Book Review: The Curious Charms of Arthur Pepper by Phaedra Patrick
The Details
Media Type: Audio Book
Title: The Curious Charms of Arthur Pepper
Author(s): Phaedra Patrick
Publisher: Sourcebooks Fire
Pages/Length: Hardcover; 331
Release Date: January 29, 2016
Source: Library Borrow
Add it on: Goodreads | Amazon | Bookshop
In this poignant and sparkling debut, a lovable widower embarks on a life-changing adventure
Sixty-nine-year-old Arthur Pepper lives a simple life. He gets out of bed at precisely 7:30 a.m., just as he did when his wife, Miriam, was alive. He dresses in the same gray slacks and mustard sweater vest, waters his fern, Frederica, and heads out to his garden.
But on the one-year anniversary of Miriam’s death, something changes. Sorting through Miriam’s possessions, Arthur finds an exquisite gold charm bracelet he’s never seen before. What follows is a surprising and unforgettable odyssey that takes Arthur from London to Paris and as far as India in an epic quest to find out the truth about his wife’s secret life before they met–a journey that leads him to find hope, healing and self-discovery in the most unexpected places.
Featuring an unforgettable cast of characters with big hearts and irresistible flaws, The Curious Charms of Arthur Pepper is a curiously charming debut and a joyous celebration of life’s infinite possibilities.
The Review
What a CUTE BOOK oh my gosh! Sometimes I like to just wander through my library suggestions and see what they have on offer. Especially lately, since I’ve been so poor at keeping up with new releases. I crave seeing what else I missed from before. I am so very glad that this book popped up on my radar. It was exactly the kind of bittersweet, poignant and charming book that I needed. Yes friends, pun definitely intended.
Arthur Pepper is very set in his ways, especially since the loss of the love of his life. His days are held together by the familiar, mundane tasks that he sets out for himself. Not a bad existence, to be sure. However the reader quickly realizes that Arthur isn’t happy in this little routine. It’s comfortable, but not exciting. It’s easy to follow, but not fulfilling. Lucky for him, one little charm bracelet is all it takes to set him off on a wild adventure.
The writing style here is just so easy to read, and following along with Arthur on his madcap adventures is honestly a blast. I giggled as he met new people and learned new things. I sobbed a bit as he shared stories about his old life, and his lovely wife. Most of all though, I found myself smiling at the fact that this story gave the reader so much to love about this man. I love character growth, and this book is absolutely chock full of it. While some of it feels a little out there in terms of plausibility, it’s so charming that I just accepted it and enjoyed it.
Highly recommend this if you’re looking for a read that is cozy and sweet, with a character who feels like they could be your best friend. It was a delight to read this, and I’ll be looking for more from Phaedra Patrick!
