The feel-good book of the year: a delightful novel of friendship, community, and the way small acts of kindness can change your life, by the bestselling author of The Story of Arthur Truluv Lucille Howard is getting on in years, but she stays busy. Thanks to the inspiration of her dearly departed friend Arthur Truluv, she has begun to teach baking classes, sharing the secrets to her delicious … secrets to her delicious classic Southern yellow cake, the perfect pinwheel cookies, and other sweet essentials. Her classes have become so popular that she’s hired Iris, a new resident of Mason, Missouri, as an assistant. Iris doesn’t know how to bake but she needs to keep her mind off a big decision she sorely regrets.
When a new family moves in next door and tragedy strikes, Lucille begins to look out for Lincoln, their son. Lincoln’s parents aren’t the only ones in town facing hard choices and uncertain futures. In these difficult times, the residents of Mason come together and find the true power of community—just when they need it the most.
“Elizabeth Berg’s characters jump right off the page and into your heart” said Fannie Flagg about The Story of Arthur Truluv. The same could be said about Night of Miracles, a heartwarming novel that reminds us that the people we come to love are often the ones we don’t expect.
Praise for Night of Miracles
“Happy, sad, sweet and slyly funny, [Night of Miracles] celebrates the nourishing comfort of community and provides a delightfully original take on the cycles of life.”—People (Book of the Week)
“Find refuge in Mason, a place blessedly free of the political chaos we now know as ‘real life.’ In Berg’s charming but far from shallow alternative reality, the focus is on the things that make life worth living: the human connections that light the way through the dark of aging, bereavement, illness and our own mistakes. . . . As the endearing, odd-lot characters of Mason, Missouri, coalesce into new families, dessert is served: a plateful of chocolate-and-vanilla pinwheel cookies for the soul.”—USA Today
“Full of empathy and charm, every chapter infuses the heart with a renewed sense of hope.” —Woman’s World
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The stories of several people dealing with the tragedies and the living in everyday life. Great author who makes the reader experience what these characters are feeling.
an all time favorite book. Second in a series
Sweet, feel good story. Likable characters.
This was a simple and sweet story. Certainly enjoyable for light reading. This would be a great beach read.
Arthur Moses opens his home to Maddy the pregnant teen with whom he befriended on his daily trips to the gravesite of his wife Nola. It isn’t long before his neighbor Lucille Howard moves in to assist with Maddy. She is a lonely woman who tries to keep busy by giving cooking lessons. While Maddy is away at school for photography Lucille maintains the home which Arthur Moses left to Maddy when he passed.
Lucille develops an unexpected relationship with the family who currently live in her former home. She has experienced love and loss over the years but accepts an invitation to dinner by Jason and Abby Summers. They have a 10 year old son Lincoln and a dog Henry.
Again, the story has friendships forming between unlikely people. Lucille forms connections with many of the clients who attend her cooking classes. Several characters are introduced who will follow into the the next book, The Confession Club. Iris Winters becomes invaluable to Lucille when her health begins to fail. Lucille begins a rigid and meticulous training so that Iris might help continue her classes when she is unable.
The mix of characters provide a touching reminder that family are those with whom we choose to have around us.
It’s been a few years since I’ve read Elizabeth Berg and reading Night of Miracles reminds me of what I’ve been missing. Ms. Berg writes books that warm our hearts and remind of us good in the world, Night of Miracles is no exception. I finished it in two quick readings, the characters kept me turning the pages. Now I want to go back and read what I’ve missed of hers.
I devoured this book in a few hours. The Story of Arthur Truluv is one of my all time favorite books so I was very pleased to see this book 2 with the wonderful characters.
Both books have a beautiful blend of relationships between the young and the elderly. So much respect, love and learning from each other in these amazing books.
I adored how the story carried on from the first book and hope that the series continues.
I bogged down a few times, but the characters were so wonderful I easily got back on track just to see what they said next!
This is just a “good story” about wonderful people. It’s kind of a sequel to Arthur Truluv but you don’t need to read that first to enjoy this story.
No stress–just enjoyable. Just what I needed!
An easy read about women transitioning through life– sweet message about community.
I love Elizabeth Berg! I hadn’t read anything by her in many years and picked this book up and remembered immediately as I was drawn into this lovely book that she knows how our hearts work. Simple , complex, entertained , beautiful.
Loved that this book was a continuation of the story of one other characters in the Arthur Truluv book.
NIGHT OF MIRACLES is a perfect read for welcoming in another new year, triggering both tears and laughter, while gently reminding us in the best, most affirming way that “everybody’s job [is] to love life while you [have] it and never to take anything for granted.” Elizabeth Berg’s wonderful characters became dear friends, who simultaneously warmed my heart and made it ache. I loved every page and didn’t want it to end.
Elderly Lucille Howard enjoys staying busy teaching baking classes in her Mason, Missouri home during which she shares her secret recipes and tips. In fact, word has spread about her classes and she’s become so busy that she hires an assistant. Iris Wilson doesn’t know anything about baking, but she needs a job and to keep busy. She has just moved to Mason from Boston and does not want to be reminded about the decision she made ten years ago — and has regretted since.
Lucille’s next-door neighbors, Abby and Jason, ask if their young son, Lincoln, might stay with Lucille from time to time. Abby has been diagnosed with cancer and is going to need treatment that can only be received in nearby Columbia.
Lucille forges friendships with newcomers Iris and little Lincoln, and remains close to Maddy, the young girl who moved in Arthur, Lucille’s now-deceased beloved, when she was eighteen and pregnant. She worked as Arthur’s housekeeper. Lucille moved in, as well, and they formed a family. Maddy had no mother, was estranged from her father, and had been bullied in school. But now she has nearly finished college and they keep in touch via phone calls and occasional visits. Lucille dotes on Maddy’s little daughter, Nola. Sure enough,
Lucille is the heart and soul of a community compromised of residents care and look out for each other created by author Elizabeth Berg. Berg’s characters are reminiscent of close family or friends her readers know and, therefore, eminently believable and infinitely endearing. Time spent with them is as fulfilling as time spent with one’s own family and readers will find themselves laughing at their quirks and flaws, and then crying with them when they endure tragedy. Lucille wisely relates her experiences aging, railing against her own mortality, and mourning the love she found late in life and, as a result, with whom she had such precious little time. She admits her own mistakes and regrets, but knows that dwelling on them won’t change a thing. The result is a charming, uplifting, and lovely story that is thoroughly delightful and ends far too soon. Night of Miracles is, simply, a beautiful book that should not be missed. One of the best of 2018.
Thanks to NetGalley for an Advance Reader’s Copy of the book.
Sweet and light.
Loved it,wish they included the recipes
This book continues the story started with The Story of Arthur Truluv. I do not think it is necessary to read The Story of Arthur Truluv first to understand this story, but please do read it because it is a great story!
I loved this book from the first page. Being pulled back into Arthur’s world was such a pleasure. I adore the characters and it was like being wrapped in a cozy blanket with a cup of tea on a snowy day while reading. Such a joy! Even though I read at my desk at lunch, or at a cafe, or at home, I felt surrounded by warmed and love. Elizabeth Berg’s writing gives me that circle of love all around me.
You can easily read the summary of the book, so I will not include that here. I am just trying to stress that you will totally enjoy this wonderful story by an excellent author!
love the way this author tells a story, her characters have flaws but redeem themselves. to get the most out of this be sure to read “The
story of Arthur Truluv” first.
Very good book. I loved the characters from the previous book about Arthur Truluv. I couldn’t wait to read Night of Miracles. It did not disappoint.