The Museum of Broken Relationships
by Olinka Vistica and Drazen Grubisic
Published by Grand Central Publishing
Publication Date: November 14, 2017
DESCRIPTION
"Leave[s] your heart feeling full and connected."-- Frank Warren, PostSecret
In the spirit of Humans of New York and PostSecret, MUSEUM OF BROKEN RELATIONSHIPS is a gorgeous gift book celebrating the objects that outlast love: a poignant, funny, sometimes bizarre and always delightful window into modern love and loss.
A postcard from a childhood sweetheart. A wedding dress sealed in a jar. A roll of undeveloped film. An axe used to chop an ex-lover's furniture in a fit of rage. A wind-up toy, a bar of bath soap, a tin of Love Potion with the simple caption "Doesn't work." These objects, and many more, make up the whimsical, imaginative, poignant population of the Museum of Broken Relationships.
Started by two former lovers who wanted a way to commemorate their relationship even after it ended, who couldn't bear to simply throw away the objects that had once meant so much, the Museum of Broken Relationships has captured hearts and imaginations around the globe since its founding in 2010. Anonymous submissions have poured in by the thousands: objects with brief, compelling captions confessing to the story behind their meaning. The museum's Croatian exhibit quickly became a main draw for tourists from around the globe, and has garnered enthusiastic, glowing media attention from sources as disparate as the New York Times and the Chinese national news.
Now, as the physical museum arrives for a permanent spot in Los Angeles, the authors have collected the best, funniest, most heartwarming and heartrending stories from their huge selection of submissions. Much like the bestselling Postsecret series, this beautiful oversized, four-color book will offer an irresistible glimpse inside other people's secret worlds, creating moments of deep human connection. It is a must read for anyone who has ever loved and lost.
My Thoughts
The striking cover draws you in. A few weeks ago, while visiting an independent bookstore, I went straight for THE MUSEUM OF BROKEN RELATIONSHIPS before I realized that it was the same book in the mail on its way to me. I admired the cover, because it is has a cover that will make you want to pick it up, but I waited until I received my copy to see the "museum" and read the stories contained within.
What makes this book appealing, in my opinion, is the idea that heartbreak connects us all. It doesn't have to be a romantic relationship, it can be a friendship, it can be a relationship with a family member. The stories in THE MUSEUM OF BROKEN RELATIONSHIPS include the heartbreak, the regret, the rage, and the relief. But readers can also experience the love that was once there.
It's interesting the many objects people hold on to - you expect to see letters or a photograph, but there are some unusual items too - a child's pedal car, a broken Hello Kitty key, a single stiletto, a melted phone. And the stories behind the "released" object, are what make this book. Some are detailed and some are very simplistic - all are telling, as they share what it means to let it go.
THE MUSEUM OF BROKEN RELATIONSHIPS will leave you thinking about lost loves and your own broken relationships, but not in a way that leaves you devastated. Instead it makes you realize, others have experienced this feeling too and in that way, you aren't alone.
WEBSITE: https://brokenships.
FACEBOOK: @brokenships @brokenshipsla
TWITTER: @brokenships @brokenshipsLA
INSTAGRAM: @brokenships @brokenshipsla
EARLY PRAISE
"This menagerie of heart-felt creations like the wedding dress in a jar or love-letter piñata will hit you with unexpected emotions and leave your heart feeling full and connected.” —Frank Warren, New York Timesbestselling author of the PostSecret series
"If all the world is a museum of broken relationships, then telling our stories about what is left behind is the way to help us mend.” —Colum McCann, National Book Award-winning author of Let the Great World Spin and President of Narrative 4
ABOUT THE AUTHORS
Olinka Vistica is an arts producer, born in Split, Croatia, and cofounder of the Museum of Broken Relationships. She holds master's degrees in English and French language and literature from the Faculty of Humanities at Zagreb University.
Drazen Grubisic is a versatile visual artist from Zagreb, Croatia. He holds a master's in painting from the Academy of Fine Arts in Zagreb and is a cofounder of the Museum of Broken Relationships.
Giveaway
1 Copy of The Museum of Heartbreak
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