The Curious Charms of Arthur Pepper
Phaedra Patrick
Genre: Fiction
Summary (from Goodreads): 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.
Review: I seem to be a sucker for stories about sad old men going on journeys of self-discovery. Arthur is (quite honestly) a very boring and dull old man who has sunk into a bit of depression following the death of his wife and does exactly the same thing every day. Upon finding a mysterious charm bracelet buried amidst his late wife's possessions, he goes on a quest to discover where the charms came from and learn more about his wife at the same time. Written simplistically, this is a feel good story about a man developing new friendships, undertaking bold adventures, and deepening his love for life.
So why the 3.5 stars from me? It was a little too simplistic, with a few too many coincidences, and a lot of unbelievability. So why not a lower rating? Well, it was delightfully fun and easy to read, and I was looking for a light-hearted book at the time.
Rating: 3.5 stars
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