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cover
3.5 

Title: Meet Me at the Museum
Authors: Youngson, Anne
Genre: Fiction
Pages: 224
Year: 2018
Language: English
Description: On the face of it, a farmer's wife from Bury St. Edmunds in England and the curator of a museum in Denmark would not seem to have a lot in common. However, when Tina Hapgood writes a letter of enquiry, the letter is fielded by Professor Anders Larsen and lo and behold, their life-changing correspondence begins.

Initially the 2000-year-old Tollund Man is the subject of their exchanges, but over time their lives and concerns begin to dominate. From their respective marriages and families, to their views on history and archaeology, music and poetry, it all finds its way into their letters.

Well-crafted and thoughtful, this book is a moving reflection on lives well-lived and the joy of unexpected friendship.
Categories: Fiction, Grief/loss, Letters/Diaries, Personal Interests, Relationships, Short Read, Denmark, England, Popular Fiction, 2020 Titles, Group Favourites, Staff Pick,

Reviews

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By: WESTO 001 2026-03-21 14:59:23
4 
Most of the group enjoyed this easy read. The style of book of letters was an interesting way to write. Ending frustrating for some.

By: TIMAR 011 2026-03-01 12:45:44
4 
Many of the group read it and loved the slow burning relationship between Tina and Anders. Some discussion about letters and their appeal. Overall a good discussion.

By: CHCH 591 2025-12-10 14:06:09
4 
Enjoyed by all. We found it interesting that it was all written in letters. A satisfactory read.

By: RAUM 001 2025-11-28 17:02:08
4 
Most of us found this an engaging book that grew on us as it went along, even when nothing much was going on. Vivid descriptions of farm life rang true for those with that experience. Intriguing ending - what did she do?

By: PALMN 019 2025-11-03 11:56:06
4.5 
Half loved it for its expression of emotional literacy, and half found it too predictable. Goes to show we all look for different things in a book.

By: AUCK 107 2025-11-01 14:36:26
4.5 
Everyone loved this book. It was well-written and a beautifully developed plot. There was a minor disagreement regarding whether the ending was positive or not, but most thought the reader could decide either way.

By: TAKA 001 2025-09-09 12:48:50
4 
Most of us really liked the book and appreciated the way the slow development of the connection between the main characters was mirrored in the slow start to the book. The letters allowed Tina and Anders to get to know themselves.

By: AKAR 005 2025-08-11 09:46:19
5 
We all loved it! First time we have ever agreed 100%!

By: BLENH 017 2025-05-19 10:14:08
4.5 
Most of us really enjoyed this book. Beautiful character development through the forum of letters.

By: AUCK 466 2024-10-31 10:55:35
4 
A beautiful book that created great conversation. We loved the characters and they were very relatable.

By: NELS 028 2024-06-20 09:50:54
4.5 
Good read. Interesting discussion as several members had seen the Tollund Man. The epistolary form was a good way to get to know the characters and their lives.

By: DUNED 001 2024-01-15 11:48:36
4 
Mixed feelings - half of those present loved the book for its expressive writing and slow pace. It was the slow pace that made the other half read it only in short bursts. It was, to some of us, a lovely reminder of the disappearing art of letter writing.

By: MAPUA 001 2023-11-06 14:00:05
5 
This book was universally loved. Overall, people enjoyed its epistolary style and watching the gentle growth of their friendship in this way. Members came away wanting more and wishing for a sequel.

By: CHCH 479 2023-10-18 11:51:06
4.5 
Most of us loved it ( one of the best we'd read) but not all. We could relate to the characters. Enjoyed the revelation of the letters. High quality writing. Original, interesting and credible.

By: MAST 005 2023-09-20 09:19:55
4.5 
A delightful read, enjoyed by all. Interesting subject to link the characters. Gentle and rewarding.

By: PALMN 004 2023-09-20 09:10:26
4 
Lots of discussion about the style of this book, the writing and receiving of letters etc.

By: CHCH 517 2023-08-16 14:47:15
4 
This book gave us a great discussion about relationships. Everyone seemed to enjoy the story, but some would have liked a little more to the ending. Did they meet, and did they meet each other's expectations?

By: ROTO 002 2023-07-19 12:36:56
5 
All group members thoroughly enjoyed the book. Great discussion around relationships was generated, loosely linked to the guiding questions. That our group is 60+ meant there were common experiences with Tina, and shared attitudes towards marriage and family.

By: DUNED 006 2023-07-17 14:59:27
4.5 
This book was enjoyed by everyone who read it. It also produced a healthy discussion.

By: WHITBY 002 2023-06-17 22:36:26
5 
We loved this book, the style, characters, how the early casual enquiry developed into a deep friendship. It all seemed so honest and authentic that we felt we had a vested interest in the outcome and were disappointed that they never got to meet! Highly recommended.

By: TAUR 043 2023-05-22 13:01:10
3.5 
Enjoyed by most of the group. A well-written book. The questions generated some worthwhile discussion in the group.

By: HANMER 002 2023-01-12 14:53:51
5 
Extremely interesting story and way of writing it. Held us captivated until the end.

By: AUCK 037 2022-12-15 14:44:43
4.5 
All enjoyed the book - indeed "well-crafted and thoughtful". A very light touch to explore an initially unlikely friendship between two people, who have reasons to question the direction of their lives. The letter-writing format gave it a pace - a considered and unrushed pace. Very well done.

By: DUNED 043 2022-11-16 14:38:27
5 
Loved this book!!!

By: WHAKA 021 2022-10-14 13:15:37
1.5 
Mixed reaction to this one, most couldn't connect with the story. Two out of seven enjoyed it as found the conversational writing interesting.

By: DUNED 029 2022-09-23 10:17:46
4.5 
A beautiful, tender and poignant book. Highly recommended.

By: TEPUK 006 2022-05-16 12:16:26
3 
For a simple story, this proved to be a polarising book. We either liked or disliked it. Many liked the subtle humour, simple human story, and the increasingly personal nature of the writing. Others thought it dull and lacking substance.

By: TAUR 016 2022-05-02 13:04:14
3.5 
Our group found this an enjoyable, easy read. Some described it as a 'slow burner', delightful in the way it gradually revealed the growing affection between the two characters through their letters to each other. Generally agreed that it sagged a little in the middle, and that there were moments of improbability. Discussion was lively, centering on issues of trust and fidelity.

By: AUCK 162 2022-05-02 12:48:37
4 
Our group loved this book. We liked the letter writing style to tell a story, and the way the relationship developed through the letter writing. We look forward to reading more by this new author.

By: WAIKA 014 2022-04-29 12:19:40
4.5 
We all loved it! This book stimulated animated and copious discussion. Several people said it did not grab them initially, but everyone persevered and quickly became fully absorbed. We all agreed that it is quite brilliant. We could have discussed it for hours!

By: HAMIL 062 2022-03-02 19:48:33
4 
Though many of us were ambivalent to begin with, with the letter format, we were pleasantly surprised and enjoyed it a lot. It reminded some of us of 84 Charing Cross Rd. We thought their relationship and intimacy unfolded authentically. We liked how the background to their family situation was slowly revealed, as they bared their souls with raw honesty. We liked the mixture of daily life details, and philosophical ponderings. We liked that the ending was left open ended, and we would never know if they met. Some of us enjoyed knowing more about the Tollund man history.

By: PALMN 001 2022-01-10 11:17:26
5 
Everyone enjoyed this book once they got into it.

By: CHCH 432 2021-11-01 10:13:20
2 
Not very well liked, most of our group didn't manage to finish it. Didn't hold our attention, not invested in the characters.

By: WHITIAN 002 2021-09-15 12:47:46
4.5 
Delightful, thoughtful book. Well-written with characters developing well through letters. Intelligent conversations via letters between 2 main characters. Promoted great discussion in meeting regarding the demise of letter writing. All of group looking forward to reading more by this author.

By: AUCK 276 2021-09-08 13:50:43
5 
Lovely story that we all enjoyed.

By: CAMB 003 2021-07-22 12:45:56
5 
Wonderful book.

By: AUCK 166 2021-07-22 12:45:26
4.5 
We were touched. History was interesting. We were divided as to whether they met up or not. Unrealistic but enchanting fantasy.

By: AUCK 417 2021-07-12 09:35:51
4 
We all enjoyed this book and thought the sole use of letters back and forth was effective in their communicating to each other. We learnt a lot about each other's thoughts and feelings than would have happened in a first-person narrative or third-person narrative. Although they had a good written relationship, there could be some doubt as to whether this would transition over to a physical relationship. Although most of us thought a physical meeting would eventuate.

By: NEWP 012 2021-07-05 12:12:13
3 
Mixed reviews - some loved it, others struggled.

By: DUNED 085 2021-06-28 13:55:56
3.5 
The book was an easy read and we all finished it! Our discussion was natural, free-ranging and on topic because there was a lot to to relate to. We'd be keen to read a sequel:-)

 
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