“I dare you to read this novel and not fall in love with Arthur Truluv. His story will make you laugh and cry, and will show you a love that never ends, and what it means to be truly human.”—Fannie FlaggAn emotionally powerful novel about three people who each lose the one they love most, only to find second chances where they least expect them“Fans of Meg Wolitzer, Emma Straub, or [Elizabeth] … Wolitzer, Emma Straub, or [Elizabeth] Berg’s previous novels will appreciate the richly complex characters and clear prose. Redemptive without being maudlin, this story of two misfits lucky to have found one another will tug at readers’ heartstrings.”—Booklist
For the past six months, Arthur Moses’s days have looked the same: He tends to his rose garden and to Gordon, his cat, then rides the bus to the cemetery to visit his beloved late wife for lunch. The last thing Arthur would imagine is for one unlikely encounter to utterly transform his life.
Eighteen-year-old Maddy Harris is an introspective girl who visits the cemetery to escape the other kids at school. One afternoon she joins Arthur—a gesture that begins a surprising friendship between two lonely souls. Moved by Arthur’s kindness and devotion, Maddy gives him the nickname “Truluv.” As Arthur’s neighbor Lucille moves into their orbit, the unlikely trio band together and, through heartache and hardships, help one another rediscover their own potential to start anew.
Wonderfully written and full of profound observations about life, The Story of Arthur Truluv is a beautiful and moving novel of compassion in the face of loss, of the small acts that turn friends into family, and of the possibilities to achieve happiness at any age.
Praise for The Story of Arthur Truluv
“For several days after [finishing The Story of Arthur Truluv], I felt lifted by it, and I found myself telling friends, also feeling overwhelmed by 2017, about the book. Read this, I said, it will offer some balance to all that has happened, and it is a welcome reminder we’re all neighbors here.”—Chicago Tribune
“Not since Paul Zindel’s classic The Pigman have we seen such a unique bond between people who might not look twice at each other in real life. This small, mighty novel offers proof that they should.”—People, Book of the Week
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I had never read anything by this author before. This book was a bit of a slow starter for me, but When I got into it I hated to put it down. Very imaginative plot and great character development.
Reminiscent of “A Man Called Ove”…these story lines have wonderful characters, each with unique characteristics. Beautiful to become one big happy family!
I read the audio version of this book and Elizabeth Berg does not disappoint as either the writer nor the narrator. It was a wonderful story to listen to about an unlikely friendship that forms in the graveyard between an 80+ man visiting his wife’s grave and a highschool student who is shunnned at school.
Reading about , Arthur’s and Maddy’s lives, is a treat you won’t soon forget.
Enter Lucille, the overbearing and kind neighbour struggling with her own losses and you have the makings of a family. This is a story of love, loss, and renewal. My favourite kind.
I wanted to stay in Arthur Truluv’s world a little longer and was thrilled to find there is a sequel.
If you read this book you will fall in love with Arthur as I did. And you will definitely need to read the other two books in the series. All are well worth your time.
This book has it all. Love, friendship, generational differences, good neighbors. The characters are people you would love to know and have in your life. Arthur is such an amazing man. I loved getting to know him and to be able to spend time in his world.
Highly enjoyable.
Loved the story, the characters, the dialogue, the interaction. This was a wonderful read!
A lovely love story between the most unlikely of people, a teenaged girl from a troubled home and two elderly people. Together they form a chosen family and face a world that is troubled and yet, with their attitudes, comforting. The perfect kind of Covid read. Makes you feel better about life and humanity. Well written and charming.
A sweet and poignant look at love from different people and different times in life
Such a sweet story! If you liked “A Man called Ove”, you will enjoy this story.
Heartwarming and light
I loved Arthur and all the other characters. Kindness is never wasted.
Elizabeth Berg never disappoints. Her characters are engaging and capture you from the beginning. I’m cried, I laughed. I felt like the characters were people I knew.
I loved this book,wonderful charactors,moving story and loved Mr Truluv
Very sweet. I loved all the characters.
LOVED THE PLOT
I love the generation support, and wisdom. The working, living and sharing hope and love. Each person needing to receive and give love, forgiveness and support. Great reading.
I loved this story! A unique story that is well written in my viewpoint.
We can all learn something about life in this charming story and our feelings towards each other.
This is really a good book. I loved it!
Little heart ache but you will love Arthur