Earth's the Right Place for Love
A Novel
-
- $12.99
-
- $12.99
Publisher Description
This beautiful novel by the beloved author of Open House and Talk Before Sleep tells the story of two young people growing up in Mason, Missouri, and how Arthur Moses, a shy young man, becomes the wise and compassionate person readers loved in The Story of Arthur Truluv.
“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.
PUBLISHERS WEEKLY
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.
Customer Reviews
Another Berg transport…
A lovely, quiet story. A respite from our ever disquieting world. I enjoyed it in one gulp.
Loved every sweet word!
Loved the characters, the setting, the story. And the title fits perfectly!
Great Book Club Pick!
Earth's the Right Place for Love is the latest book on Arthur Truluv. It takes you back to when Arthur was a teenager and how he became the man he became in The Story of Arthur Truluv. Even though this book is part of a series, it could be read as stand alone as this my first book by Elizabeth Berg.
This story is from Arthur’s point of view, going back to what life was like for him starting at age 16. Arthur lives in a dysfunctional family, since his Father is always on edge and angry, which stemmed from his alcohol problem. Arthur worked odd jobs that his mother arranged for him on the weekends because the family struggled with money.
Arthur was introverted, smart, and was naive at times. He felt at 16 that people were supposed to have romantic relationships and happiness could come from these relationships, so he pursued the most popular girl at the school, Nola.
His brother Frank was outgoing, popular, and worked at a grocery store, but he was always pushing the limits. Frank ends up having secret romantic relations with his English teacher. Frank was constantly in trouble or butting heads with his father and would often confide in Arthur.
Tragedy strikes the family. How will Arthur cope and carry on in life? This book will have you crying, but will also have you laughing out loud at times. Definitely a page turner to find out Arthur’s fate.
I loved the character development and characters. It showed the dysfunctional aspects, but also the vulnerability Arthur had and how he navigated his life. The bond Arthur had with his brother and mother is what helped him to understand the world around him and helped him to have successful relationships.
This would be a good book for those who are fans of Elizabeth Strout as they have similar writing styles. This would make a good book club pick as this book would lead to many good discussions.