The Museum of Failures

By: Thrity Umrigar

Narrated by: Vikas Adam

The bestselling author of The Space Between Us and Reese's Book Club pick Honor delivers a powerful story about family secrets, a mother's power, and the importance of forgiveness.

Remy Wadia left India for the United States long ago, carrying his resentment of his mother with him. He has now returned to Bombay to adopt a baby from a young pregnant girl—and to see his elderly mother for the first time in several years. Discovering that his mother is in the hospital, has stopped talking, and seems to have given up on life, he is struck with guilt for not realizing just how sick she has become.

His unexpected appearance and assiduous attention revives her and enables her to return to her home. But when Remy stumbles on an old photograph, shocking long-held family secrets surface. As the secrets unravel and Remy’s mother begins communicating again, he finds himself reevaluating his entire childhood, his relationship to his parents, and his harsh judgment of the decisions and events long hidden from him, just as he is on the cusp of becoming a parent himself. But most of all, he must learn to forgive others for their failures and human frailties.

Listeners of Sankofa by Chibundu Onuzo, Fault Lines by Emily Itami, and Dava Shastri’s Last Day by Kirthana Ramisetti will devour this story of secrets and family, a reminder that forgiveness comes from realizing that the people we love are usually trying to do their best in the most difficult situations.

©2023 Thrity Umrigar (P)2023 Algonquin Books

Critic reviews

Named a Most Anticipated Book of 2023 by Ms. & We Are Bookish

"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."—Jamie Ford, New York Times bestselling author of The Many Daughters of Afong Moy

“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.”—Marlon James Booker Prize winning Author of Moon Witch, Spider King

"Wrenching and uplifting, lighthearted and profound, The Museum of Failures is a suspenseful, beautifully plotted tribute to the complicated yet steadfast love between parents and children."—Megha Majumdar, author of A Burning

Wonderful

Thrity Umrigar doesn’t disappoint. An engrossing book populated by so very real characters and expertly performed.

The Gamut of emotions

I love this book. Listening to it runs the whole gamut of emotions, but ultimately it is deeply heartwarming and inspiring. I am so grateful I read this.

Great Story

Took me a couple of tries to get into this one, but so glad I stuck with it. Great story!

Beautiful story; fabulous narrator!

Terrific book, beautifully written with a fantastic story line and an outstanding narrator. Will be looking for more from both the author and the narrator.

Another beautiful story by Thrity Umrigar

A story about family, secrets, truth, and love. Set in Bombay, this story focuses on relationships and misunderstandings between people. The truth makes everything clear, but it is not always told in time.
The narration is absolutely perfect, and enhances the story.
The author weaves philosophy and wisdom throughout.

Such a heartwarming story

Don’t give up on the story. It starts slowly but then, oh my! Thrifty Umrigar never disappoints

Museum of Triumph

This story of loss, guilt, and forgiveness was one of my most impactful reads this year. It was heart tugging and emotional
as the secrets unveiled. I think it will szay with me for awhile.

6 stars if I could

Excellent book! Great story line of understanding and forgiveness to mend broken wounds. Excellent narration! Wow! Loved all of it and didn’t want it to finish.

A beautiful heartwarming story of family

A wonderful reading of a touching story. Loved these characters and felt with them through their difficult emotional journeys. Made their lives in India so vivid.

Family is complicated

I appreciated listening to this story of an Indian man going back to India to adopt a baby, but he finds out his mother is sick in the hospital, the young woman doesn’t want to give up her baby, and more problems from his family’s past surface to complicate and extend his trip.