A hauntingly beautiful story of love, loneliness and self-discovery

  • Book: The Curious Charms Of Arthur Pepper
  • Location: England, Paris
  • Author: Phaedra Patrick

Review Author: John Gass

Location

Content

First of all, I want to thank Phaedra Patrick for writing such a wonderful book and, Mira, the publisher, for letting me have an advance copy.

I try to pick the books I read carefully, and I’m so glad that this one caught my attention. I have a short list of authors I think of as being ‘emotionally intelligent’ writers and I’ve just added Phaedra Patrick to this select group, which includes such luminaries as Maggie O’Farrell and Patrick Gale.

The book is a gentle, but deep and truly insightful, exposition on relationships. It shines a penetrating light on questions such as the size each of us chooses for our lives, and whether we can muster the confidence to dare. I’ve got a favourite quote, taken from ‘Instances of the Number 3’, written by Salley Vickers; another of my short-listed emotionally intelligent authors:

“Did the living merely ‘act’ reality? But in life there was no clear, tangible ‘reality’, only choices, and as you chose you closed your own version of reality round you, like a garment, until it fitted and became your particular fate [..] And then that also became the fate of those near you.”

The Curious Charms is, at its root, a book which examines the life of Arthur Pepper and those around him, exploring, discovering and laying bare all the truths and subtleties contained in that quote. It’s the universal story of the heartache of missed opportunities but, ultimately, it’s also a coming of age story, reminding us that everything which was possible is still possible, regardless of age.

The writing is wonderful; beautifully crafted and very readable, encompassing delightfully constructed ‘curlicues’ – delicate curls and twists – such as the men’s group Arthur attends being called ‘Men in Caves’; Arthur having lived his life in a metaphorical cave.

Perhaps every novel is ultimately the telling of a voyage, but this book stands out – this isn’t any old voyage, this is the Grand Tour. It’s a book I’ll want to re-read, and I’ll definitely be recommending it to my local book group – and anyone else who will listen! I really hope Phaedra doesn’t keep us waiting too long for her next literary treat.

To close, here’s another quote which this book reminded me of. It’s from ‘Mr. Golightly’s Holiday’, again by Salley Vickers:

“… and those we see truly, we love – and for all time.”

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