A Delightful Story About the Bonds Between Two Brothers and First Love
SUMMARY
Arthur Moses is a 16-year-old shy young man living with his family in Mason, Missouri, in 1947. His older brother, Frank, is his best friend, his role model, and his rock. Arthur is head over heels in love with the most popular girl in high school, Nola McCollum, who never looks his way except to ask about his brother.
During their nightly brother-to-brother talks, Arthur repeatedly asks Frank for advice on getting Nola to notice him. He tries Frank's suggestions with limited success. Frank, who wants to be a writer and move to New York, has a girl problem all his own, and when a tragedy strikes the Moses family, Arthur has no desire even to try to be happy ever again.
REVIEW
EARTH'S THE RIGHT PLACE FOR LOVE is a delightful story about the bond between two brothers and the heartbreaking agony of first love and loss. The story explores family life, friendships, grief, and the human spirit.
The writing is beautiful and is deeply reminiscent of a sentimental bygone era. The artfully-drawn characters Arthur, Frank, and Nola are the pillars of the story. Author Elizabeth Berg makes you feel their angst, sadness, and determination.
My favorite part was the description of Arthur getting up the nerve to tell Nola how he feels about her. Simply sweet and delightful, like a glass of lemonade on a hot summer day.
Berg has written over thirty novels over the past 30 years, including Open House, Talk Before Sleep, and The Story of Authur Truluv. She was born in St Paul, Minnesota, and now resides in Chicago. Before she became a writer, she was a registered nurse for ten years. That experience taught her a lot about human nature and relationships. Her novels are generally about love, loss, hope, and compassion, with a bit of humor thrown in for good measure. EARTH'S THE RIGHT PLACE FOR LOVE is the backstory of Arthur Moses, otherwise known as Arthur Truluv.
Thanks to Netgalley for an advance reading copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
"Arthur straightened his back to stand taller as she walked over to him. She was wearing a red sweater set and a plaid pleated skirt. The white on her saddle shoes was unscuffed. She did not have a comb stuck in her socks like the tough girls did. He began rehearsing in his head: Nola, we need to get something straight. Here, he would step closer and look right into her eyes. I want to tell you something."
Publisher Random House
Published March 21, 2023
Review www.bluestockingreviews.com
