The Story of Arthur Truluv by Elizabeth Berg

No matter the weather, Arthur can be found every day at lunchtime by his wife’s grave, speaking to her, almost as if she’s still there with him. There are others whom he visits there as well, feeling a sense of who they might have been. And one might think this strange, but Maddie doesn’t. She, too, comes to the cemetery at lunchtime, but she comes not to seek out, but to avoid. Once Arthur and Maddie find each other in this unusual place, however, their worlds become a bit less lonely.

For those of you who loved A Man Called Ove as I did, you will likely love this as well. The friendship that evolves between the elderly Arthur and the young Maddie is as endearing as it is unexpected. Arthur, in his openness and generosity, defies all stereotypes of his generation. He seems, rather, to have learned through his life experience, through his disappointments and treasured memories, that we must appreciate what we have and the good individuals we are lucky enough to encounter. Likewise, Maddie also defies what we might expect of an outwardly rebellious adolescent. She is merely hurting, and is deeply in need of love.

The writing is both sparse and deep. It feels as if each word and its placement is chosen with care; that every sentence is built not only with intellect but with heart. I felt myself cycle through smiling, giggling, and getting choked up, as I moved from line to line, from chapter to chapter.

Just try to read this one and not feel anything. Just try to read this and not fall in love with these characters. I dare you! I believe this is a MUST READ!