What readers think of The Story of Arthur Truluv, plus links to write your own review.

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.

Family is not always who you are related to, but who you love and care for. This book truly illustrates that.

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.

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.

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.

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.

I thoroughly enjoyed this book. I found myself stoping from time to time, re-reading sentences and looking for a pencil to underline them. The insights of both Maddy and Arthur were so profound that I wanted to make sure I could find them again when I went back to the book.

I wish the book was a little bit longer and that Berg spent a bit more time on Maddy's story between the time when she left her father's house and found Arthur. However, I think the take away from the book was the Friendships between Maddy, Arthur and Lucille and how it is never too late to let love into your life in all forms: Romantic and Friendship.

After reading the Story of Arthur Trulove and perusing the list of other books by the author, I was surprised I had not read any of her books. I definitely plan to in the future.
This book while being very readable addresses the issues that can either separate us or make us into a family.
Arthur Moses, a recent widower renamed Truelove by Maddie, a teen he meets in the cemetery, and Arthur's neighbor, Lucille find themselves drawn together in an unlikely situation. Elizabeth writes with humor and compassion about the lives of these characters. I enjoyed reading their stories.