2016 Book 130: THE CURIOUS CHARMS OF ARTHUR PEPPER by Phaedra Patrick
The Curious Charms of Arthur Pepper by Phaedra Patrick ISBN: 9780778319337 (hardcover) ISBN: 9781459293908 (ebook) ASIN: B016UEUIF6 (Kindle version) Publication Date: May 3, 2016 Publisher: MIRA
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.
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Arthur Pepper is a widower that has a set daily routine; up at a certain time, wearing specific outfits, eating at exact times, etc. Exactly one year after his wife’s death he decides to clear out her belongings. He unexpectedly finds an inexpensive gold charm bracelet in a pair of boots and this sets him off on a quest to find out more about his wife’s life before their marriage in The Curious Charms of Arthur Pepper by Phaedra Patrick.
I found The Curious Charms of Arthur Pepper to be a very fast-paced, cozy, and sweetly sentimental read. Arthur’s quest to learn more about his wife is just as much a journey of self-awareness as it is a way to learn more about her past. Arthur discovers that each charm represents a fascinating chapter in her life. An elephant charm representing her brief period as a nanny in India, a tiger charm given to her by a renowned playboy figure that is fascinated by tigers (so much so that he keeps a few on his estate), and more. What he ultimately finds out is that his wife was a woman that had traveled and touched the lives of people, young and old. I rather enjoyed Arthur’s travels and discoveries, as well as his rekindled relationship with his children. He also comes to realize that routines are nice, but breaking them won’t cause the world to end. The Curious Charms of Arthur Pepper has a lot to offer, but the reason you should read it is simply because it is a delightful read. I look forward to reading more from Ms. Patrick in the future.
I'm a reader, an avid reader, or perhaps a rabid reader (at least according to my family). I enjoy reading from a variety of different genres but particularly enjoy fiction, mystery, suspense, thrillers, ChickLit, romance and classics. I also enjoy reading about numerous non-fiction subjects including aromatherapy, comparative religions, herbalism, naturopathic medicine, and tea.
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