Monday, December 3, 2018

The Story of Arthur Truluv; Elizabeth Berg


AUTHOR: Elizabeth Berg
PUBLISHER: Recorded Books (audio)
PUB. YEAR: 2017
SETTING:  Missouri
FORMAT:  - library
RATING: 4.5/5 stars

Arthur Moses is an 82 year old widower who is misses his wife Nola very much. Although he still has his cat Gordon and his elderly neighbor, Lucille for company, he's added a new routine to his life. Arthur takes a daily bus ride to the cemetery to chat with his dead wife. He sits on a folding chair, eats his lunch and tells Nola about his day.

One day he notices a young girl there and they begin to chat, her name is Maddy,  Maddy's mom died a few weeks after she was born and her dad seems devoid of emotions. She has a boyfriend who has been using her and no other real friends either.  Maddy is fascinated by Arthur's devotion to his late wife and nicknames hime "Arthur Truluv". When Maddy needs a place to live, Arthur welcomes her into his home. Their friendship is special. Arthur, Lucille, and Maddy are an unlikely trio, but it works.

I loved this charming story, it was exactly the kind of story I needed when I read it.  It shows how family doesn't have to fit some particular stereotype. A touching story about aging and loneliness and about what constitutes a family.    Even though the ending was a bit sad, overall, it's a hopeful story, that leaves you with the feeling that everything will be okay.  I can't wait to read the sequel, Night of Miracles soon.

16 comments:

  1. This sounds heartwarming - we need more stories like that these days.

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  2. I used to read Elizabeth Berg but it has been awhile. Might be time for another of hers.

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    1. I haven't read her in a number of years but I was looking for something light and this had excellent reviews.

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  3. What a lovely concept and important as well--family is what we make of it.

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  4. I’ve been hearing such good things about this book. Another for the list.

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  5. I have seen this book make the rounds. But yours if the 1st review I've seen. Looks like a good one.

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  6. I love this book, I read it and reviewed it on my blog recently. Thanks for bringing it to more people's attention.

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  7. Hi Diane! I'm Carole from Carole's Chatter. I found your blog via Book Dilettante (courtesy of Silver's Reviews). I wondered if you would like to join the group of bloggers who share their posts on a monthly basis via Books You Loved. I host this link up on the first Wednesday of each month. If you would like to check it out just hop on over to Carole's Chatter. We would all love to see you there. Cheers

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