1 of 1 copy available
“A poignant tale of love, grief, and the resiliency of the human spirit.”—Kirkus Reviews
A CHRISTIAN SCIENCE MONITOR BEST BOOK OF THE YEAR
Nola McCollum is the most desirable girl in Arthur Moses’s class, and he is thrilled when they become friends. But Arthur wants far more than friendship. Unfortunately, Nola has a crush on the wrong Moses—Arthur’s older brother, Frank, who is busy pursuing his own love interest and avoiding the boys’ father, a war veteran with a drinking problem and a penchant for starting fights. When a sudden tragedy rocks the family’s world, Arthur struggles to come to terms with his grief. In the end, it is nature that helps him to understand how to go beyond loss and create a life of forgiveness and empathy. But what can he do about Nola, who seems confused about what she wants in life and only half aware of the one who loves her most?
Full of unforgettable characters and written with Elizabeth Berg’s characteristic warmth, humor, and insight into people, Earth’s the Right Place for Love is about the power of kindness, character, and family, and how love can grow when you least expect it.
-
Creators
-
Publisher
-
Release date
March 21, 2023 -
Formats
-
OverDrive Listen audiobook
- ISBN: 9780593677636
- File size: 229445 KB
- Duration: 07:58:00
-
-
Languages
- English
-
Reviews
-
January 23, 2023
Berg revisits the protagonist of her 2017 novel The Story of Arthur Truluv with this gentle coming-of-age. In 1947 Missouri, 16-year-old Arthur Moses has a crush on Nola McCollum, but she has her eyes on Arthur’s older brother, Frank, a high school senior. Frank, though, has been secretly dating the new, young English teacher Mary Anker. He also bears the brunt of their father, Eugene’s rages, sparked partly by Eugene’s frustration over his declining milk delivery business. Taking advice from Frank, Arthur works up the nerve to ask Nola to the movies, only to have their date called off when a tornado rips through town. More complications, including another boy swooping in to take credit for Arthur’s gift of flowers, stymie him further. Frank, meanwhile, learns Mary is pregnant, upending his hopes of becoming a writer. The stakes generally feel pretty low—Berg homes in on the family’s everyday moments, as Arthur picks up wisdom from older neighbors and Eugene lands a new job—so when a freak accident involving Frank arrives, it feels a bit jarring. Still, Berg does a nice job tending to the slow-burn romance between Arthur and Nola, which readers of the earlier book know will lead to a lifelong marriage. The author’s fans ought to be satisfied. Agent: Suzanne Guck, WME. -
Elizabeth Berg is a charming storyteller, both as author and narrator, in this prequel to THE STORY OF ARTHUR TRULUV. Het soothing, comfortable narration suits this sweet tale about 16-year-old Arthur's coming of age in small-town Missouri in 1947. She portrays Arthur's youthful na�vet�, as well as his earnest commitment to patiently pursuing his pretty classmate, Nola. Arthur and his older brother, Frank, exchange secrets and advice during their nighttime conversations in their shared room. When unspeakable tragedy strikes, Arthur finds comfort and advice from empathetic adults in town. Berg delightfully voices the curmudgeonly widow and the beautiful gardener for whom Arthur does weekend chores. Listeners will root for Nola to come to see Arthur the same way they do. N.M.C. © AudioFile 2023, Portland, Maine -
June 10, 2024
Berg's prequel to The Story of Arthur Truluv focuses on Arthur Moses as a young adult. Unlike his high school peers, Arthur is interested in nature but not sports and wants to live in his hometown of Mason, MS, forever. Kind, respectful, and interested in others, he looks to his older brother Frank for advice, especially about girls. Arthur falls in love with Nola McCollum, but she sees him only as a friend. Supported by the neighborhood adults, he bides his time and tries to be the best friend he can be. When tragedy strikes the Truluv family, however, his life is changed forever. Set in the post-World War II era, Berg's novel paints a picture of a simpler time in an idyllic little town where neighbors know and help each other. The setting allows plenty of commentary about the nature of love, relationships, and mortality. Berg provides a wonderfully warm reading of her work, perfectly injecting emphases and pauses to bring out the story's poignancy. VERDICT Although this story can stand on its own, Berg's many fans will enjoy learning about the backstory of her popular character Arthur Moses. Recommend to readers of coming-of-age stories and fans of Anne Tyler and Ann Hood.--Joanna M. Burkhardt
Copyright 2024 Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.
-