that these museums are far from typical tourist traps.

Allen’s imaginative storytelling shines through as he crafts tales set in the future, offering a fresh and clever twist to the science fiction genre. Each story within this collection serves a meaningful purpose, invoking a range of emotions as readers navigate through the strange and outrageous exhibits.

Thoughts on “Museum Piece: An Unusual Collection”:

As someone who is not typically drawn to science fiction, I approached “Museum Piece: An Unusual Collection” with curiosity and an open mind. What I discovered within its pages was an intriguing assortment of short stories that exceeded my expectations.

Allen’s ability to create unique worlds and thought-provoking scenarios is commendable. While some stories resonated more strongly with me than others, I found myself consistently engaged throughout the collection. It was refreshing to step out of my usual genre and explore the imaginative landscapes that Allen skillfully painted.

Overall, “Museum Piece: An Unusual Collection” proved to be an entertaining read that challenged my preconceptions about science fiction. The blend of creativity, meaningful storytelling, and emotional depth within each story left a lasting impression.

Now, let’s take a closer look at some of the standout stories within “Museum Piece: An Unusual Collection”:

1. The Museum of Lost Dreams:

“The Museum of Lost Dreams” sets the stage for the entire collection with its poignant exploration of unfulfilled desires. Allen weaves a tale that tugs at the heartstrings as visitors encounter artifacts representing dreams unattained. The bittersweet atmosphere and beautifully crafted characters make this story a standout in the anthology.

2. The Suicide Museum:

In “The Suicide Museum,” Allen tackles a sensitive and complex subject matter with grace and sensitivity. This powerful story forces readers to confront their own perceptions of life, death, and the value of human existence. Through thought-provoking narrative, Allen encourages introspection and prompts discussions about mental health and the importance of compassion.

3. Curiosities from Beyond:

“Curiosities from Beyond” takes readers on an exhilarating journey beyond our known universe. The story introduces us to a world where alien artifacts are displayed in a museum, challenging established notions of reality. This tale combines elements of cosmic horror and mystery, leaving readers captivated by its intricate plot twists and spine-chilling revelations.

4. The Museum of Second Chances:

“The Museum of Second Chances” explores themes of redemption and forgiveness in a post-apocalyptic setting. Allen skillfully crafts a narrative that examines the human condition and the potential for growth even in the face of despair. The compelling character development and evocative imagery make this story a standout in terms of emotional depth.

5. The Hall of Mirrors:

“The Hall of Mirrors” invites readers into a museum where reflections become gateways to alternate realities. This story combines elements of science fiction and fantasy in a captivating exploration of identity and self-perception. Allen’s vivid descriptions and intricate world-building make this an enchanting tale that lingers in the reader’s mind long after turning the final page.

So step right up, dear readers, and immerse yourself in this extraordinary collection that defies expectations and invites you to embrace the unusual.

**ARC Via NetGalley**

I have always loved visiting AND reading about novels set in museums (like From the Mixed-Up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler by E. L. Konigsburg) and was intrigued by its title and how it is a little bouquet of authors I have not read before. Each story has a different world inside it and I loved diving into each of them, and enjoyed this magical collection of writings on museums so much.

Calling this collection "unusual" is right on the nose. The stories in here are odd but interesting for the most part. As with most collections of this type, it's a mixed bag... most stories are outstanding, a few others less so. The scifi feels well done and the characters are strong, and the museum theme is a wonderful idea that pays off in each story. Well worth the read.

A collection of rather unusual short stories that take the reader on a tour of museums of the imagination, introspection, the senses, the past and the future. As is always the case with collections, the short stories are not all of equal value, but some are of such a high standard that it is a shame to finish reading them. I congratulate the editor, Morris Allen, for the interesting and intriguing idea.

An interesting and unusual collection of short stories about museums. Each story is an exhibit of a different type of museum. Some are short. Some are long. Some have the weirdest exhibits you will ever read about and some feel almost mundane until the last moment. But they are all unusual exhibits, which is why they are in this anthology. One of my favourites is actually The Museum of Fog, written by Alexander Danner, about a “travel writer” who seeks out small weird attractions and writes/tweets about them. And with the Museum of Fog, it’s literally a place full of fog and the dangers of fog and the different types of fog. And there are even people LIVING in the exhibit, either living their best life as a 1990’s punk rock band, or studying the effects of freezing fog in the “simul-Antarctica.” And the Museum of Lost Dreams, the very first story in the collection is on that is fascinating to me as well, and touches a small part of my being that I’m hoping means I’ll be more likely to go after my dreams. No matter how small and silly they may seem to myself or others at that moment in time.

If museums and different types of things and places to explore and learn are you jam, then I would highly recommend you try out this book. And the lovely thing about anthologies is that you don’t have to read all of the stories at once. Nor do you need to enjoy all of the stories to enjoy the overall experience of the book either.

3.5 stars, not quite 4 but close!

This book had me intrigued, it’s a new author, and sort of different genre than I usually read. I decided to take a chance.

This book is a collection of short stories, that take place in Museums. Each story feels like a new world and they are full of different emotions and adventures. Every story seemed to leave its own impression and it was a really unique reading experience! I found myself thinking about how each of the stories would be enjoyed by different people I know! I can see this being enjoyed by a diverse group of readers.

Overall this book was interesting and a great break from my huge book series, and epic fantasy. It was fun and enchanting and meaningful. The only downfall for me was the short story format. As much as I loved this and knew what I was getting, just realized, it’s not for me. Doesn’t take away from how unique these stories are!

Thank you to NetGalley and the publishing team for the advanced copy of this fun book!

Book Review: Museum Piece

Metaphorosis Publishing (2023)

A Thank you

Thankyou to Metaphorosis Publishing for providing Resting and Reviewing with a reviewers copy of the book

Blurb

A gallery of the strange and outrageous.
Step right up and enter a world of wonder and oddities! These museums are not your typical tourist traps. From the Museum of Lost Dreams to the Suicide Museum, each exhibit will take you on a journey you won’t soon forget. (Goodreads, n.d)

Favourite Stories

Out of 18 short stories, I had 3 favourites. These three stories stood out to me, with both their narratives, characters and plot.

The Museum of Lost Dreams – Arlen Feldman

This story was light on the mystery, but a pleasant, although guessable narrative. Did I enjoy this story for a particular reason? Maybe I am biased. After just coming back from travelling, the message appealed to me. “Must be nice to have something to look back on.”

2. The Museum of Shifting Histories – Nathan Miller

This was a time travel story about a curator, a museum and shifting histories. It was well written, dangling suspense like bait on a hook. It had a good pace with a satisfying although tragic ending.

3. The Museum of Hydrological Phenomena – Lori J. Torone

Blending fantasy, religion and civilisation, this story explores what it is like to be an outsider in society. Do anthropologists seek to connect to older races? Do they fit in with the one they currently live in? Without spoiling anything, the story blends the tragic with the happy.

Conclusion

Watch out for Arlen Feldman, Nathan Miller and Lori J. Torone. However much I liked these three stories, only three stood out in a collection of 18. Therefore I do not think that justifies buying the collection. Unfortunately, I would wait for it to go on sale.

References

Museum Piece. B. Morris Allen. (2023). Metaphorosis Publishing

Museum Piece. Goodreads. (n.d). Accessed via: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/140408796-museum-piece

I was intrigued by the title and synopsis of this collection of short stories. As a MLIS with an archival certificate all I've ever wanted was to work in a museum. The short stories included in this anthology are all museum exhibits. However, these are not your normal exhibits. Some were reminiscent of Twilight Zone, while others filled you with hope. These stories push your boundaries, occasionally leaving a sense of discomfort in the readers mind. I found the collection to be well thought out and put together. For me it was a weird but lovely read simultaneously. It takes a different sort of talent to be able to write a short story. The authors included in this collection all told their stories without making me feel like I needed more storyline. Even the stories with more ambiguous endings felt satisfying.

4⭐ out of 5⭐.
The genre of this book is Scienc-Fiction. It is a very thoughtful and deep collection of novellas. It is very peculiar: every short story is set in a different "world". It has been amazing to dive in a different kind of setting every time. Each one of them gave a lot to think about. Some were sad, others bittersweet, others just quiet stories about another way of living. Some are sweet, painful and sorrowful. Others left me awestruck and with my mouth open.
Every short story has a meaning, a purpose, something to say. They are set in the future in a very clever way, everything is very believable and lots of themes are ones we should worry about today, in order to avoid taking that certain direction in the future. Everything in this book is described in a way that makes you deeply understand the feelings and situations of those involved, even if you were lucky enough not to have experienced them yourself. Every each one of these authors have a lot of talent. About some of these stories, I wish they had written a book instead😅, I felt some were too short. I'm definitely going to check out their authors. I loved this book. Thank you NetGalley and the publishers and authors for this opportunity!

Here's a tiny commentary of each short story:

The first short story hit me deeper than I thought. I wish I could do the same as its main characters!

The second short story is just weird😅 I think it reminds me of Douglas Adams' style a bit?

The third short story is good as well. I like how slice of life it is, without pretense, it shows a common generational differences kind of situation, and the disrespect even nowadays is often shown to elders from youngsters. (Even if, as much as I understood, this short stories collection is not meant to be set in our present time.)

The fourth novella has an original imprint that is more typical of sci-fi.

The fifth one has a bittersweet tone. It is good.

The sixth one is sweet and painful and sorrowful.

7th: beautiful and true and telling. How things should be.

8th: every short story is a world in itself. I'm loving this book!!!

9th: this one has a more philosophical feel. Peculiar in its own way

10th: I am awestruck. This story left me with my mouth open. It's going to be hard to review this book because I feel it is very subjective. Not everyone feels the same... And each story has been giving me a lot. Each story is an adventure, each story a different world.

11th: it left me wanting for more. I feel time-loop stories are rare. I would definitely read a book written out of this story!

12th: amazing. I wish this were a book. Also I wish changing your life were so easy a thing to do.

13th: every short story has a meaning, a purpose, something to say. This story is telling as well.

14th: peculiar in its own way. I'm liking these Museum stories. I believe this short story is the only one so far, which doesn't give much of a sci-fi feeling.

15th: this is beautiful. A bit too much assuming and simplistic, I perceived it as typical of whom does not know how it is like to live without hope. I wish it were that easy to get back😢

16th: sad and realistic view of futuristic war and possibilities. Everything in this book is described in a way that makes you deeply understand the feelings and situations of those involved. Every each one of these authors have a lot of talent.

17th: this is my favourite out of them all. I can't say I mirror myself in broken relationships but yes, I do with regrets in general. I'm feeling this story.

The last one is very original, I liked the idea!