Everand Logo

Welcome to Everand!

  • Discover millions of ebooks, audiobooks, and so much more with a free trial

    Only $11.99/month after trial. Cancel anytime.

    The Story of Arthur Truluv
    The Story of Arthur Truluv
    The Story of Arthur Truluv
    Audiobook6 hours

    The Story of Arthur Truluv

    Written by Elizabeth Berg

    Narrated by Elizabeth Berg

    4/5

    ()

    About this audiobook

    From New York Times bestselling author Elizabeth Berg comes a wise and emotionally powerful novel about three people who’ve lost the ones they love most, only to find second chances where they least expect them.

    For the past six months, Arthur Moses’s days have looked the same: He tends to his rose garden and to Gordon, his cat, then rides the bus to the cemetery to visit his beloved late wife for lunch. The last thing Arthur would imagine is for one unlikely encounter to utterly transform his life.

    Eighteen-year-old Maddy Harris is an introspective girl who visits the cemetery to escape the other kids at school. One afternoon she joins Arthur—a gesture that begins a surprising friendship between two lonely souls. Moved by Arthur’s kindness and devotion, Maddy gives him the nickname “Truluv.” As Arthur’s neighbor Lucille moves into their orbit, the unlikely trio band together and, through heartache and hardships, help one another rediscover their own potential to start anew.

    Wonderfully written and full of profound observations about life, The Story of Arthur Truluv is a beautiful and moving novel of compassion in the face of loss, of the small acts that turn friends into family, and of the possibilities to achieve happiness at any age.
    LanguageEnglish
    PublisherRecorded Books, Inc.
    Release dateNov 21, 2017
    ISBN9781501955716
    The Story of Arthur Truluv
    Author

    Elizabeth Berg

    Elizabeth Berg is the award-winning author of more than twenty-five books, including the New York Times bestsellers True to Form, Never Change, Open House, The Story of Arthur Truluv, Night of Miracles, and The Confession Club. She lives outside of Chicago. Find out more at Elizabeth-Berg.net.

    More audiobooks from Elizabeth Berg

    Related to The Story of Arthur Truluv

    Titles in the series (3)

    View More
    View More

    Related audiobooks

    Contemporary Women's For You

    View More
    View More

    Related podcast episodes

    Related articles

    • Article

      'The Heart's Invisible Furies' Is the Funny, Touching Story of an Irish Everyman

      Sep 1, 2017

      Boyne's new novel follows its protagonist throughout the decades, from birth in 1945 to age 70, and the story encompasses a great deal of history.

      3 min read

    • Article

      Romantic Entanglements Bring Humor And Heartache To Small Town

      Jun 21, 2021

      Katherine Heiny’s novel transplants readers to Boyne City, Michigan, through the keen eyes of the town’s new schoolteacher.

      3 min read

    • Article

      'Wellness' Is A Perfect Novel For Our Age, Its Profound Sadness Tempered With Humor

      Sep 20, 2023

      Nathan Hill's stunning new novel about the stories we tell about our lives and our loves, and how we sustain relationships throughout time, is both funny and heartbreaking, sometimes on the same page.

      3 min read

    • Article

      Red Kite Grey Shadow

      Nov 3, 2022

      Red Kite Grey Shadow
      6 min read

    • Article

      We All Have Our Stories

      Mar 1, 2021

      We All Have Our Stories
      14 min read

    • Article

      Summer Reading Guide

      Jan 2, 2022

      Summer Reading Guide
      6 min read

    • Article

      Dolly’s Star Turn

      Jul 12, 2023

      Dolly’s Star Turn
      7 min read

    • Article

      Run, Baby, Run!

      Sep 25, 2023

      Run, Baby, Run!
      7 min read

    • Article

      Milla’s Dandelion

      Sep 10, 2022

      The sun blinded Alchemilla as she entered the meadow. It was hidden deep in the forest, too deep for anyone to venture in without a reason. She didn’t mind the isolation, and if anything, it made her work easier. After her eyes adjusted, she took off

      12 min read

    • Article

      Dolly’s Star Turn

      Jul 12, 2023

      Dolly’s Star Turn
      7 min read

    • Article

      Dolly’s Star Turn

      Aug 9, 2023

      Dolly’s Star Turn
      7 min read

    • Article

      Concerning The Future Of Souls

      Mar 19, 2024

      As a toddler she had caused a sensation in her family when she announced she wanted to live in a little hole like the ant. Not an ant, the ant. This might have been misheard. She was an easygoing child, not particularly thoughtful and stubbornly inar

      13 min read

    • Article

      The Silence of Witches

      Dec 10, 2019

      The Silence of Witches
      6 min read

    • Article

      Are You Lonesome Tonight?

      Aug 8, 2019

      Are You Lonesome Tonight?
      6 min read

    • Article

      Losing My Rock

      Jun 19, 2019

      Losing My Rock
      5 min read

    • Article

      A Lost Prayer

      Feb 2, 2023

      A Lost Prayer
      10 min read

    • Article

      Love And The LAND GIRL

      May 26, 2021

      Love And The LAND GIRL
      9 min read

    • Article

      Star

      Aug 18, 2021

      Star
      13 min read

    • Article

      The Family Plot

      May 7, 2020

      The Family Plot
      10 min read

    • Article

      Winds Of Change

      Dec 10, 2019

      “Till the end of the pitted and dusty lane, she was a dry, brown leaf swiftly floating down a clear stream. Part of it was easy, the part about being brown. ‘Brown as mud and common as mud,’ Aaji would scream every morning waking her up. The rest of

      9 min read

    Related categories

    Reviews for The Story of Arthur Truluv

    4/5

    455 ratings58 reviews

    What did you think?

    Tap to rate

    Review must be at least 10 words

    • 5/5
      Excellent story about a lonely young girl becoming friends with a delightful elderly gentleman. I enjoyed seeing Maddie transform from a girl with low self-esteem into a confident young lady.
    • 1/5
      It sounded promising but about 15 seconds into the second chapter it suddenly said it was finished and there was no more.
    • 5/5
      It was just a sweet book that warmed the heart.
    • 5/5
      This was a sweet tale, well told. The reader is reminded of what truly matters in a person’s life.
    • 5/5
      Exactly what I needed! 10 stars! A story about love. It’s not a romance, it’s a story about relationships. I chuckled out loud many times. I got teary-eyed… sometimes from sadness, sometimes from joy, sometimes it was just my heartstrings being pulled.
      I loved the narration, read by the author!
      Elizabeth Berg you are a shining star! Thank you so very very much!
      (too many exclamation marks?) lol
    • 5/5
      Very sweet story. Reminded me of “The Secret Life of Bees.” Very good telling of interpersonal relationships of strangers.
    • 5/5
      The story was wonderful and provided a lot to think about. I really think it would have been better without the little bit of descriptive sexual content. And I know the bad language was part of the story but it felt harsh.
    • 5/5
      A beautiful story of love and chosen versus biological family.
    • 5/5
      I liked this. I cared about the characters and loved Arthur’s attitude about life and people.
    • 5/5
      Loved the way love, loss, and grief were woven into this story.
    • 4/5
      Touching story of a man in his eighties grieving for his recently deceased wife, a bullied teen with family issues, and a woman in her eighties reconnecting with her first love. Each has suffered a loss. The three form an endearing friendship. It also includes a cat acting very cat-like. The book is about grief, loneliness, love, hope, and how people can find comfort in unlikely places. It is a refreshing look at the value of older people in society and how they are often overlooked. It tends to veer toward the maudlin at times and there are a few improbable plot points, but overall it is an uplifting story that shows how a little kindness can make a big difference.
    • 4/5
      Read this sweet, funny and heart-warming book in one setting. An 85-year old widowed man named Arthur meets a 18 year old girl named Maddy in the cemetery one day and a unique friendship is born.Arthur's next door neighbor, a bossy widowed woman named Lucille enters the picture and these three become a family of sorts. They bring happiness and fulfillment into each other lives. for fans of "A Man Called Ove." loved it. pulled all the heart strings.
    • 4/5
      A sweet book that reminds us of how life can be between age groups.
    • 3/5
      I read this for my book club, I was the one who suggested it because it sounded so delightful and loving and with the pandemic still keeping people shut in we wanted something happy. Everybody loved it but me. I'm not saying I didn't like it, just that it didn't give me that happy feeling that I was looking for.I did like the story of how Arthur befriends Maddy and takes her into his home - kind of adopting her. I also liked how Arthur never wanted to hurt his neighbor's feelings but was willing to do that if he need to to protect Maddy. Arthur was a very caring man. However, the sadness that Arthur exuded because of his wife, Nola's death dragged down my feelings as well so that by the end I had tears rolling down my face. It was a well-written book, just not what I was looking for or expecting.
    • 4/5
      I read everything by Elizabeth Berg, and this book is one of my favorites. It reminds me somewhat of "A Man Called Ove", but Arthur is a much more likable old codger than Ove. He befriends a young, pregnant girl who makes her home with him. They end up taking in Arthur's neighbor, Lucille, and becoming a family. No one is perfect, but they learn to love and live with each other.
    • 4/5
      The Story of Arthur Truluv: A Novel (Book 1) by Elizabeth Berg

      Fiction, library loan
      November 2017
      Ballantine Books
      240 pages
      Random House Kindle
      8/7/19-8/10/19

      Night of Miracles (Book 2) 2018 (Mason,Missouri)
      Confession Club (Book 3) 2019

      This is the story of Arthur Moses and his relatively simple and predictable life. He is 85 years old and recently widowed 6 months prior of his lovely wife, Nola. His dedication and commitment to his decreased spouse is marveled by all his neighbors. Each day day or shine he makes the journey to her gravesite by bus where he brings a chair and lunch. He lives a content life with his cat Gordon.

      Lucille Howard is his opinionated neighbor who lives alone and desperate for companionship. She retired as a 4th grade school teacher and find solace in cooking and baking. She is often able to lure Arthur over for some cookies and idle gossip.

      The story is one of family and friendship. The characters in the story find “family” amongst each other in their own way. One day while Arthur is visiting Nola he acknowledges Maddy who is an 18 year pregnant girl estranged from her father. Maddy’s mother died when she was only 2 years old and felt alone as he father never grieved the loss of his wife.

      An unlikely friendship develops between the two who learn a lot from each other and their generational gap. Muddy affectionately calls him Arthur Truluv because of his unending love for his wife. The story explores the differences in friendship both the advantages and disadvantages. Arthur’s unassuming manner helps build an unconventional “family” for those who need it.

    • 5/5
      A wonderful story with very wonderful people. We all need an Arthur living next to us so we can see what kindness and devotion really mean. I didn't want this novel to end so I could live there a little longer!
    • 4/5
      What a lovely way to start the new year. Everyone needs an Arthur Truluv in their lives. That's all.
    • 4/5
      I was looking for a light read and this was perfect. The smooth paced plot centers around a widower and his unusual friendships. It's a story of people dealing with grief and change, coming together and living life. Charming, witty and just an all around feel good novel about finding a family amongst the most unlikely of circumstances. I am looking forward to reading the next one in the series!
    • 2/5
      This book was a little like eating Cheez-its: it tastes good, but it doesn't fill you up. The characters were right out of Mayberry, and you can predict the ending by about page 3. If you want to read about true love in aging gentlemen, try The Secret Diary of Hendrik Groen, The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry, or A Man Called Ove. So if you only want a snack, go ahead and read about Arthur Truluv. Everyone needs a snack once in a while and this one won't hurt. Just don't expect it to leave you satiated.
    • 5/5
      An interval of "light reading," and I mean that in only the best, most complimentary sense. Light in the sense that THE STORY OF ARTHUR TRULUV will lift you up, will make you feel better. Something we could all use more of these days. It will make you laugh and it will make you cry, which I know sounds trite, but it was certainly true for my wife and me. We have both loved Elizabeth Berg's fiction ever since I picked up her book, TALK BEFORE SLEEP, more than twenty years ago. Since then we have probably read at least a dozen of her books, and she's written twice that many. We've loved 'em all (except maybe for THE DREAM LOVER, an unfortunate misstep into "historical literary" fiction).While I tend to put Berg's fiction into the "chick lit" category, it is definitely in the upper echelons of that too often unappreciated genre. (I like a lot of LaVyrle Spencer's stuff too.) Berg is about our age, didn't start publishing seriously until after she was forty, so she "knows" stuff. Here's a small example, from a conversation between Arthur and Lucille, both octagenarians - "Oh, Arthur, no one even SEES you when you get old except for people who knew you when you were YOUNG."Yup. Invisible. I'm 75. And Berg is 70. We get that. Been there. Maybe it's a little "writer wisdom" at work. And speaking of writers, here's something else Berg gets (me too), about the importance of "READERS." When Lucille - a retired school teacher - is feeling old and useless , Arthur reminds her that they both like to read, and -"Where would writers be without readers? Who are they going to write for? ... that's what I do. I am the audience. I am the great appreciator, that's what I do, and that's all I want to do. I worked for a lot of years. I did a lot of things for a lot of years. Now, well, here I am in the rocking chair and I don't mind it, Lucille. I don't feel useless. I feel lucky"YES! Like my rocker. Love my books. Thanks for saying it, Arthur - or Elizabeth. It's what I've felt for years. And I've been a writer. But I've been - and will be - a reader a lot longer. Let's hear it for READERS! So is ARTHUR TRULUV " light reading"? Sure. Is it "chick lit"? Of course it is. Are there some profound truths to be found here, some deep wisdom? Hell, yes. Will you find yourself chuckling and/or weeping in recognition and empathy? Absolutely.I did not want to see the end of this book, but I finished it. And now I can read it's sequel, NIGHT OF MIRACLES. Got it right here. Can't wait to tuck into it. But this one? I laughed, I cried, I LOVED this book! - Tim Bazzett, author of the memoir, BOOKLOVER
    • 5/5
      Everyone needs to know ArthurI could not put this story down. Arthur is an older man whose wife died a while ago. He is so lonely without her. He goes to have lunch with her at her graveside every single day. One day, he meets a young girl named Maddy at the cemetery. Her mother died when she was very young. Her dad has never gotten over his wife’s death and really doesn’t know what to do with Maddy.Lucille lives across the street from Arthur. The two of them are front porch pals.This beautiful story weaves all their lives together to fill in the missing gaps and make them all whole.
    • 3/5
      Treacly, predictable story about a kind old man who finds a new lease on life after a pregnant teen and a lonely woman move in with him. This "cozy" narrative is so divorced from any sort of reality that there is even a quasi-immaculate conception. Not my cup of tea, but I'm sure that the ladies in my book group will heartily approve of it.
    • 3/5
      I tried this last year, but didn't like it, but it deserved another try, and was nice. Reading the sequel now.
    • 4/5
      In the vein of A Man Called Ove and Eleanor Oliphant
    • 5/5
      The story of Arthur Moses, an elderly widow who visits his wife’s grave every day. One day he meets Maddy, a lonely teenager being raised by her widowed father. It’s a wonderful story full of hope and compassion.
    • 3/5
      I wish I could give 4 stars to this heartwarming story, but there were just a couple of very crude pages toward the beginning and those detracted from the quality of the story. I liked the quirky characters a lot - two senior citizens and a teenage girl decide to live together and they all learn about life, loss, and hope from one another's unique perspectives. I'd wholeheartedly recommend the book if I could remember the offending page numbers so you could skip them.
    • 5/5
      This is a story about love and friendship, and finding those things in a way that was unexpected.My favorite quote from the book is: "'Everybody wants to be a writer,' Arthur says. ...'But what we need are readers; right? Where would writers be without readers? Who are they gonna write for? And actors, who are they without an audience? Actors. Painters. Dancers. Comedians. Even just ordinary people doing ordinary things, what are they without an audience of some sort? See? That's what I do. I'm the audience. I am the witness. I am the great appreciater. That's what I do. That's all I want to do. I worked for a lot of years. I did a lot of things for a lot of years. Now, well...here I am in the rocking chair and I don't mind it, Lucille. I don't feel useless. I feel lucky.'"
    • 4/5
      What a lovely book! I fell in love with Arthur and his never-ending love for his wife. I loved Maddy, despite everything, and even Lucille. They are a wonderful odd family of sorts, and their story was beautiful.
    • 4/5
      A very short and sometimes overly sentimental book. I liked it and it did make me cry even though the outcome was inevitable and the author made it very clear about it while you were reading -but still.I actually thought I had more pages to go when the book ended and was very disappointed to find I didn't. I do like the fact that there is a sequel.I know that this is being compared to A Man Called Ove but I prefer to think of it as more of a combination of Fannie Flagg (I adore her writing) and Billie Letts.The sequel is quite expensive (12.99 for Kindle) for the few pages that it is (266) Night of Miracles. I so want to know what's up with Maddy and Lucille.