Meet Me At The Museum

Description: SHORTLISTED FOR THE COSTA FIRST NOVEL AWARD 2018 A deep and luminous story of late love and second chances - an enduring novel of ideas about life, love and the surprises it throws at us. `A moving tribute to friendship and love, to the courage of the ordinary, and to starting again' RACHEL JOYCE *** Sometimes it takes a stranger to really know who you are When Tina Hopgood writes a letter of regret to a man she has never met, she doesn't expect a reply. When Anders Larsen, a lonely museum curator, answers it, nor does he. They're both searching for something, they just don't know it yet. Anders has lost his wife, along with his hopes and dreams for the future. Tina is trapped in a marriage she doesn't remember choosing. Slowly their correspondence blossoms as they bare their souls to each other with stories of joy, anguish and discovery. But then Tina's letters suddenly cease, and Anders is thrown into despair. Can their unexpected friendship survive?

Review: "Exquisite. Its characters somehow resist following their story and reverse themselves into a new one. A beautiful lasting read." * JAMES HANNAH, author of THE A TO Z OF YOU AND ME * "Insightful, emotionally acute and absorbing" * Daily Express Literary highlights 2018 * "A moving tribute to friendship and love, to the courage of the ordinary, and to starting again." * RACHEL JOYCE * "`Tender, wise and moving, Meet Me at the Museum is a novel to cherish.'" * JOHN BOYNE * "Full of grace and humanity" * Sunday Times * "A thoughtful and gentle meditation on buried passions, regrets, love, grief and loneliness . . . Youngson's debut offers hope for change in its tender exploration of what it means to have experienced a life well-lived." * Guardian * "The loveliest short novel of late love you'll ever read. Whenever I talk about it, I simply cry with joy" * JAMES HAWES * "Quietly intriguing, beautifully observed, full of powerful emotions" * RUTH HOGAN, Author of The Keeper of Lost Things * "I thoroughly recommend this book to anyone looking for a book that makes you think and wonder and quietly hope. Loved it." * Tammy Cohen * "A quirky, wise and tender novel. Proof that the richest fruits come on the edge of autumn" * SARAH DUNANT * "Warm-hearted, clear-minded, and unexpectedly spellbinding, Meet Me at the Museum is a novel to savour" * ANNIE BARROWS, co-author of The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society * "A beautiful, affecting novel of late love, by an extraordinary new writer" * NINA STIBBE * "Precise, clear, funny, poignant and truthful. This is a work of art, dear readers. Revel in its beauty" * ADRIANI TRIGIANI * "Intriguing and compelling, Meet Me at the Museum invites you into the meeting place between two people, imparting wisdom, thought, and endless charm." * JENNIFER RYAN, author of The Chilbury Ladies' Choir * "A correspondence that begins with a search for clarity becomes something much deeper and richer - both for the two main characters, and for the reader. Anne Youngson peels away the layers that prevent us from living the lives we ought to be leading, and her book is both tender and absorbing." * LISSA EVANS, author of Their Finest Hour and a Half * "Intriguing, tender, unexpectedly moving" * Woman and Home * "Full of emotion, wisdom and honesty, the story envelops the reader in a celebration of true friendship and an appreciation of the opportunities that life can unexpectedly present. This book makes you realise that life is too short and that the future can be more hopeful than we anticipate. If you only read one book this year, read this. Highly recommended" * Mature Times * "An insightful and emotional debut ... tenderly hints at second chances and rejuvenation" * Sunday Express * "Full of funny, wise perceptions. The author is 70. This lovely novel is her debut. When's the next?" * Saga Magazine * "Absolutely beautiful, about loss and the life choices we make" -- Liz Hoggard * Daily Mail * "I thought the author wrote the content of the letters absolutely beautifully, making the characters jump off the page." * The Writing Garnet * "I love books like this, that you can immerse yourself in and enjoy as a treat - books that just hold you in their spell." * On The Shelf Book Blog * "Tina and Anders will capture your heart and you will root for them all the way. A very accomplished debut by Anne Youngson." * Novel Deelights * "There is a sensitivity and warmth throughout that I found utterly charming." * Reflections of a Reader * "It was beautifully crafted and once I had the book open I didn't close it until I had read the last page." * Books And Me * "This book touched me to the heart - quite beautiful and exceptionally moving, and one of the very best books I've read this year." * Being Anne * "When the book finished, I felt an immense sadness that I had to say goodbye to these two people." * My Reading Corner * "I loved the setting and the characters were great, it was a pleasure to read." * Donna's Book Blog * "Few books ever have that much impact on me and I feel this is something that everyone needs to experience." * Book Lover Worm * "A beautiful, lyrical love story, played out with words and paper." * My Weekly * "Top Holiday Reads - BEST FOR SALVING THE SOUL" * The Herald *

Author Biography: ANNE YOUNGSON worked for many years in senior management in the car industry before embarking on a creative career as a writer. She has supported many charities in governance roles, including Chair of the Writers in Prison Network, which provided residencies in prisons for writers. She lives in Oxfordshire and is married with two children and three grandchildren to date. MEET ME AT THE MUSEUM is her debut novel, which is due to be published around the world.