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There are currently 47 member reviews
for The Story of Arthur Truluv
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Colleen A. (Rome, GA)
The Story of Arthur Truluv
What a lovely read. This quiet, simple story deals with important questions of what it means to love, seek happiness and be connected to others. The characters of Arthur, Maddie and Lucille are well drawn. As all three are battling their personal form of loneliness, they are learning to be open and trusting of each other. Arthur misses his wife Nola. Maddie laments being excluded by her peers. Lucille mourns what her life could have been. Their interactions are honest, insightful and often humorous. I especially liked the amusing life stories Arthur creates for his wife's cemetery neighbors. It would have been a nice addition to have the author share the recipes for Lucille's baked treats.
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Carol S. (Vienna, VA)
Don't overlook this book because your read Ove
Elizabeth Berg's new book, The Story of Arthur Truluv, examines emotional loss and new found hope through the lens of different generations, seniors and young adults. Arthur lost his beloved wife Nola and goes to her grave site every day. He and his neighbor Lucille, both in the senior category, strike up an unlikely friendship with Maddy, a troubled teen with an indifferent father and a bad-boy boyfriend. The three reach out to each other, consciously and unconsciously to establish a community of caring. The book sweetly explores the human desire to be useful as one ages. For that reason the book should appeal to the retirement crowd. More importantly, the story demonstrates our desire to know at all times that there is a family, biological or not, that will help turn time, as the book says, from a time of waiting to a time of adventure.
Having said that the book should appeal to a retirement crowd, it should equally appeal to late teens and adults who may someday remember the wisdom the book contains.
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Cindy J. (Hastings, NY)
Family
Family is not always who you are related to, but who you love and care for. This book truly illustrates that.
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Marganna K. (Edmonds, WA)
Book Club Potential
This book is a sweet, simple read with many deep thoughts and emotions to ponder. From the first page I predicted I'd enjoy this book. The story, plot line, characters are mentioned & described adequately by many of the other reviewers. My favorite parts often had to do with Gordon, the cat, & Arthur's interactions with him. Also Arthur's visits to the cemetery reading tombstones & giving us information about the person "from beyond the grave" was delightful! (I worked for a funeral home/cemetery for years).
Last year my book club members said: "Whew! We've read so many excellent, but "heavy" books -- so serious, dark, life is a struggle. Can we find an uplifting fun book?" I know those books are out there but we couldn't find what we wanted. This book would definitely qualify - a solid story, well written & presented with meaning & feeling, enough human emotions to engage our group in a discussion.
Yes, I think it's a predictable story line, a bit simple and maybe just too good to be true but sometimes I just want a good book that engages me & holds my attention. This book did that.
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Martha P. (Issaquah, WA)
Sweet story
A very lovely story from one of my favorite authors. Arthur, Maddy, and Lucille, the three main characters, have all suffered major losses in their lives but together they find ways to heal. This is a quiet and introspective story of love, acceptance and support and how being there for someone can change a life. Short read. My favorite of Berg's is still The Pull of the Moon.
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Sharon P. (San Diego, CA)
Sweet and touching story
I did like this book and found it a very enjoyable read. The characters were likable and the ending was sweet. however, there were a few things that didn't flush out for me...I loved Arthur's ability to hear the dead's stories and I would have loved for that to be flushed out more. Also, wasn't really sure of the connection between Arthur and his neighbor. Overall, a delight and will recommend for an easy summer read.
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Celia P. (Melbourne, FL)
Three Lives Come Together
This is the story of three people who have all lost a loved one. But the three improbably come together to support each other and learn how to live again. One is Arthur, age 82, the second is Maddy, age 18, and the third is Arthur's nosy neighbor, Lucille, a spinster of undetermined old age.
Elizabeth Berg has written a lovely story and has further enhanced it with beautiful phrasing and true life aphorisms. Maddy has had a sad and lonely life. She goes through a bunch of 'what ifs'. She concludes with this thought: If she (Maddy) hadn't lived here, would she ever have come to such an appreciation of what old people have to offer? Her thoughts brought a smile to this older and experienced reader's face!
The book is short and a quick enjoyable read.
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