The Story of Arthur Truluv by Elizabeth Berg

 "Arthur thinks that, above all, aging means the abandonment of criticism and the taking on of compassionate acceptance. He sees that as a good trade."

So writes Elizabeth Berg in her early description of the main character of her 2017 novel.  And wouldn't it be wonderful if more octogenarians like Arthur had this philosophy?  Actually, it would be wonderful for me to have this goal in my daily routine.

A recent widower, Arthur spends his days riding the bus to visit his lovely wife Nola for lunch at her gravesite, then gets home in time to nap and talk to his cat, Gordon.  Upon waking the next morning, this pattern repeats itself, as it has for the past six months.  The cemetery serves as an outlet for his imagination as he reads headstones and creates storylines for Nola's "neighbors".  And it is there that Maddy enters his life.  Seventeen and despondently sad, Arthur sees past the nose ring and slight chip on her shoulder, to her inner beauty.  Arthur kindly engages her in conversation.  Consumed with her own difficulties as the brunt of bullying in her high school, Maddy questions the purity of Arthur's motives.  As the beautiful and peaceful cemetery becomes a daily refuge for Maddy, she begins to open up to Arthur's overtures.  She visits his home, she meets his also-elderly neighbor, Lucille, and she begins to not miss her mother as much; while these welcoming Seniors take a more than curious interest in her life....and give her the unconditional love that she has desperately craved for so very long.

In the middle of a global pandemic, a hateful political climate and a world where unkindness prevails; this read was a breath of fresh air.  I wanted to hug Arthur for his non-judgmental attitude and for his courage in making huge adjustments in his life to accommodate others.  He opens his home to both Lucille and Maddy.  He gently suggests that Lucille volunteer her time to teach baking classes...which fills her need to be needed.  He bargains with Maddy to pay for her time in cleaning his home in exchange for room and board...which validates her need to give back.  Maddy blossoms under the support of a teacher who reaches out, and the exceptional care of Arthur and Lucille.  This trio living in the same household become a different kind of family: not traditional, but a family nonetheless.

Unselfishness, kindness, inter-generational acceptance, loneliness, loss...these are all themes that Elizabeth Berg includes in this sentimental read.  Although the ending is expected, it still left me wiping tears from my cheeks...and rooting for all of the kindhearted "Arthurs" out there, looking for opportunities to make a difference, one person at a time.