The Museum of Failures

"Family secrets are constellations made of falling stars. When scattered across the vast expanse of our lives, they lead us, guide us, but often in the wrong direction. With Thrity Umrigar’s signature blend of emotional depth and compassionate storytelling, The Museum of Failures is a poignant and profound exploration of what happens when someone’s entire life, their entire journey, has been spent off-course. I feel this book. You will too."

“There's no powder keg like a family secret. And when it explodes, nothing in the past is ever as it was, and nothing in the future is ever the same. The Museum of Failures is a symphony of secrets and lies, love and hate, regret and forgiveness, but more than that, the unraveling of everything one holds dear to find something more precious and elusive: oneself. Powerful and engrossing.”

 

“Remy grapples with his notions of home, devastating family secrets and impending fatherhood in this emotional novel from the bestselling author of Honor.”

“This is a beautifully wrought novel about the complicated relationships between parents and children, the secrets we keep — and those we reveal.”

“An expert storyteller, Thirty Umrigar knows how to weave a tale of family secrets, relationships, tradition and acceptance. Layered and captivating.”

“This meditation on forgiveness is a deeply moving, human story that shows that love is neither straightforward nor linear and that the decisions we make can reverberate for generations if we’re not willing to unpack our familial lives with tact, kid gloves and honesty.”

“Thrity Umrigar’s evocative novel explores the personal, political, and cultural reckonings of an immigrant son discovering compassion and forgiveness.”

“Instructive as well as moving… As she captures the anguish of people torn between two worlds, Umrigar’s own writing takes on a cinematic brilliance.”

"Deep and meaningful, The Museum of Failures challenges us to examine our own relationships with home and family, acknowledging our pain and creating a future that tells a new story."

“[A]n emotionally relevant story about family, class, and culture. It is no secret that Umrigar has a knack for layering thematically complex structures and realistic characters, but in The Museum of Failures we see this delivered ten-fold.”

"A beautifully written, heart-warming, and welcoming glimpse into the Parsi community and the complications of family.”

“Immersive, intimate, and deeply felt, Thrity Umrigar’s The Museum of Failures explores the power of forgiveness and the eternal possibility of new beginnings.”

"A powerful family drama.”

“Thrity Umrigar’s novels are immersive, and I felt transported to Bombay throughout the novel. Her vivid descriptions of the city and its inhabitants brought the setting to life… This novel emphasizes the importance of love, acceptance and sacrifice. A very heartfelt read!”

"This book has the power to break and make you, in equal measure, an ode to Thrity Umrigar’s calibre."

“The story of the Wadia family is a sensitive exploration of love in its different forms—romantic, maternal, filial, platonic—and forgiveness. Umrigar’s fluid prose and well-wrought characters capture the milieu of the Parsi community past and present. Paired with the emotionally demanding story line, this is a compelling read.”

“[Umrigar] creates interesting characters and complex relationships, builds thematic tension and narrative suspense, and delivers emotionally resonant moments at just the right pace… [A] rich, heartfelt novel. This is a touching story about what it really means to grow up and into an authentic life.”

“[A] rich and emotionally gripping story about familial love and the destructive power of secrets... Umrigar continues to impress.”

“[A] powerful novel of family and secrets.”

“An excellent example of Thrity Umrigar’s strengths as a novelist. Overall, the novel is classic Umrigar and will undoubtedly be enjoyed by her fans.”