The Museum of Lost and Fragile Things

"There’s such a lot to say about this book; Joinson’s evocation of a northern working class childhood, a life lived inside a cult and an adult struggle to understand those identities in a way that is truthful to her own experience and makes careful room for the perspective of others was something I could really personally connect with." — Jenn Ashworth, author of Ghosted: A Love Story 

‘A gripping portrait of a life, a relationship, a mind as it stretches and stretches.’ — Dr Noreen Masud, author of A Flat Place

Praise for A Lady Cyclist's Guide to Kashgar:

"An astonishing epic - colonial-era travel combined with a modern meditation on where we belong and how we connect in the world - I could not put it down." —Helen Simonson, bestselling author of Major Pettigrew's Last Stand

"A haunting, original, and beautifully written tale that conveys a sense of profound alienation and of other realities." —Paul Torday, bestselling author of Salmon Fishing in the Yemen

"Present and past meld into an exploration of conflicting traditions in an impressive debut.... An intriguing window into the difficulties of those who attempt to reach across cultural barriers." —Publishers Weekly

"Beautifully written in language too taut, piercing, and smartly observed to be called lyrical, this atmospheric first novel immediately engages, nicely reminding us that odd twists of fate sometimes aren't that odd. Highly recommended." —Library Journal, starred review

"This complex and involving historical novel examines the idea of home, the consequences of exile, the connection between mother and daughter, and the power dynamics of sexual relationships." —Booklist

Praise for A Photographer's Wife:

"Sheer beauty stalks the empty spaces of this stubborn, lyrical novel." - Editor's Choice, New York Times Book Review

"Atmospheric, romantic, yet refreshingly acerbic--Joinson's timely portrayal of the difficult relationships between different cultures is rivaled by her heartbreaking delineation of the fragile relationships between individuals." - starred review,Kirkus Reviews

"Historical fiction at its most pleasurable." -Library Journal

"An intriguing father-daughter story, with an Atonement-esque exploration of the differences between child and adult understanding." - BookPage

"There’s such a lot to say about this book; Joinson’s evocation of a northern working class childhood, a life lived inside a cult and an adult struggle to understand those identities in a way that is truthful to her own experience and makes careful room for the perspective of others was something I could really personally connect with."

-- Jenn Ashworth, author of Ghosted: A Love Story

‘A gripping portrait of a life, a relationship, a mind as it stretches and stretches.’

-- Dr Noreen Masud, author of A Flat Place

"An astonishing epic - colonial-era travel combined with a modern meditation on where we belong and how we connect in the world - I could not put it down."

-- Helen Simonson, bestselling author of Major Pettigrew's Last Stand

"A haunting, original, and beautifully written tale that conveys a sense of profound alienation and of other realities."

-- Paul Torday, bestselling author of Salmon Fishing in the Yemen

"Present and past meld into an exploration of conflicting traditions in an impressive debut.... An intriguing window into the difficulties of those who attempt to reach across cultural barriers."

* Publishers Weekly *

"Beautifully written in language too taut, piercing, and smartly observed to be called lyrical, this atmospheric first novel immediately engages, nicely reminding us that odd twists of fate sometimes aren't that odd. Highly recommended."

* Library Journal, starred review *

"This complex and involving historical novel examines the idea of home, the consequences of exile, the connection between mother and daughter, and the power dynamics of sexual relationships."

* Booklist *

"Sheer beauty stalks the empty spaces of this stubborn, lyrical novel."

* Editor's Choice, New York Times Book Review *

"Atmospheric, romantic, yet refreshingly acerbic--Joinson's timely portrayal of the difficult relationships between different cultures is rivaled by her heartbreaking delineation of the fragile relationships between individuals."

* starred review,Kirkus Reviews *

"Historical fiction at its most pleasurable."

* Library Journal *

"An intriguing father-daughter story, with an Atonement-esque exploration of the differences between child and adult understanding."

* BookPage *

‘A powerful portrait illustrating the dark side to hippy subcultures, it questions whether mind control can lead a mind to run wild. Joinson’s intimate portrayal of her ceaseless yearning to rescue and reconcile her loved ones from the mistakes of the past is gripping and moving. This is a beautifully written testament to mercy. It is everything those who have been left with nothing are looking for: to feel seen.’

-- Jade Angeles Fitton, author of Hermit: A memoir of finding freedom in a wild place

‘Joinson’s memoir is a kind of reverse excavation where she hunts down objects to then bury them through her generous prose. Her hunt for material proof of a past that constantly shifts and slips is riveting, sad, but in many ways triumphant.’

-- Jen Calleja, author of I’m Afraid That’s All We’ve Got Time For