My sister Joy recommended this book to me. I've seen this author and her books on the town library shelves but had never chosen one. This was a sweet, feel good story.
STORY SUMMARY
Arthur Moses is a widower. His wife Nola died about six months ago and he misses her so much. He is a very predictable, unassuming man. He tends to his roses, he enjoys the company of his cat Gordon, and he rides the bus to go visit his wife in the cemetery every single day, rain or shine, and eats his lunch there. He brings his little folding chair. Little does he know, that one day, his life will be changed because of one encounter with a moody teenager named Maddy who is almost 18 years old.
Maddy Harris is a senior in high school with an older boyfriend named Anderson. She is quiet and melancholy. She's also very introspective and into art. She doesn't like school though and escapes to the cemetery at lunch time to get away from the other kids at school. One afternoon, she meets Arthur and they begin a very surprising friendship. They are both lonely souls.
Lucille is Arthur's neighbor, also in her eighties, whose husband died many years ago. She has reconnected with her high school crush, Frank. They are engaged to be married and she is so happy to be reunited with Frank. She is the neighborhood busy-body and loves to gossip and bake. But when Frank dies suddenly of a massive heart attack, she is like a lost ship at sea. She's lonely but doesn't want to admit it.
Arthur checks up on Lucille often and although sometimes she bothers him, he does have a soft spot for her.
Meanwhile, Maddy and Anderson have broken up and Maddy is pregnant with Anderson's baby but doesn't tell him. She does tell her father who doesn't want her to keep the baby. He has raised Maddy on his own, as her mother died when she was just 2 weeks old. Her father has been emotionally distant ever since and has never grieved well for her mother. Theirs is a difficult relationship. She knows her father loves her, and she loves him, but she feels most connected to Arthur.
Arthur offers Maddy a home with him and soon Lucille joins them, too. They are like a little family. It is a safe environment where they look out for one another. Maddy gives Arthur the nickname "Truluv" because of his devotion and compassion. The trio of friends navigate through trials and heartache, yet they also help each other find their own strengths to begin anew.
MY THOUGHTS
This book is sweet without being sappy.
It's a very moving novel about compassion, loss, grief, and friendships. It's about family and how people can be a family without being related. It also brings out that a person can find true happiness no matter what the age.
The characters are very well developed and believable. I love the humor in the story, as well.
I love how the author tied in Thanksgiving and Maddy's father.
I enjoyed how the book ended, too ...what a beautiful ending...but I don't want to ruin it for you by revealing anything and spoiling it.
A quote that jumped out at me was found on page 55:
"People who don't feel cared for are not always comfortable being cared for." (The Story of Arthur Truluv by Elizabeth Berg, c.2017)
In my opinion, this book is appropriate for ages 14 and older.
On a scale of 1-10, with 10 being the highest, I rate this a 9.
1 comment:
I must read this book now, Faith. Thanks so much for sharing about it. I love it that you rated it a 9 because I know you wouldn't rate it that high if you didn't think it was worth the read. Thanks so much, my friend!
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