The Curious Charms Of Arthur Pepper
by Phaedra Patrick
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Pub Date 7 Apr 2016 | Archive Date 1 Apr 2016
Description
– Harper’s Bazaar
40 years of marriage.
8 golden charms.
One man’s journey of discovery.
Having been married for over 40 years, 69-year-old Arthur Pepper is mourning the loss of his wife. On the anniversary of her death, he finally musters the courage to go through her possessions, and happens upon a charm bracelet that he has never seen before.
What follows is a surprising adventure that takes Arthur from London to Paris and 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 healing, self-discovery, and love in the most unexpected of places.
Charming by name, charming by nature, this book is a balm for the soul and heart.’ – The Sun
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Readers have fallen in love with The Curious Charms of Arthur Pepper:
'I enjoyed this lovely book so much. Recommended if you want to read a poignant, warm-hearted story'
'A lovely book and very well written with gentle humour and charm'
'A little gem of a book peppered with humour'
'Will leave you feeling warm and content by the end'
'Absolutely the best book I have read in a long time. The story was lovely'
'I truly loved every page! The most beautiful story that I've ever read!'
'A delightful read. I adored it'
Available Editions
EDITION | Other Format |
ISBN | 9781848454354 |
PRICE | £12.99 (GBP) |
Featured Reviews
On the anniversary of his wife Miriam’s death and still grief-stricken, Arthur Potter decides to finally clear out his wife’s clothes and personal belongings. Whilst doing so, he comes across a beautiful gold charm bracelet of hers that he’s never seen before and curiosity leads him to disrupt his routine and reclusive, humdrum existence to begin an adventure to uncover his wife’s past.......
This is a beautiful and witty read. It’s a bit quirky and sparkly and not altogether realistic but that is the book’s charm. This book is not so much about what Arthur is able to find out about his wife, but more about him learning things about himself, moving outside of his comfort zone and finding purpose for his own life.
I adored Arthur. He’s a warm and lovable character and a bit of an inspiration.
I would highly recommend this book, which is like a giant heart-warming hug that leaves you feeling uplifted and fuzzy inside.
Many thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for a copy of this ARC, in exchange for an honest review. I predict that this will be a top read during 2016.
Wow, what a truly wonderful book. This isn't the sort of book I usually read, I'm more into chick-lit, but the description just caught my eye and I am so glad I read it. It's the sort of book that draws you in and keeps you reading until the early hours of the morning to see what happens next.
Arthur Pepper is 69 and lost his wife a year ago. He's really been operating on auto-pilot for the past year, not really doing anything but surviving, and being helped along by his big-hearted neighbour Bernadette, until he finally decides to clear out some of his wife's clothes and finds a gold charm bracelet hidden in one of his wife's boots that he didn't remember ever seeing.
The story leads us through his wife's life before he met her, via the story of each charm on the bracelet, and leads him on a journey of self-discovery. He meets really interesting people along the way, reconnects with his children and embraces life again. It's such a wonderful life affirming book, one of those story's that stays with you long after you've finished it. I can't believe it's a debut book and I'm really looking forward to seeing what this wonderful author writes next. Rush out and buy this book, you won't be disappointed!
I have to say one of the best books I have read this year..... Brilliant, captivating and one not to miss. I would recommend sitting down first thing in the morning putting the kettle on and settle in for the duration!!
I am not usually a fan of this kind of book. However, from the first page I was drawn into the story and could not put the book down. The characters were sympathetically described and I found myself caring about them, especially Arthur. I wanted him to have a happy ending. This is sure to be a bestseller when it is released.
This is one of those achingly beautiful books that leaves you with a lovely warm feeling. Arthur Pepper is one of those characters who touch your heart. As he sets off on a journey of discovery related to his much loved but sadly deceased wife, Arthur actually discovers much more about himself, eventually returning to a new life enriched with new possibilities. Fans of A Man Called Ove will love it. Thank you to Mira Books UK and Harper Collins for giving me the opportunity to read this book.
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This is a wonderfully written story which I cannot praise enough.
The characters are well filled out all with their own foibles and with the story unfolding I found I just could not put it down.
There are not enough superlatives to state how good this is or have I stated that previously. The only fault I could find was the title of the book appeared to be inserted into the middle of a sentence on a couple of pages.
Saying that, it did not disrupt the reading of the book.
Brilliant.
Superb story. The delightfully named Arthur Pepper sets off on a quest to discover the secrets behind his his late wife's charm bracelet. A coming of age story of a 69 year old who challenges all he thought he knew. This book has many delightful characters, but it is Arthur himself who charms you. This is a book that wil stay with you long after you finish it. Cannot recommend highly enough.
This is a delightful tale of an initially staid and unadventurous man in his late sixties, who is stunned into inactivity by the recent loss of his wife. The book and character come to life with the discovery of a charm bracelet, which hints at an unexplained world behind the idealised view he holds of his beloved wife. He manages to break free of his self-imposed routine to discover details of her past with unaccustomed boldness and curiosity. The resulting quest reveals more about himself than his wife and is a truly charming voyage of discovery. An uplifting read, which I found surprisingly touching and compelling.
A 5* read! An absolutely charming book which reminds me of The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry.
Arthur is an adorable character and the book follows his journey from London to Paris and India to find out about his late wife's secret life before they met.
Warm and uplifting - do not miss out on reading this book!
Many thanks to the publisher & NetGalley for the advance reader copy in exchange for my honest review.
"The Curious Charms of Arthur Pepper" is a heart-warming tale of relationships, friendship and moving on after bereavement. Some of the situations in the story were rather far-fetched and the writing style was a bit naive but the book was very accessible. This could be read by people of all ages, including teens, and they should all get something from it.
I have just had my heart stolen by Arthur Pepper in this delightful story by Phaedra Patrick!
After 40 years of marriage to Miriam, Arthur Pepper is alone. Widowed and without purpose as his son lives in Australia and rarely has time to talk to him, and his daughter who is a teacher rarely gets in touch as she always feels she's interfering. So Arthur for the year after his beloved wife dies almost becomes a hermit. He finds comfort in routine and learns to hide from well meaning neighbours as he just feels lost without his soul mate.
On the one year anniversary of Miriams death he finally feels able to clear out some of her clothes, and while he is going through the wardrobe he uncovers a gold charm bracelet and that is when his journey begins as he looks to find out the meaning of the charms and why Miriam had never mentioned this bracelet.
There are some amazing discoveries and while Arthur pushes himself out of his comfort zone, he begins to learn of a whole new side of Miriam but also starts discovering things about himself and it is a joy, and sometimes heartbreaking, read as we follow him on his travels.
Such a beautiful, warm story that had me in tears at time but also had my heart singing with joy as we get to see Arthur finally finding purpose to his life again after he'd pretty much given up hope of every being happy again, and also sees him reconnecting with his children.
highly recommended read for anyone who loves a story full of hope and will definitely be looking out for more books from this author in the future as her writing style is captivating
Arthur Pepper at 69 is a lonely widower, closing himself off from the world and following daily routines that he knows his dear departed wife Miriam would have approved of. One year to the day after her death Arthur feels the time is right to clear her clothes out of the bedroom. Inside one of her boots he finds a charm bracelet full of charms that he has never seen in the forty years they had been married. On one of the charms is a phone number. Arthur's incredible journey has begun.
Phaedra Patrick's novel cannot be read quickly, it's like you don't want to rush Arthur but go at his pace letting all he discovers be digested. The characters are colourful, larger than life and at times eccentric. I loved the comparisons of the people Arthur met melt into the younger versions of themselves to a time when they knew Miriam. You won't ever look at a pensioner again without wondering what there stories are. So cosy down and read this wonderful story that will melt your heart, make you laugh and convince you to live life every day, it is never too late.
I wish to thank Netgalley and Harlequin UK for the opportunity to read and review this book.
True to its title, this is a very charming book indeed!
We meet Arthur a year into grieving for his much loved wife and see him begin to reconnect with life, his family, neighbours and even his late wife. It is a book that charts a very gentle yet unmistakable awakening and makes us as readers question our assumptions about our loved ones and our daily routines. This book made me revisit memories of my own father and childhood, and perhaps remember some things more kindly...
I really enjoyed this book, it is heartwarming and a perfect cosy read. I would recommend this, particularly if you were a fan of 'A Man called Ove.'
Many thanks to Netgalley for the chance to read this book as an ARC.
This book follows the story of Arthur Pepper who on the anniversary of his wife's death he decides to clear out her things for charity. Finding a gold charm bracelet in an old boot he begins a journey taking him to London, Paris and India on a life changing adventure.
This is a beautiful story that I enjoyed spending a Sunday reading. Arthur is such a great character and the book is very well written introducing enough characters to add depth to the story whilst not detracting from Arthur's purpose. It's a wonderful concept and a book that I would happily recommend to others.
I really look forward to reading more of this author's work. Thank you Phaedra Patrick, Harlequin and NetGalley for the chance to review this book.
Arthur's World! A voyage of self discovery whilst in pursuit of the solution to a number of mysterious charms, a little like Sophie's World. Charming, funny and poignant.
This is a beautifully moving book. Some wonderful laugh out loud moments (I received some strange looks when I burst out laughing on the bus!) and lots of moments which really made me think. It's a book which will stay with me for a long time. I miss reading about Arthur, by the end I was wishing I could invite him round for a cup of tea! I'm giving this book a fab 5 stars.
I absolutely loved this novel and found it incredibly moving. Following Arthur's journey was emotional as he starts to question everything in his life and wonders if his memories of his wife are accurate and if the secrets she kept change how he remembers their life together.
This is one of a few novels I've read recently that deal with memory and look at how we deal with memories and how they shape us. It made me think a lot about how important it is to look at our own experiences and appreciate them for what they were, and who they made us become, without second guessing what the intentions of others are. I found Arthur's questions about his marriage heartbreaking and felt deeply for him on his search for purpose.
A novel full of hope and life and one that will stay with me for a long time.
What a wonderful heartwarming yet quirky read this was. I adored how it took Arthur on new adventures. Its a book full of hopes, hugs and wonderful fuzzyness.
The Curious Charms of Arthur Pepper is a feel good novel and has great appeal. After forty years of marriage, and one year after his beloved wife, Miriam's, death, Arthur Pepper is still grieving. His day to day existence remains the same as it always has done until, going through his wife's possessions, he finds a gold charm bracelet that he never saw her wear. He begins to wonder how well he knew his wife.
A voyage of discovery ensues as 69 year old Arthur traces the origins of each of the charms on the bracelet and learns many things about Miriam, their life together and, ultimately, himself. While some of his journey stretches credulity, the book is written in such a warm manner that this doesn't matter. The reader goes along with Arthur hoping all will end well.
Many thanks to Netgalley and Harlequin UK/Mira UK for giving me the opportunity to read and review this moving story.