The Museum of Lost Love is a powerful stripped back narrative. It exposes the raw, emotional turmoil of love set against a backdrop of violence and war. This novel had a profound effect on me and I have to say, it is one of my favourite reads the year. It is heartbreaking yet truly beautiful and hopeful.
I read this on a busy Sunday when I had loads to do. Yet I easily managed to finish it in one day – and believe me, I’m not the quickest reader! Written in a succinct and captivating style, I couldn’t put it down. All I wanted to do that day was hide away and read this beautiful book.
Have you ever heard about the Museum of Broken Relationships? I read about it a few years ago when it first opened. The museum displays personal donated mementos from people all over the world; the mementos all tell a unique story and symbolise the end of a relationship. Gary Barker has skilfully used this intriguing museum to structure his emotive story around.
The Museum of Lost Love is the story of Goran and Katia who visit the museum when they are on holiday. However Goran is shocked when he comes across an exhibit that appears to be about him. The exhibit is from a girl he met aged 14 in a refugee camp when his family were trying to escape the Bosnian war.
This sets off a series of life changing decisions for both Goran and Katia, who was adopted when she was a baby following the gangland murder of her birth mother in Brazil. Interlinked with Katia’s story is also the story of Tyler, an Afghan war veteran who finds a love that he did not expect.
Interspersed amongst Goran, Katia and Tyler’s stories are short extracts detailing the very personal exhibits from the museum. Reading many of these ripped my heart in two.
I swear, this beautiful novel is sheer brilliance – the raw vulnerability literally bounces off each page. It is simple, powerful and hopeful.
Thank you to Anne Cater from Random Things Tours for inviting me to take part in The Museum of Lost Love blog tour. It is a true privilege to help publicise this book. A massive thank you must go to Gary Barker for such a memorable, enthralling read. This is a book that is sure to stay with me for a long, long time.
The Museum of Lost Love was published on 1st October 2019, so it is available now. I would urge you all to get a copy and read. It is truly beautiful.
To follow the blog tour, please see below.
Happy reading everyone! 🙂
My rating:
Thanks so much for the blog tour support x