I like “found family” stories. So what happened here for me: I think maybe Lucille. Her romance with Frank seems off, particularly the scene with Frank’s daughter at the hospital. Odd that the daughter shows no curiosity about Lucille and that’s that for that storyline. And for Lucille to move - basically unwanted - from her house into the house next door. That “found family” grouping could have coexisted just as happily with Lucille living next door - in her own house, I repeat - while Arthur and Maddy and Lucille bonded.
I had to fill in the gaps here and imagine a longer novel, where it becomes clear that Lucille can’t no longer manage home ownership. There’s a glimpse of that when Maddy comes over to clean. Yes, the disaster in the house is supposed to be grief-related, but still, it’s pretty extreme.
I didn’t want Lucille to move in with Arthur and Maddy for selfish reasons – she was annoying and I preferred her off-screen. That’s a compliment to the writing, not a criticism. I think Berg was gently reminding us that everyone has value and something to contribute, even the most irritating among us. Kudos to Arthur and Maddy for handling Lucille’s quirks with aplomb.
The daughter was an awkward inclusion in the book, seemed like a dangling thread. I suppose it would have been weird to have Frank at the hospital with no family at all, but if the daughter had welcomed Lucille, that would eliminate the plot point where Lucille is isolated in her grief – a necessary pre-cursor to moving in with Arthur and Maddy. (I might be overthinking things; I’ve had a lot of coffee this morning. )
Still trying to figure out why this one slid into the just okay range for me, and maybe it has something to do with its dissonance between life for Maddie et al and its fairytale markings. A bullied girl, pregnant but still a virgin, the sex scene, distant father but no physical abuse, skips classes/school except she’s a talented photographer, one teacher who recognizes her hidden talents and nurtures her to the extent of bringing her into his home after she’s run away and helping her secure a scholarship that includes her baby and room and board. Too much between one (sex scene) vs. the other (virgin) … school issues vs phenomenal support from a teacher. The jump between life and fairytale (umm, need I say Lucille again) rings too untrue. Just for the record, I can see her teacher doing what he can to help but bringing the pregnant girl into his home (yes, he had a wife) seems a bit like Arthur bringing Lucille into his. As @jollymama said: “I always sensed the author’s presence, manipulating her characters like chess pieces toward a satisfying ending.”
Actually, the teacher offering temporary shelter didn’t seem as far-fetched to me as the college he helped get her into:
"But Mr. Lyons, he helped me apply to an art college that has a special dorm for single mothers! You get a roommate who’s a single mother, too, and you live in a four-bedroom suite, everybody gets their own bedroom! He’s pretty sure I’ll get in and will even get a scholarship because of…Well, I write poetry and I take photographs. He sent some of my stuff to the school, and he says my chances of getting in are excellent!” (p. 117)
Does such a place really exist? I hope so, but I fear not. And this was all set up before Maddy got her windfall from Arthur, so I’m confused about who was going to be watching the baby while she went to school.
Says Maddy:
“He wants no part of this baby. Or me. Which is fine, because I want no part of him. The social worker fixed it so he has no legal claim on the baby, not that he wanted one."
My daughter is a social worker and all I can say is … LOL.
So yes, when you pick the novel apart, there is much that is absurd and impossible. But this isn’t a story that’s meant to be dissected, any more than you would wonder how Cinderella managed to dance without breaking her glass slippers. I had to keep telling myself to just swallow it whole and appreciate the themes, which are valid and important: Forgiveness, commitment, redemption, acceptance, love thy neighbor.
Thanks @BunsenBurner for finding that educational program.
I love their statement, blindingly bright futures !
“ Your transformation starts today
While Mount Mary students come from a wide variety of backgrounds, they all have one thing in common: a blindingly bright future. We invite you to get to know us a little better.
Simply put, we’re a close-knit community with small classes and big ideas. It’s all about the personal touch and genuine support from faculty, staff and your fellow students. The excitement and energy is contagious.
We can’t wait to make a difference in your life…and see what a difference you’ll make in the lives of others.”
@Marilyn , I also read The Garden of Small Beginnings after our last discussion. Enjoyed it and it sounds like I should take a look at some of her other books
@Mary13 - My daughter is a social worker and all I can say is … LOL.
I LOLed in my head when I read -
“The social worker fixed it so he has no legal claim on the baby, not that he wanted one.”
Anderson not participating would be part of the fairy tale. He definitely came across as a needy manboy who would show up and make it all about him whenever he didn’t have another woman on his arm.
Another thing that completes the fairy tale is both Arthur and Lucille always wanted children and never had any, until Maddy came along.
“ Since 1869, the Wilson College mission has been the education and development of our students in a collaborative, student-focused environment. Our Single Parent Scholar Program is a contemporary expression of our mission, addressing the needs of single parents today.
The program provides family-friendly, on-campus housing year-round to single parents and their children (between 20 months and 10 years of age) so the parent can pursue a bachelor’s degree full time.
Parents in the program are full participants in campus life, including such activities as student government, athletics, clubs and organizations. Within the SPS Program itself, enrichment and development activities.”
It would require an attorney and a court to extinguish all claims by Anderson if one wanted to be sure. As there was no DNA testing it may be harder for him to make a claim, but one never knows.
Just has to include this, in the spirit of college confidential, and the focus on college ratings! Here’s the category, best colleges for single parent programs.
I kept having to say to myself 75% of the colleges in the USA accept everyone who applies. Something that was said at College Night many moons ago at my kids’ highschool by the head counselor. Photography isn’t an easy profession.
I did enjoy reading the book more than it sounds like in my review.
And the serendipity of life, good and bad. @Mary13’s comment pretty much sums up my reaction to the book. A quick-read fable. With a lot going on this month–ill father issues, trip to visit family, 50th high school reunion!–I appreciated the easy read, but that’s about it.
I did like two other things:
One–to Mary’s question #6 , the friendship between Arthur and Maddy across age and experience. I have a few friendships like that; sometimes you just click with people!
Two: Arthur’s visits to Nola’s grave. My late husband is buried very near my house and I visit his grave, too. Not for lunch or every day, no lengthy conversations, but Arthur’s much older. I could understand him. And I also read the other headstones and wonder about the people buried nearby, though not with Arthur’s detail!
What bothered me was the lack of broader community. Maddy had NO friends? Even quirky, solitary, bullied kids usually have somebody they talk to, sometimes. Arthur and Lucille seem to have lived on that street for a long time, and Arthur walks there regularly–don’t they have any other neighbors to talk to? Lucille was a teacher (was that in the same town?)–usually teachers in a community are very connected, but we don’t see that. Maddy’s father had no family? Did Truluv? With a few exceptions–Maddy’s teacher, Anderson, Frank and his sister–these main characters seemed to exist all alone in this community, only magically connecting with each other.
This is the question #6 that @buenavista referred to:
6.Maddy and Arthur have many differences, the biggest of which is their difference in age. When they first get to know each other, there is a funny scene that highlights this, in which Maddy tries to get Arthur to use a curse word. Do you think differences in a friendship are an advantage or a disadvantage? Can you think of an example where this is true in other works of literature or in your own life?
Not a work of literature, but when I read this question I could only think of how much I enjoy the old-young relationship in “Only Murders in the Building.”
One of my closest friends, Seetha, was 15 years older than I am. She grew up Hindu in India. She had a Ph.d in Physics (just to let you know she was light years smarter than I am.) I grew up Catholic in the U.S., Texas to be exact. For what it’s worth, we had more in common than you’d think considering our backgrounds.
Seetha passed away last year on March 15. I think of her every day. Seetha, her husband, son, and daughter told me I was the best friend she ever had. I was honored to be included at her cremation with her husband, son, daughter, and their spouses. (I didn’t know you could do that actually.)
I just had a feeling, as I read, that Arthur’s life would end. I also knew before the book makes it clear that he would leave everything to Maddy.
My month was also busy like @buenavista 's, so this may be why I enjoyed the book and appreciated the quick read without too much thinking. My mother-in-law passed away in late August, my sister visited us, and then my daughter and two grandchildren came for a long-weekend visit. I had two days to read the book, which was the perfect amount of time! Yes, there are holes in the storyline (similar to the Netflix series we are watching now …LOL) but sometimes it’s fun to read a fable for the fun of it.
I’ll be ready for a deeper dive into the next one!
Yes. The lack of broader community, the friends and acquaintances one accumulates over a lifetime, bothered me as well. I kept wondering if Arthur (imagining him real for a moment) didn’t have some buddy down at the grocery store, or someone he played cards with, or maybe couples who were friends with him and Nola. Especially as he is a pleasant friendly guy!
I’m guessing the prequel that @jerseysouthmomchess mentions might clear up some of that wondering! I’m pretty sure I won’t read it, but I’d like to hear a synopsis, if anyone does!
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