The Museum of Rain

The Forgetters

by Dave Eggers

In this elegiac story about age, family, memory, and the origins of ideas, Dave Eggers, the bestselling author of several remarkable novels about contemporary America, introduces readers to Oisín Mahoney, a U.S. Army vet in his seventies who is asked to lead a group of young grand-nieces and grand-nephews on a walk through the hills of California’s Central Coast as wildfires burn far to the north. They don’t know him and don’t want to follow him, and Oisín would love to be anywhere else. But still they walk together, through golden grasses and amid live oaks and manzanitas, coyotes and rabbits, on their way to a discovery beyond any of their expectations. A quietly brilliant story of beauty and possibility, The Museum of Rain is about suddenly finding the world—or at least a small piece of it—as good as you’d hoped.

Genres: Fiction, Short Stories, Contemporary, Adult Fiction, Adult, Audiobook, Novella

44 pages, Hardcover

First published June 11, 2021

About the author

Dave Eggers is an American writer, editor, and publisher. He is best known for his 2000 memoir, A Heartbreaking Work of Staggering Genius, which became a bestseller and was a finalist for the Pulitzer Prize for General Nonfiction. Eggers is also the founder of several notable literary and philanthropic ventures, including the literary journal Timothy McSweeney's Quarterly Concern, the literacy project 826 Valencia, and the human rights nonprofit Voice of Witness. Additionally, he founded ScholarMatch, a program that connects donors with students needing funds for college tuition. His writing has appeared in numerous prestigious publications, including The New Yorker, Esquire, and The New York Times Magazine.

Reviews

[Elyse Walters · Rating 5 out of 5]

It’s no secret, anyone who knows me well, that I read Dave Eggers books, and his wife’s - Vendela Vida - (both), with so much joy, and excitement - it’s almost a religious experience. I love this couple - their humanitarian work in the world, their humbleness, their intelligence, kindness, goodness, and humanity.

I’ve already pre-paid for Dave Eggers new novel coming out later this year: ( thank you Cheri for the heads up)....
His new novel is called:
“The Every”, (794 pages I can’t wait to read),: release date will be November 16th on Amazon. It’s a sequel to “The Circle”.

In my mind - I was still ‘just becoming’ a passionate reader - still in the toddler stage of my new lifetime self-comforting pleasure (reading), around the same time Dave Eggers wrote “A Heartbreaking Work Of Staggering Genius”....(has a special place in my heart)...
That said....
Dave Eggers continues to grow as a writer. I continue to grow as a reader.

So....
I’m here to review “The Museum of Rain” (44 pages - due out in June)....
Want my TRUTH?
I want to SHOUT OUT.....tell EVERY FRIEND I KNOW....”DO YOURSELF A FAVOR, AND READ THIS GEM”.
44 pages of your time is not a huge investment....but the returns are > a HUGE REWARD!
READERS WILL BE GIFTED A TREASURED REWARD....
Then.....if you have children or grandchildren- read it to them!

BEST...NOT TO READ ONE MORE WORD OF THIS REVIEW....
GO IN BLIND.
But ....
since a responsible reviewer (ha, since when have I been a responsible reviewer?), I’ll drop a few nuggets....
But honestly- JUST READ IT....
SOAK IN THE subtle and powerful messages .... and at the end ....if you experience this story like I did..... you’ll be mixed with warmth, joy,
sadness, love, ....and ultimately happiness ( maybe the hardest emotion to ‘really’ feel).....
My heart melted for this little BRILLIANT STORY — for all the love, and beauty in the world - ‘allowing’ my own feelings to float to the surface -like cream from fresh milk- very aware of the grief/ sadness/ regrets/ loss/ death/ hurts in life....
but the term “WE RISE UP”.... has some a hell of a lot of truth.
We RISE at the end of this story!

Taken straight from the blurb:
“Oisin Mahoney is an American Army vet in his 70s who is asked to lead a group of young grand-nieces and grand-nephews on a walk through the hills of California’s Central Coast. Walking toward a setting sun, your destination is a place called “The Museum of Rain”, which may or may not still exist, and Hughes origin and meaning are elusive to all. In one of the most elegiac stories, Eggers gives as a beautiful testament to family, memory, and what we leave behind”

So....
....... I’ll leave a couple of non-spoiler excerpts ....(teasers) ....

“Where are we going? Caitlin asked”.
“The Museum of Rain, Rebecca said”.
“It’s not a Real Museum, Caitlin said”.
“Yes it is, Rebecca said. You’ll see”.
“Is it true you were in the war and got shot? Caitlin asked”.
“More or less, yes, Oisin said”
“But you didn’t die? Caitlin asked. Oisin laughed. No, I didn’t die”.
“So is the museum about the war? She asked”.
“No, he said, it’s not about the war”.
“Satisfied that there was nothing interesting about Oisin or where they were going, Caitlin skipped ahead to catch up with a larger group”.

“Sometimes people simply do things. They get an idea and do it, and it’s not tied up with any love or childhood trauma. If we believe there’s a dramatic origin story for every human endeavor, we deprive our species at the ability to simply concur an idea. To just make stuff and do things”.

It’s powerful - irresistible- loved it - and it’s a treasure for all ages.

Thank You Netgalley, Scribd, and Dave Eggers

[Linda · Rating 4 out of 5]

I find peace and quiet beauty within the rain. A certain familiar rhythm comforting as a lullaby.

Dave Eggers presents a short story quick in its telling but long-lasting in its affect to the senses. The Museum of Rain walks us through a lovely day of celebration in the hills of California's Central Coast. Eggers reminds us of the fires burning farther north and their ominous potential for severe damage. He sets the idea into play of seizing the moment that's been untouched and savoring the purity of this surrounding.

Oisin Mahoney, now in his seventies and an Army Vet, has soaked up plenty of experiences in this world. He's gathered with his extended family with food and companionship. The clan represents all ages and mindsets interacting together on a common ground. There are simple gestures of unity.

But Oisin decides to take his antsy grand nieces and grand nephews on a hike. Keeping this brood entertained will be a challenge, but Oisin lets Nature take its course. They let the pathway guide them and deposit its treasures before their eyes: wild flowers, rabbits, coyotes, birds, and wild grasses and herbs. And Oisin finds joy within one grand niece who laughs mightily and quickly responds to Oisin's jokes and observations.

The Museum of Rain is a simple reflection by one man always seeking a new experience and a new view of life even in his advancing age. And it is the full willingness of the younger group who trudge onward in a world that changes its complexion in a millisecond. What delight they come upon at the end of the trail......some things remain steadfast even when footprints press heavily.

[Debbie M · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautifully crafted short novelette. Really a must read.

Just finished reading this a second time. Such a lovely read, I had tears in my eyes.

[Sarah · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 rounded up

A short but sweet story about ageing and memory told through the eyes of an army vet in his 70s, Oisín Mahoney, who on a summer day takes a group of his young relatives to 'the museum of rain', a collection of vessels holding rainwater he collected a number of years ago from various locations he travelled to. Oisín is a bit of a curmudgeon, but the poignant ending really made this for me. Recommended!

Thank you Netgalley and Scribd for the advance copy, which was provided in exchange for an honest review.

[Reilly Zimbric · Rating 5 out of 5]

Melissa made me read this on my break and it did not disappoint. Just a lovely lil story.

[chantel nouseforaname · Rating 3 out of 5]

A short & sweet listen. Jeff Daniels is fantastic in his narration. I loved the humour in the old man being simultaneously exhausted and enchanted by the grandkids in his family tree, less so by some of them.

The old man's secret emotions being shared throughout is a standout. You can hear the truth of his heart through the story that there's nowhere he'd rather be. You can mentally picture the entire scene of these kids kneeling down eating foraged plants, constantly annoying and capping on each other only to reach this special place in the woods in the end. It was touching.

I listened to The Museum of Rain by Dave Eggers on Scribd and for a small monthly fee you could listen to it too by clicking here.

[Melissa Wood · Rating 5 out of 5]

“Sometimes people simply do things. They get an idea and do it, and it’s not tied up with any love or childhood trauma. If we believe there’s a dramatic origin story for every human endeavor, we deprive our species of the ability to simply conjure an idea. To just make stuff and do things.”

[Hans · Rating 5 out of 5]

Essentially, if you were in a global pandemic and wanted something that spoke to and beyond and before the moment you were living in and considered art and family and a life lived and lives to come and what you leave behind and the nature that surrounds you despite and in spite of everything you are doing...this might just be that story. What a gem.

[Clara Levi · Rating 1 out of 5]

It’s a dnf from me dawg.

[GONZA · Rating 3 out of 5]

A short story that has the descriptive capacity of a beautiful photograph, a good Eggers, that lasts not enough.

Una breve storia che ha la capacitá descrittiva di una bella fotografia, un buon Eggers, che peró dura proprio troppo poco.

I received a digital complimentary copy of this book in exchange for a honest review.

[Mark Schwaber · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Hemingway short. Colorful, spirited, and graceful. A lovely poem of what we leave behind.

[Trevor Abbott · Rating 1 out of 5]

Literally it’s only 55 pages and I DNF, that should tell you everything you need to know

[Deborah · Rating 4 out of 5]

At a family reunion Oisín Mahoney leads a group of children to the Museum of Rain he created years before and abandoned. He discovers that his creations have welcomed many who have made the hike. The museum has evolved beyond his expectations. The kids are exposed to pleasures unknown. Oisín is reluctantly charmed and surprised by these youthful relatives as his past and present merge. A short read to treasure.

[Cherlynn | cherreading · Rating 3 out of 5]

✨ "Lives were celebrated in stories, not on stones."

A bit too short for me to form any attachment to the story or characters, but I really liked the ending and did not see it coming. A reflective, thought-provoking and meaningful read about life, memory, the lives we touch and what we leave behind.

I will definitely reread this and maybe then I'll appreciate it better.

✨ "Sometimes, people simply do things. They get an idea and do it, and it's not tied up with any love or childhood trauma. If we believe there's a dramatic origin story for every human endeavor, we deprive our species of the ability to simply conjure an idea, To just make stuff and do things."

[Kiernan · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely love the adventure aspect of this book. It gives excitement, and wonder to the reader.

[Beeba · Rating 3 out of 5]

2.5

[Dodi · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Museum of Rain is a 44-page short story by Dave Eggers. At a large family reunion in California, Oisin, the patriarch of the family in his 70s, leads a group of children on a hike to see his Museum of Rain. With humor and thoughtfulness, the group heads over rugged ground to a fabled manzanita tree.

The interaction between these two generations animated the story. It reminds me of long-ago days when kids roamed fields picking up sticks and rocks for play and played outside. Oisin shows the kids how to enjoy the outdoors along with the rewards it offers.

[nunu_readz · Rating 5 out of 5]

I saw this book in the library, loved the title, and it did not disappoint. It’s a very short story- 44 pages only- but it was so wholesome and cute! It speaks about an old man named Oisín who leads a group of children, grandnieces/nephews on a bike to the Museum of Rain. It’s a simple story on their adventure to discovering what the museum entails and how it has been holding up since Oisín himself created it.

Recommended to read when it’s raining for the full affect and vibes ☺️☔️

[Morris · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this gentle and beautiful story that explores family, getting older, and memory. It’s masterfully told in a somewhat sparse manner that evokes feelings in the reader based on their own experiences and memories. This is a perfect read for a rainy day.

This unbiased review is based on a complimentary copy provided by the publisher.

[Jeltje · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love kleine boekjes, deze was wel echt heel kort (44 pagina’s) maar echt geweldig fijn oooohh zo lief en mooi verhaal, zo magisch in de schoonheid in de kleine dingen zoeken <3 wel een beetje prijzig boekje dus twijfel of ik hem gewoon terugbreng (lol) maar wel ook een prachtige cover!!!! Echt fijn verhaaltje denk dat ik hem toch houd om nog vaker op terug te kijken :)

[Maylee · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love everything about this. The author does a great job at captivating how much joy heritage, family, and being known can feel. I liked seeing the main character Osin explore the face the idea of being forgotten by a nation he served, his community, and his family. I think this story is also great from an archival perspective, so much of what we buy and do can feel cheap or replaceable. And sometimes we can associate that lack of value to our worth as people and memories. Real value is held in what we invest even if it does not have monetary value.

[Bridget · Rating 4 out of 5]

"sometimes people simply do things. They get an idea and do it, and it's not tied up with any love or childhood trauma. If we believe there's a dramatic origin story for every human endeavor, we deprive our species the ability to simple conjure an idea."

[Kathryn Peyton · Rating 4 out of 5]

Luminous and sweet. Sometimes everything doesn’t have to be awful. Very short but Eggers has at least one interesting thing to say on every one of the 44 pages.

[Shelley · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sweetness embodied in a tiny painted hardcover. Moments of relatable interaction, a good surprise and there’s just a pure goodness about this that would make it a great gift for someone. I’m enamored with these 44 pages.

[Babs · Rating 3 out of 5]

A rather charming short story from Eggers.

[Ricky]

Very sweet! I'm surprised something this short was able to get a hardcover release, but it's a really nice story that brought a smile to my face.

[V.]

Dave Eggers is so obviously talented why does he write this mawkish Hallmark card garbage

[Luke Trenham · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great little story. This reminds me of a spin on the butterfly effect. Actions can seem so insignificant and arbitrary sometimes, but end up bringing so much joy to so many people. It’s the little things!

[Helen]

I have no idea what rating to give this book. I don't know what I was expecting but it wasn't this.

I feel slightly bewildered And unable to quite grasp something about the story, it's just out of reach to me, like it's just too nebulous for me to hold onto.

Oisin is such a fascinating character, his love for Rebecca is precious and the ending is beautiful.

[Sandra Walker · Rating 4 out of 5]

A sweet little gem.