Things Done and Not Done, Known and Unknown

THE CURIOUS CHARMS OF ARTHUR PEPPER
Phaedra Patrick
MIRA Books
May 3, 2016

Sixty-nine-year-old Arthur Pepper rises at the same time every morning in his home situated outside the city walls of York. He gets dressed, has a bit of breakfast and often putters around in his garden. Always a bit of a "stick in the mud", Arthur has almost become a recluse in the year since the death of his beloved wife, Miriam. Its seems that Miriam was the glue that held his small family together. His son, Dan, has moved to Australia, and Arthur seldom sees his daughter, Lucy, even though she lives nearby. The family is not exactly estranged, just distant. If it were not for the ladies of the neighborhood, the "Bereavement Biddies", who have stepped up and provided food, Arthur might have just faded away. Chief among the "Biddies" are his neighbor, Bernadette, and her unprepossessing teenage son, Nathan.

Shortly before the first-year anniversary of Miriam's death, Arthur decides that the time has come to clear out Miriam's possessions. There are no great surprises until he reaches into the toe of one of Miriam's winter boots and finds a charm bracelet that he has no memory of. The charm bracelet is gold, obviously expensive, and nothing that he would ever expect his wife to possess. One charm, in particular, catches his eye; an elephant set with a small emerald. On closer inspection, the word "Ayah" and a phone number with country code are engraved on the elephant. The results of the phone call to that number send Arthur on a journey both geographical and into his memories of and beliefs about Miriam. There was much more to Miriam than Arthur ever knew or even thought to question.

The Curious Charms of Arthur Pepper is a wonderful debut novel from an author to watch. I have always thought that age is no barrier to growth and change, as long as the willingness is there. Arthur Pepper proves that theory, in a very heartfelt and human way. Thanks to Netgalley and MIRA for an advance digital copy in return for an honest review.

RATING- 4 Stars