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Hoffman uses a vivid portrait of New York at the turn of the twentieth century to illustrate that abnormality of the body is no match for malformation of the soul.

Born with webbed fingers, Coralie Sardie is coached by her father to imitate the abilities of a fish. At night she swims the Hudson, developing her endurance and lung capacity. By day she is one of the ‘extraordinary’ creatures in her father’s museum. As Coralie grows, so does her restless curiosity and it is this that leads her to cross paths with Eddie, a young photographer who has turned his back on his father and his Jewish faith. When a young girl disappears on the day of the Triangle Shirtwaist Factory fire, Eddie is asked to use his talents as a ‘finder’ to locate her. Once more his path crosses with Coralie’s to devastating effect.

The Museum of Extraordinary things is a tale of family duty and desire at a time of turbulence and social change. By locating the story of Coralie and Eddie within the context of the devastation of the Triangle Shirtwaist Factory fire, the impending destruction of New York’s wilderness and the awful treatment of the poor and deformed, Hoffman adds depth and pathos to a tale of star-crossed lovers. The story is well researched and though so much of New York’s history is worked into the events surrounding the protagonists, it rarely feels overdone. There are occasional scenes (such as those with the circus animals) that feel extraneous, there to add emotion to the climax rather than as an integral part of Coralie and Eddie’s story. Yet because of these scenes the climax is so emotively raw tissues will be necessary. 

Alternating chapters for each protagonist, initially in diary-like first person and then in third person, add depth to Coralie and Eddie. In the latter chapters, those more interested in the fate of the missing girl may become frustrated with this structure as it slows the unfolding mystery, yet this is not a novel about the search for a missing girl. It is a moving account of turbulent change, misplaced trust and the dangers of ignorance.

The Museum of Extraordinary Things is another wonderful offering from a talented story teller that will leave you pondering who determines the value placed on life – both human and animal. 

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