"The Curious Charms of Arthur Pepper" by Phaedra Patrick

The Curious Charms of Arthur Pepper by Phaedra Patrick
Call Number: FICTION Patrick
"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".

*ebook & audiobook on Libby
*ebook & audiobook on hoopla

Arthur's Journey: Trace Arthur Pepper's journey throughout the novel, from the discovery of his wife's charm bracelet to his adventures in uncovering the stories behind each charm. How does Arthur change and grow as he delves deeper into his late wife's past? What lessons does he learn along the way?
The Significance of Charms: Discuss the symbolism of the charm bracelet in the story. What do the charms represent, both to Miriam and to Arthur? How do they serve as catalysts for Arthur's journey of self-discovery and healing?
Themes of Grief and Loss: Explore the theme of grief as depicted in the novel. How does Arthur cope with the loss of his wife, Miriam? In what ways does his journey to learn more about her life help him come to terms with his own grief and find closure?
Interpersonal Relationships: Analyze Arthur's relationships with the various characters he encounters on his journey, including Bernadette, Nathan, and the residents of the nursing home. How do these interactions impact Arthur's personal growth and understanding of himself and others?
The Power of Memories: Reflect on the role of memories in the novel. How do memories shape Arthur's perception of his wife and their life together? How do they influence his decisions and actions as he embarks on his quest to unravel the mysteries of the past?
Redemption and Forgiveness: Discuss the theme of redemption and forgiveness in the novel, particularly in relation to characters like Arthur and Bernadette. How do they confront their past mistakes and find opportunities for healing and reconciliation?
Cultural Exploration: The novel takes readers on a journey through various settings, including India and France. How do these cultural landscapes enrich the story? In what ways do they contribute to Arthur's personal and emotional journey?
Character Development: Analyze the development of Arthur Pepper as a character. How does he evolve from a reserved and routine-oriented individual to someone more open-minded and adventurous? What pivotal moments or experiences contribute to his transformation?
The Role of Adventure: Reflect on the theme of adventure in the novel. How does Arthur's journey to uncover the truth behind the charms lead him to new experiences and perspectives? What does he ultimately gain from stepping outside of his comfort zone?
Closure and Resolution: Consider the ending of the novel and Arthur's final revelations about his wife's past. How does he find closure and peace with Miriam's memory? What lessons does he take away from his journey, and how does it shape his future?

Early Life and Education: Phaedra Patrick was born and raised in the United Kingdom. Growing up, she developed a love for storytelling and writing, which led her to pursue a career as an author.

Literary Career: Patrick began her literary career by writing short stories and essays before transitioning to full-length novels. She gained recognition with her debut novel, "The Curious Charms of Arthur Pepper" (2016), which tells the story of a widower who discovers a charm bracelet belonging to his late wife, leading him on a journey of self-discovery and adventure. The novel received widespread acclaim for its warmth, charm, and poignant exploration of grief and healing.

Following the success of her debut, Patrick continued to captivate readers with her subsequent novels, including "Rise and Shine, Benedict Stone" (2017), a heartwarming tale about a jeweler who finds renewal and love in unexpected ways, and "The Library of Lost and Found" (2019), a captivating story about a librarian who discovers a mysterious book that changes her life. Patrick's novels are known for their relatable characters, engaging storytelling, and uplifting messages of hope and resilience.

Personal Life: Phaedra Patrick resides in the United Kingdom with her husband and son. She draws inspiration from her own experiences, as well as her observations of human nature and the world around her, to craft her heartfelt and poignant stories.

Legacy: Phaedra Patrick has established herself as a talented and beloved author, celebrated for her ability to create memorable characters and heartwarming narratives that resonate with readers of all ages. Her novels have been translated into multiple languages and have earned her a devoted following around the world. Through her writing, Patrick continues to inspire and uplift audiences with her messages of love, forgiveness, and the power of human connection.

The Fellowship of Puzzlemakers by Samuel Burr
Call Number: FICTION Burr
An extraordinary, gloriously uplifting novel about the power of friendship and the puzzling ties that bind us Clayton Stumper might be in his twenties, but he dresses like your grandpa and fusses like your aunt. Abandoned at birth on the steps of the Fellowship of Puzzlemakers, he was raised by a group of eccentric enigmatologists and now finds himself among the last survivors of a fading institution. When the esteemed crossword compiler and main maternal presence in Clayton's life, Pippa Allsbrook, passes away, she bestows her final puzzle on him: a promise to reveal the mystery of his parentage and prepare him for life beyond the walls of the commune. So begins Clay's quest to uncover the secrets surrounding his birth, secrets that will change Clay--and the Fellowship--forever. The Fellowship of Puzzlemakers is pure joy, a story about love and family and what it means to find your people--no matter what age you are.
This Is Your Life, Harriet Chance! by Jonathan Evison
Call Number: FICTION Evison
With Bernard, her husband of fifty-five years, now in the grave, seventy-eight-year-old Harriet Chance impulsively sets sail on an ill-conceived Alaskan cruise that her late husband had planned. But what she hoped would be a voyage leading to a new lease on life becomes a surprising and revelatory journey into Harriet's past. There, amid the overwhelming buffets and the incessant lounge singers, between the imagined appearances of her late husband and the very real arrival of her estranged daughter midway through the cruise, Harriet is forced to take a long look back, confronting the truth about pivotal events that changed the course of her life. And in the process she discovers that she's been living the better part of that life under entirely false assumptions. In This Is Your Life, Harriet Chance! Jonathan Evison has crafted a bighearted novel with an endearing heroine at the helm. Through Harriet, he paints a bittersweet portrait of a postmodern everywoman, her story told with great warmth, humanity, and humor. Part dysfunctional love story, part poignant exploration of the mother-daughter relationship, nothing is what it seems in this tale of acceptance, reexamination, and forgiveness.
The Little Paris Bookshop by Nina George
Call Number: FICTION George
"Monsieur Perdu calls himself a literary apothecary. From his floating bookstore in a barge on the Seine, he prescribes novels for the hardships of life. Using his intuitive feel for the exact book a reader needs, Perdu mends broken hearts and souls. The only person he can't seem to heal through literature is himself; he's still haunted by heartbreak after his great love disappeared".

*ebook & audiobook on Libby
Standard Deviation by Katherine Heiny
Call Number: FICTION Heiny
When Graham Cavanaugh divorced his first wife it was to marry his girlfriend, Audra, a woman as irrepressible as she is spontaneous and fun. But, Graham learns, life with Audra can also be exhausting, constantly interrupted by chatty phone calls, picky-eater houseguests, and invitations to weddings of people he's never met. Audra firmly believes that through the sheer force of her personality she can overcome the most socially challenging interactions, shepherding her son through awkward playdates and origami club, and even deciding to establish a friendship with Graham's first wife, Elspeth. Graham isn't sure he understands why Audra longs to be friends with the woman he divorced. After all, former spouses are hard to categorize--are they enemies, old flames, or just people you know really, really well? And as Graham and Audra share dinners, holidays, and late glasses of wine with his first wife he starts to wonder: How can anyone love two such different women? Did I make the right choice? Is there a right choice? A hilarious and rueful debut novel of love, marriage, infidelity, and origami, Standard Deviation never deviates from the superb.
The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry by Rachel Joyce
Call Number: FICTION Joyce
Meet Harold Fry, recently retired. He lives in a small English village with his wife, Maureen, who seems irritated by almost everything he does, even down to how he butters his toast. Little differentiates one day from the next. Then one morning the mail arrives, and within the stack of quotidian minutiae is a letter addressed to Harold in a shaky scrawl from a woman he hasn't seen or heard from in twenty years. Queenie Hennessy is in hospice and is writing to say goodbye. Harold pens a quick reply and, leaving Maureen to her chores, heads to the corner mailbox. But then, as happens in the very best works of fiction, Harold has a chance encounter, one that convinces him that he absolutely must deliver his message to Queenie in person. And thus begins the unlikely pilgrimage at the heart of Rachel Joyce's remarkable debut. Harold Fry is determined to walk six hundred miles from Kingsbridge to the hospice in Berwick-upon-Tweed because, he believes, as long as he walks, Queenie Hennessey will live. Still in his yachting shoes and light coat, Harold embarks on his urgent quest across the countryside. Along the way he meets one fascinating character after another, each of whom unlocks his long-dormant spirit and sense of promise. Memories of his first dance with Maureen, his wedding day, his joy in fatherhood, come rushing back to him--allowing him to also reconcile the losses and the regrets. As for Maureen, she finds herself missing Harold for the first time in years. And then there is the unfinished business with Queenie Hennessy. A novel of unsentimental charm, humor, and profound insight into the thoughts and feelings we all bury deep within our hearts, The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry introduces Rachel Joyce as a wise--and utterly irresistible--storyteller.
The Brilliant Life of Eudora Honeysett by Annie Lyons
Call Number: FICTION Lyons
Eudora Honeysett is done with this noisy, moronic world--all of it. She has witnessed the indignities and suffering of old age and has lived a full life. At eighty-five, she isn't going to leave things to chance. Her end will be on her terms. With one call to a clinic in Switzerland, a plan is set in motion. Then she meets ten-year-old Rose Trewidney, a whirling, pint-sized rainbow of sparkling cheer. All Eudora wants is to be left alone to set her affairs in order. Instead, she finds herself embarking on a series of adventures with the irrepressible Rose and their affable neighbor, the recently widowed Stanley--afternoon tea, shopping sprees, trips to the beach, birthday celebrations, pizza parties. While the trio of unlikely BFFs grow closer and anxiously await the arrival of Rose's new baby sister, Eudora is reminded of her own childhood--of losing her father during World War II and the devastating impact it had on her entire family. In reflecting on her past, Eudora realizes she must come to terms with what lies ahead. But now that her joy for life has been rekindled, how can she possibly say goodbye?

Islington Branch Book Club - Past Titles: "The Curious Charms of Arthur Pepper" by Phaedra Patrick

"The Curious Charms of Arthur Pepper" by Phaedra Patrick

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