Book Review of "All the Beauty in the World"

What did I think of "All the Beauty in the World"?

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Having recently visited the Metropolitan Museum of Art for the first time (I'm kinda shocked about that myself!) and as a longtime fan of From the Mixed-Up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler—I was looking forward to Patrick Bringley’s All the Beauty in the World . I wanted a glimpse behind the scenes of this extraordinary museum, and the book did not disappoint. Bringley writes with intelligence, warmth, and a wonderfully human perspective, making the Met feel less like an institution and more like a living place filled with art, stories, visitors, and the people who quietly keep it all moving.

What I enjoyed most was the way Bringley combines his appreciation of great art with observations about everyday life, grief, work, and human connection. His years as a museum guard gave him the rare opportunity to slow down and truly look, and his reflections made me eager to return to the Met and experience some of its galleries with fresh eyes.

I also found myself relating to the book in an unexpected way because I work at the entrance desk of the much smaller and more humble Baker Museum in Naples, Florida. The scale may be dramatically different, but much of Bringley’s wisdom about museums, art, and the people who pass through them crosses over beautifully. A thoughtful and rewarding read.