"Meet Me at the Museum" by Anne Youngson

   The Tollund Man is a body preserved in the bog in Denmark.  He lived in the iron Age (possibly around the 6th century B.C.).  For some reason, many people are drawn to the story of this man, whose remains are on display in a Denmark museum.  Books have been written about him, as well as a famous poem by Seamus Heaney.

 
   Anne Youngson was inspired by the Tallund Man to write a novel called "Meet Me At The Museum".  It seems like a very unusual interest for a woman who was an engineer in the car industry and a farmer's wife, living in England.  She said, "Both the photo and the poem inspired me to think of enduring, and being present and yet absent, of patience and tolerance."  

   This is a gentle, reflective epistolary love story.  The correspondence is between Tina Hopgood, a British farmer's wife, and Anders Larsen, a curator at a museum in Denmark.  It is a quick read with deep meaning. Two people, who have never met, are at the same stage of life, overwhelmed by questions about life: Has my life been worthwhile?  What is lasting?  What is important?
  As they wrote, each of them began to see life differently.  
Quote:
  "Our correspondence began at a time when I was finding little reason to be happy, and it has brought me happiness.  It would distress me greatly if it was making you unhappy in ways that make it seem a burden to you.  You have lifted a burden of grief from me.  I wish it could do the same for you."

   This is a first novel and some people believe it would be a good book club choice.  I don't know what you would discuss.  There are very few characters and not much plot.  As I said, it is a reflection of life.