The Story of Arthur Truluv

 

Shirley J.                Adult Fiction                    Teenager, Widower, Cemetery, Bossy Neighbor

The Story of Arthur Truluv: A Novel by Elizabeth Berg    272 pages    

A teenage girl named Maddy Harris goes to the cemetery everyday at lunchtime to avoid the other kids at school who just don't get her.   Elderly, Arthur Moses lost his wife six months before and has started coming to "have lunch with his wife" at her grave in the cemetery.   Maddy watches him and listens to his conversations with his wife as he unwraps his sandwich, etc.   Eventually she speaks to him and they learn they share a daily ritual visit to the cemetery.   Maddy finds it peaceful and soothing, Arthur finds it comforting and soothing.   Arthur eventually starts sharing his lunch and having conversations with Maddy.   Maddy's mother died 3 weeks after she was born and was raised by her father, who made her feel as though she was the reason her mother died.  While her Dad might offer an occasional nugget of attention if Maddy didn't go along with it or failed to meet his expectations he would get angry and lash out at her belittling her.  She grew up hating being in her father's house.   Searching for love she put her faith in an older guy who had no real feelings for her other than wanting to have sex with her now and then.   When she got pregnant he told her straight out he was not that in to her and he did not want a kid and would no support her nor the kid.   She decided to keep the baby though her father and the baby's father pushed her to have an abortion.   She refused and got away from both of them.    She nicknames Arthur,  Truluv, because he has such a true love for his dead wife, devoted to spending time with her every day even though it is at her grave.  Arthur nicknames Maddy, "Sunshine," for the joy she has brought into his simple existence.   With the baby coming and wanting to escape her father's house and the hounding of the baby daddy who, though he told her he wants nothing more to do with her nor the kid still wants her to continue having sex with him when he is in the mood.  Maddy, though she still loves the guy, was so hurt by his reaction to the baby that she knows now he is no good and wants to steer clear of him.     Maddy asks Arthur if she can keep his house clean for him in exchange for room and board?   Arthur is so fond of her that he agrees and insists that along with room and board he will also pay her a salary.  She says room and board is plenty but Arthur insists.  The story goes on with Maddy moving in, and the adventures continue from there.   A really great story of a kind hearted soul, kindred spirits and the reader will meet a cantankerous, bossy but kind neighbor lady who plays heavily into the story along with Arthur's cat, Gordon.   I loved this story.  It is the first book in the Macon Trilogy set in Macon, Missouri.   I recommend this one to high schoolers on up.