The Curious Charms of Arthur Pepper - January 7, 2018

[Kristie, Moderator]

We will be starting a buddy read of The Curious Charms of Arthur Pepper by Phaedra Patrick on January 7th. Everyone is welcome to join. Please mark your posts with where you are in the book and use spoiler tags as needed.



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.

[Kristie, Moderator]

Trisha and anyone else that would like to join - Are you still ready to start tomorrow? I'm looking forward to it. I may start later in the day, but I can start.

[Kristie, Moderator]

I read the beginning yesterday and it was cute. He has just found the bracelet and had the seed of the idea to go on the journey planted. So, basically the blurb. I like that it happened quickly though, so the rest of the story is unknown. We're not waiting for the blurb to start, if that makes sense.

[Kristie, Moderator]

I'm at 27% or so. Up to "The Photograph" (view spoiler)[ What was he thinking climbing over a fence?! Geez. lol. I'm sure they'll find something that lets him know what his wife was doing there. I'm guessing they'll find a picture of her and that will jog the guy's memory. (hide spoiler)]

[Kirsten]

I was going to start this yesterday, but I ended up binging on The Crown.

[Trisha]

I made it to the beginning too

Bracelet(view spoiler)[ WOW! The bracelet AND the phone call where they knew who she was - that's where I stopped!
I didn't read the blurb (for a book club IRL so I just grabbed the book lol) so I'm curious to see where this goes! (hide spoiler)]

[Kristie, Moderator]

I'm about 72% in (up to The Paint Pallet) - I'm rather enjoying this story, although I feel like (view spoiler)[ there are many convenient coincidences. I also think there are a lot of people willing to talk about very personal things to Arthur and a lot of people willing to invite a stranger to sleep in their home. I also feel that Arthur has become quite good at knowing how to express himself rather quickly. (hide spoiler)] I still think it's a cute story, I just don't think it'll be an absolute favorite of mine.

[Lynn, Moderator]

Kirsten wrote: "I was going to start this yesterday, but I ended up binging on The Crown."
I've just watched both series in 2 days ....... so bloody good!

[Kristie, Moderator]

I finished. I thought it was cute. Nothing really special and overly coincidental for my taste, but still cute enough.

[Trisha]

I'm just past Paint Pallette and just finished The Ring
(finally - my IRL book club for this one is tomorrow! lol)

I agree(view spoiler)[ I find people opening up their lives and their homes to him rather easily
but I think he's older and disarming - I think most people find him a little lost and (like with him being robbed) in need ..... (hide spoiler)]

but(view spoiler)[ I think the sister being angry and unfriendly on the phone is a realistic part too - I think not everyone would be happy to hear from him

I think their friendly ways and their reaction to him in part is also their love/affection for their memory of his wife and his plight to try to understand who she was (hide spoiler)]

Neighbor(view spoiler)[ I love the addition of the neighbor and how helpful/frustrating she is for him
I'm so glad Arthur is realizing how selfish and self-centered he has always been

I'm glad he's finally realizing how lost his daughter might be and to ask about her and to share his feelings with her
also that his neighbor may have stuff going on as well. (hide spoiler)]

[Trisha]

I'm done

I really enjoyed this one - probably more of 3.5 rating

I was okay with the coincidences because I think they broke up what could have been a very sad and depressing book. I was okay with the cute moments and the times I laughed because there were so many times when I was so sad for Arthur.

Yay! I'm so glad we read this one!