For fans of A Man Called Ove, here’s another sweet tale about a widower trying to find meaning after his wife’s death: Phaedra’s Patrick’s The Curious Charms of Arthur Pepper. Arthur Pepper lives a life rooted in routine. Every day he gets up, has his coffee, and puts on the same outfit, then putters in his garden and tries to avoid the kind neighbor lady who brings him food. But one year after his wife’s death, he starts clean out her closet and finds a charm bracelet that he has never seen before. Unable to control his curiosity, he investigates each charm one by one. As Arthur delves into his wife’s mysterious past, the odyssey to find the origin of the charms leads him on a path of self-discovery.
The Curious Charms of Arthur Pepper is an excellent pick for anyone looking for a light, friendly read. The story is sweet and comforting, like a favorite classic movie you’ve seen a million times. And while Arthur may find out things about his wife’s past that he didn’t want to know, everything turns out all right in the end. The charms are also a very clever plot device to keep you turning pages, since the mystery of each one is so intriguing. In addition, the character development of Arthur himself is done well, as he grows believably over the course of his journey. Loved by book clubs the world over, The Curious Charms of Arthur Pepper is as comforting and warm as a mug of hot chocolate on a winter’s day.
Review by Shannon Wood
Adult Services Librarian
Nordonia Hills Branch Library
