We all want good books to read – at least those of us who enjoy reading – and that’s why I write reviews to tell you about them. If you like really lovely, here’s one for you …
Arthur Pepper is an elderly gentleman who lives a highly regimented life, keeping to the same routines every day, doing everything the way he thinks his recently departed wife would like. When he finally gets around to clearing out her clothes, he is surprised to discover a charm bracelet he had never been before stuffed into the toe of an old shoe. The mystery of the bracelet, where it’s from, and when and from whom she got the charms, eats at Arthur until he rings the phone number engraved on the elephant charm. This sets in motion a series of travels where Arthur finds that the more he searches for answers, the more questions arise. He does, however, find some unexpectedly positive personal benefits from being willing to try something new. The charms on the bracelet not only take him on physical journeys but also emotional and spiritual ones and the ending brings Arthur to a very important realisation.
It’s a simple but profound story about an endearing character, and the tale of the unravelling of the bracelet’s mystery does not fall into the kind of predictability that it so easily could. The book also harkens back to the sixties and seventies which, though it’s set in the present day, gives the story a historical flavour.
It’s a well-written, engaging story that I very much enjoyed. Highly recommended.
5 stars
Unfortunately it isn’t available yet, but it’s well worth making a note of. It’s publication date is May 3rd 2016