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Mabel Beaumont #1
The Last List of Mabel Beaumont
Mabel Beaumont’s husband Arthur loved lists. He’d leave them for her everywhere. ‘ eggs, butter, sugar’. ‘I love today, tomorrow, always’. But now Arthur is gone. He softly, gently, not making a fuss. But he’s still left her a list. This one has just one item on it ‘Find D’. Mabel feels sure she knows what it means. She must track down her best friend Dot, who she hasn’t seen since the fateful day she left more than sixty years ago. It seems impossible. She doesn’t even know if Dot’s still alive. Also, every person Mabel talks to seems to need help first, with missing husbands, daughters, parents. Mabel finds her list is just getting longer, and she’s still no closer to finding Dot. What she doesn’t know is that her list isn’t just about finding her old friend. And that if she can admit the secrets of the past, maybe she could even find happiness again… A completely heartbreaking, beautiful, uplifting story, guaranteed to make you smile but also make you cry.
Perfect for fans of My Name is Ove , Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine , and The Keeper of Stories .
Perfect for fans of My Name is Ove , Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine , and The Keeper of Stories .
310 pages, ebook
First published August 4, 2023
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April 16, 2024
*4.5 stars*
“A single person is missing for you, and the whole world is empty.”
― Joan Didion, The Year of Magical Thinking
89 year old Arthur and 86 year old Mabel have been married for 62 years. Though Arthur is more outgoing, more excited by new possibilities and Mabel is the introvert, not interested in new experiences, they can take the small silences that older marriages are comfortable enough to endure.
Arthur loved to make lists and leave them for Mabel to find, from the ordinary everyday grocery items to ‘I love you today, tomorrow, always’. But now Arthur has gone, passed away in the gentle manner that was his way in life, quietly without a fuss.
The last list he left had one item on it, Find D. Mabel thinks he must have meant her old friend Dot. Although she hasn’t seen Dot for over 60 years, they were completely inseparable for many years. Dot left without so much as a goodbye and it’s bothered Mabel ever since that day.
This novel is about finding new meaning in life, whatever your age, overcoming fears that have limited the possibilities that could have been, making new friendships that on paper shouldn’t really work and it’s really touching.
The writing is simply exquisite, and captures so well the problems that come with age, not just in medical terms, but at how the passing years bring about a need to re-examine life and decisions - take life by the horns, take chances, do what the ever hell you want with it!
This is a well crafted story, with beautifully observed scenes and characters, and I found it really touching.
*Thank you to Netgalley and Boldwood Books for my ARC in exchange for an honest unbiased review *
“A single person is missing for you, and the whole world is empty.”
― Joan Didion, The Year of Magical Thinking
89 year old Arthur and 86 year old Mabel have been married for 62 years. Though Arthur is more outgoing, more excited by new possibilities and Mabel is the introvert, not interested in new experiences, they can take the small silences that older marriages are comfortable enough to endure.
Arthur loved to make lists and leave them for Mabel to find, from the ordinary everyday grocery items to ‘I love you today, tomorrow, always’. But now Arthur has gone, passed away in the gentle manner that was his way in life, quietly without a fuss.
The last list he left had one item on it, Find D. Mabel thinks he must have meant her old friend Dot. Although she hasn’t seen Dot for over 60 years, they were completely inseparable for many years. Dot left without so much as a goodbye and it’s bothered Mabel ever since that day.
This novel is about finding new meaning in life, whatever your age, overcoming fears that have limited the possibilities that could have been, making new friendships that on paper shouldn’t really work and it’s really touching.
The writing is simply exquisite, and captures so well the problems that come with age, not just in medical terms, but at how the passing years bring about a need to re-examine life and decisions - take life by the horns, take chances, do what the ever hell you want with it!
This is a well crafted story, with beautifully observed scenes and characters, and I found it really touching.
*Thank you to Netgalley and Boldwood Books for my ARC in exchange for an honest unbiased review *
August 9, 2023
At the age of eighty-six, Mabel Beaumont loses Arthur, her husband of over sixty years. Mabel is a quiet and reserved individual and her husband was the one who was relatively more outgoing and expressive and also fond of making lists. As Mabel grapples with her loss, she finds her husband’s unfinished list with an item “Find D” on it. Mabel believes Arthur meant to find Dot, once Mabel’s best friend and her deceased older brother’s love interest. After Bill’s sudden demise and Mabel’s engagement to Arthur over sixty years ago, Dot disappeared from their lives. Mabel embarks on a quest to find Dot and finds a kindly and supportive group of people who are intent to help her – Julie, the new caregiver Arthur had arranged for her; Kristy a kindly neighbor and new mother in her thirties; Patty, a dance instructor in her seventies and Erin, a sixteen-year-old girl who Mabel meets in her local grocery store. For someone who has mostly kept to herself all her adult life, Mabel finds herself increasingly involved in the lives of her new friends, adding more items to her (Arthur’s which she expands upon) list and reflecting on people and events from her past – the people she loved and lost, her regrets and secrets about herself she has never been able to share with anyone. Mabel's quest for Dot and her plans to help her friends, (though efforts don’t always produce the desired results), each of whom is struggling with personal problems, gives Mabel a sense of purpose, in turn inspiring her to approach her own life from a fresh perspective.
“I think we’re all grieving for something. Our childhoods or a relationship or a dream.”
Revolving around themes of friendship, love, kindness, hope and self-acceptance, The Last List of Mabel Beaumont by Laura Pearson is an evocative, heartwarming and thought-provoking novel that inspires reflection. The narrative is presented from Mabel’s first-person –perspective in the present with past events shared in segments interspersed throughout the novel. There is a lot to unpack in this story and I thought the author addresses several heavy topics such as bereavement and grief, childlessness, aging, loneliness and homophobia with sensitivity and compassion. The pacing is on the slower side, which suits the story. The secondary characters are well-developed and I thought the author does a wonderful job in depicting how Mabel’s friendship with each of them evolves and how the rapport within the group is developed. I enjoyed getting to know the characters and though I felt there was the opportunity to explore a few of the subplots in more depth, overall I felt the author does a commendable job of weaving the stories of these characters into a cohesive, engaging narrative. The final reveal is well-executed in keeping with the overall calm and dignified tone of the novel.
Written in elegant prose with superb characterizations and a realistic and relatable take on relationships – family, marriage, love and friendship -I found this to be a lovely story that will touch a chord in your heart.
Many thanks to Boldwood Books and NetGalley for the digital review copy of this novel. All opinions expressed in this review are my own.
“It isn’t possible, to erase the lives we’ve lived. We only have today, and whatever future we’re granted.”
Connect with me! ✏ Instagram ✏ My Blog ✏ The StoryGraph
“I think we’re all grieving for something. Our childhoods or a relationship or a dream.”
Revolving around themes of friendship, love, kindness, hope and self-acceptance, The Last List of Mabel Beaumont by Laura Pearson is an evocative, heartwarming and thought-provoking novel that inspires reflection. The narrative is presented from Mabel’s first-person –perspective in the present with past events shared in segments interspersed throughout the novel. There is a lot to unpack in this story and I thought the author addresses several heavy topics such as bereavement and grief, childlessness, aging, loneliness and homophobia with sensitivity and compassion. The pacing is on the slower side, which suits the story. The secondary characters are well-developed and I thought the author does a wonderful job in depicting how Mabel’s friendship with each of them evolves and how the rapport within the group is developed. I enjoyed getting to know the characters and though I felt there was the opportunity to explore a few of the subplots in more depth, overall I felt the author does a commendable job of weaving the stories of these characters into a cohesive, engaging narrative. The final reveal is well-executed in keeping with the overall calm and dignified tone of the novel.
Written in elegant prose with superb characterizations and a realistic and relatable take on relationships – family, marriage, love and friendship -I found this to be a lovely story that will touch a chord in your heart.
Many thanks to Boldwood Books and NetGalley for the digital review copy of this novel. All opinions expressed in this review are my own.
“It isn’t possible, to erase the lives we’ve lived. We only have today, and whatever future we’re granted.”
Connect with me! ✏ Instagram ✏ My Blog ✏ The StoryGraph
August 8, 2023
In a Nutshell: A heartwarming story about friendship and love and accepting oneself. Interesting characters, though some of them could have been benefitted with more depth and less predictability.
Story Synopsis:
Honestly, I don’t have many points to talk about because the book is true to its genre, delivering sweet and sentimental scenes with regularity, and goes only a little beyond the tried-and-tested. As the title indicates, the book isn’t about Arthur’s final list but is “The Last List of Mabel Beaumont.” The items in Mabel’s checklist form the main events of the book.
Having a geriatric lead character is quite a trend nowadays, but to read about one who is willing to step out of her comfort zone is a nice experience. Mabel is an endearing protagonist, a good mix of interfering and caring. I love how she doesn’t restrict her friendships only to women of her own age, and isn’t judgemental about the younger generation. I also appreciate how the plot never made her justify her decision of not wanting children.
At the surface level, the story seems quite easy-going. But Mabel’s life contains many secrets, and as we learn her thoughts through her own first-person perspective, we understand how her life isn’t what it seems. While her biggest secret was quite guessable to me, it was still written well.
There is a minor touch of the surreal in the book, through Mabel’s habit of seeing Arthur around the house. I simply adored their relationship. How such a long marriage results in such compatibility and comfort despite certain basic differences in marital expectations comes out wonderfully through this story.
The rapport between Mabel and her new coterie of friends is lovely. These friends come from different age groups and financial backgrounds, though I wish there had been some cultural diversity as well. Nevertheless, these women have their own baggage to handle, and these create some interesting secondary arcs in the storyline, though most of these are quite predictable.
Some parts of the book reminded me of ‘The Secret Life of Albert Entwistle’, another British novel with a geriatric lead character, and this is what made me guess the big reveal. Still, both books have their own charm and uniqueness, and both are rewarding experiences.
All in all, this is a really sweet and touching book, filled with moments of love, care and concern. I guess the only negative for me was that even in its USP, it doesn’t venture much out of its comfort zone. Still, if you want a warm and fuzzy read, this is a great book for that mood.
3.75 stars.
My thanks to Boldwood Books and NetGalley for the DRC of “The Last List of Mabel Beaumont”. This review is voluntary and contains my honest opinion about the book.
The book is available for free to Kindle Unlimited subscribers.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
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My Blog | The StoryGraph | Instagram | Facebook | Twitter
Story Synopsis:
Eighty-six-year-old Mabel has just lost Arthur, her husband of sixty-two years. He loved lists, and while she is clearing his belongings, she discovers one last list by him. This has just a single item on it: “Find D”. Mabel understands that Arthur wants her to locate Dot, her estranged best friend whom she hasn’t seen since before her wedding. Is Dot still alive? Mabel is determined to find out. Without meaning to do so, Mabel finds a new set of friends who are willing to help her on her quest. Each friend is battling their own personal issue, and Mabel’s search ends up becoming a life-changing journey for all of them.
The story comes to us in the first person perspective of Mabel.
Honestly, I don’t have many points to talk about because the book is true to its genre, delivering sweet and sentimental scenes with regularity, and goes only a little beyond the tried-and-tested. As the title indicates, the book isn’t about Arthur’s final list but is “The Last List of Mabel Beaumont.” The items in Mabel’s checklist form the main events of the book.
Having a geriatric lead character is quite a trend nowadays, but to read about one who is willing to step out of her comfort zone is a nice experience. Mabel is an endearing protagonist, a good mix of interfering and caring. I love how she doesn’t restrict her friendships only to women of her own age, and isn’t judgemental about the younger generation. I also appreciate how the plot never made her justify her decision of not wanting children.
At the surface level, the story seems quite easy-going. But Mabel’s life contains many secrets, and as we learn her thoughts through her own first-person perspective, we understand how her life isn’t what it seems. While her biggest secret was quite guessable to me, it was still written well.
There is a minor touch of the surreal in the book, through Mabel’s habit of seeing Arthur around the house. I simply adored their relationship. How such a long marriage results in such compatibility and comfort despite certain basic differences in marital expectations comes out wonderfully through this story.
The rapport between Mabel and her new coterie of friends is lovely. These friends come from different age groups and financial backgrounds, though I wish there had been some cultural diversity as well. Nevertheless, these women have their own baggage to handle, and these create some interesting secondary arcs in the storyline, though most of these are quite predictable.
Some parts of the book reminded me of ‘The Secret Life of Albert Entwistle’, another British novel with a geriatric lead character, and this is what made me guess the big reveal. Still, both books have their own charm and uniqueness, and both are rewarding experiences.
All in all, this is a really sweet and touching book, filled with moments of love, care and concern. I guess the only negative for me was that even in its USP, it doesn’t venture much out of its comfort zone. Still, if you want a warm and fuzzy read, this is a great book for that mood.
3.75 stars.
My thanks to Boldwood Books and NetGalley for the DRC of “The Last List of Mabel Beaumont”. This review is voluntary and contains my honest opinion about the book.
The book is available for free to Kindle Unlimited subscribers.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Connect with me through:
My Blog | The StoryGraph | Instagram | Facebook | Twitter
September 3, 2023
Sweet. It’s never to late to follow your heart, and to start living again.
September 9, 2023
EXCERPT: When Arthur woke, he asked what he had missed, and we told him nothing. But it wasn't quite true, I don't think. It felt like something had shifted infinitesimally, between the four of us. The truth was, and always had been, that he was the one I could have done without, the one I cared about the least. How strange he was the one I spent my life with, in the end.
ABOUT 'THE LAST LIST OF MABEL BEAUMONT': Mabel Beaumont’s husband Arthur loved lists. He’d leave them for her everywhere. ‘eggs, butter, sugar’. ‘I love today, tomorrow, always’. But now Arthur is gone. He softly, gently, not making a fuss. But he’s still left her a list. This one has just one item on it ‘Find D’. Mabel feels sure she knows what it means. She must track down her best friend Dot, who she hasn’t seen since the fateful day she left more than sixty years ago. It seems impossible. She doesn’t even know if Dot’s still alive. Also, every person Mabel talks to seems to need help first, with missing husbands, daughters, parents. Mabel finds her list is just getting longer, and she’s still no closer to finding Dot. What she doesn’t know is that her list isn’t just about finding her old friend. And that if she can admit the secrets of the past, maybe she could even find happiness again…
MY THOUGHTS: I felt sad for Mabel. To live with someone for sixty-two years with little emotional attachment on your side sounds . . . . I can't find the words! What a waste. Arthur could perhaps have found someone to love who loved him back, like he deserved. And Mabel? Well Mabel maybe could have found herself sixty-two years before she did. Actually, I feel cross with Mabel, and sad for Arthur.
Now that I have got that off my chest, we can proceed. I liked, but didn't love The Last List of Mabel Beaumont, just as I liked but didn't love Mabel herself. And the getting to like her took a while . . .
I liked the eclectic mix of characters. Other than Mabel there is Erin who works part-time at the local supermarket saving to go to university; Julie, a care worker whom Arthur had organised to look out and 'do' for Mabel before his death; Patty, a dance instructor; and Kirsty, a young mum estranged from her family. All have problems in their lives and Mabel blithely interferes without thought of the consequences.
There is nothing startling in the storyline; it's all pretty predictable. And Mabel's "secret" (What would Arthur have done if he had known? Well, sorry Mabel, but I think Arthur did know) was blindingly obvious.
There are a couple of neat little twists, and the final one concerning Arthur's note "Find D" was delightful.
Another reason I didn't warm to Mabel was Ollie, the dog. Mabel really didn't like Ollie, couldn't be bothered with him, and Ollie didn't much like her in return. I always trust a dog's instincts.
A perfectly pleasant but not memorable read.
⭐⭐⭐.4
#TheLastListofMabelBeaumont #NetGalley
I: @laurapauthor @bookandtonic
X: @LauraPAuthor @boldwoodbooks
#aging, #contemporaryfiction, #friendship, #slice-of-life
THE AUTHOR: Laura Pearson has an MA in Creative Writing from the University of Chichester. She lives in Leicestershire with her husband and their two children.
DISCLOSURE: Thank you to Boldwood Books via NetGalley for providing a digital ARC of The Last List of Mabel Beaumont by Laura Pearson for review. All opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own personal opinions.
https://sandysbookaday.wordpress.com/...
ABOUT 'THE LAST LIST OF MABEL BEAUMONT': Mabel Beaumont’s husband Arthur loved lists. He’d leave them for her everywhere. ‘eggs, butter, sugar’. ‘I love today, tomorrow, always’. But now Arthur is gone. He softly, gently, not making a fuss. But he’s still left her a list. This one has just one item on it ‘Find D’. Mabel feels sure she knows what it means. She must track down her best friend Dot, who she hasn’t seen since the fateful day she left more than sixty years ago. It seems impossible. She doesn’t even know if Dot’s still alive. Also, every person Mabel talks to seems to need help first, with missing husbands, daughters, parents. Mabel finds her list is just getting longer, and she’s still no closer to finding Dot. What she doesn’t know is that her list isn’t just about finding her old friend. And that if she can admit the secrets of the past, maybe she could even find happiness again…
MY THOUGHTS: I felt sad for Mabel. To live with someone for sixty-two years with little emotional attachment on your side sounds . . . . I can't find the words! What a waste. Arthur could perhaps have found someone to love who loved him back, like he deserved. And Mabel? Well Mabel maybe could have found herself sixty-two years before she did. Actually, I feel cross with Mabel, and sad for Arthur.
Now that I have got that off my chest, we can proceed. I liked, but didn't love The Last List of Mabel Beaumont, just as I liked but didn't love Mabel herself. And the getting to like her took a while . . .
I liked the eclectic mix of characters. Other than Mabel there is Erin who works part-time at the local supermarket saving to go to university; Julie, a care worker whom Arthur had organised to look out and 'do' for Mabel before his death; Patty, a dance instructor; and Kirsty, a young mum estranged from her family. All have problems in their lives and Mabel blithely interferes without thought of the consequences.
There is nothing startling in the storyline; it's all pretty predictable. And Mabel's "secret" (What would Arthur have done if he had known? Well, sorry Mabel, but I think Arthur did know) was blindingly obvious.
There are a couple of neat little twists, and the final one concerning Arthur's note "Find D" was delightful.
Another reason I didn't warm to Mabel was Ollie, the dog. Mabel really didn't like Ollie, couldn't be bothered with him, and Ollie didn't much like her in return. I always trust a dog's instincts.
A perfectly pleasant but not memorable read.
⭐⭐⭐.4
#TheLastListofMabelBeaumont #NetGalley
I: @laurapauthor @bookandtonic
X: @LauraPAuthor @boldwoodbooks
#aging, #contemporaryfiction, #friendship, #slice-of-life
THE AUTHOR: Laura Pearson has an MA in Creative Writing from the University of Chichester. She lives in Leicestershire with her husband and their two children.
DISCLOSURE: Thank you to Boldwood Books via NetGalley for providing a digital ARC of The Last List of Mabel Beaumont by Laura Pearson for review. All opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own personal opinions.
https://sandysbookaday.wordpress.com/...
August 28, 2023
Mabel Beaumont’s husband Arthur loved lists….and he loved her.
And, on the morning when Arthur doesn’t wake up, she finds his last list : Find D
She feels certain that she knows what it means-that she should track down her childhood friend Dot, who she has missed since the day that she left 60 years ago-without even saying goodbye…
But IS that what he meant?
He also knows that his reclusive wife may need a little help transitioning to a life without him in it-even if she has never loved him quite the same way that he has loved her.
Enter Julie.
And, Patricia, Kirsty and Erin.
And, a list of tasks that grow with each passing day.
This is a melancholy tale about living the life that was expected of you, instead of the one you want, but it’s also about the ways in which the saying “When One Door Closes, Another Door Opens” is absolutely true.
VERY reminiscent of “A Man Called Ove” at times, it’s a book to pick up if you love stories about friendship, and books which are full of characters that you love to spend time with, and hate to say goodbye to.
And, it’s AVAILABLE now.
A buddy read with Susan and DeAnn. Be sure to watch for their amazing reviews for additional insight! 💖
And, on the morning when Arthur doesn’t wake up, she finds his last list : Find D
She feels certain that she knows what it means-that she should track down her childhood friend Dot, who she has missed since the day that she left 60 years ago-without even saying goodbye…
But IS that what he meant?
He also knows that his reclusive wife may need a little help transitioning to a life without him in it-even if she has never loved him quite the same way that he has loved her.
Enter Julie.
And, Patricia, Kirsty and Erin.
And, a list of tasks that grow with each passing day.
This is a melancholy tale about living the life that was expected of you, instead of the one you want, but it’s also about the ways in which the saying “When One Door Closes, Another Door Opens” is absolutely true.
VERY reminiscent of “A Man Called Ove” at times, it’s a book to pick up if you love stories about friendship, and books which are full of characters that you love to spend time with, and hate to say goodbye to.
And, it’s AVAILABLE now.
A buddy read with Susan and DeAnn. Be sure to watch for their amazing reviews for additional insight! 💖
June 28, 2023
‘Don’t it always seem to go
That you don’t know what you’ve got ‘til it’s gone’.
Joni Mitchell
Eighty six year-old Mabel and 89-year-old Arthur have been married for more than sixty years. He’s all about moving forward, trying new things and loves a list, whereas she is about quiet contemplation and reflection. The couple are the proverbial chalk and cheese. Now Arthur has suddenly gone and it’s just her and what will she do without him? The final entry on Arthur’s last list says “Find D“. Does he mean Dot, a good friend who drops off the radar who Mabel hasn’t seen for 62 years? After some understandable wallowing due to his loss, she gives herself a metaphorical shake and makes a list of her own, five things which includes “find D“. Though this task seems impossible with the help of new found friends, Mabel is determined to try.
Fabulous, fabulous, fabulous. This is a sensitive, lovely, beautifully written character driven novel, which is sad, poignant, reflective, thoughtful, thought-provoking, funny, and very uplifting. What a wonderful combination of ingredients which encompasses marriage, ageing, love, grief, loss, friendship especially across the age divide but most of all, it’s about courage. How refreshing to read a book that is packed with a fantastic cast of characters, who are so easy to like, who really care about Mabel and vice versa, they’re very different from each other but also extremely complimentary. They support and give Mabel the freedom to find herself and to find that light that she has kept hidden for many years. Mabel‘s expanding list is inspired by the desire to do good and although she doesn’t always get it right, she’s going on a journey here, learning things about herself and gaining clarity. I love the elusive mystery and conundrum of Dot via which everything begins to makes sense.
I love every word of this heartwarming novel with the odd tear and some profound moments. I feel so sad the book is over as it’s one I don’t want to end and so I slow down to savour the last few wonderful moments. Quite simply, I love Mabel.
With thanks to NetGalley and especially to Boldwood Books for the much appreciated arc in return for an honest review.
That you don’t know what you’ve got ‘til it’s gone’.
Joni Mitchell
Eighty six year-old Mabel and 89-year-old Arthur have been married for more than sixty years. He’s all about moving forward, trying new things and loves a list, whereas she is about quiet contemplation and reflection. The couple are the proverbial chalk and cheese. Now Arthur has suddenly gone and it’s just her and what will she do without him? The final entry on Arthur’s last list says “Find D“. Does he mean Dot, a good friend who drops off the radar who Mabel hasn’t seen for 62 years? After some understandable wallowing due to his loss, she gives herself a metaphorical shake and makes a list of her own, five things which includes “find D“. Though this task seems impossible with the help of new found friends, Mabel is determined to try.
Fabulous, fabulous, fabulous. This is a sensitive, lovely, beautifully written character driven novel, which is sad, poignant, reflective, thoughtful, thought-provoking, funny, and very uplifting. What a wonderful combination of ingredients which encompasses marriage, ageing, love, grief, loss, friendship especially across the age divide but most of all, it’s about courage. How refreshing to read a book that is packed with a fantastic cast of characters, who are so easy to like, who really care about Mabel and vice versa, they’re very different from each other but also extremely complimentary. They support and give Mabel the freedom to find herself and to find that light that she has kept hidden for many years. Mabel‘s expanding list is inspired by the desire to do good and although she doesn’t always get it right, she’s going on a journey here, learning things about herself and gaining clarity. I love the elusive mystery and conundrum of Dot via which everything begins to makes sense.
I love every word of this heartwarming novel with the odd tear and some profound moments. I feel so sad the book is over as it’s one I don’t want to end and so I slow down to savour the last few wonderful moments. Quite simply, I love Mabel.
With thanks to NetGalley and especially to Boldwood Books for the much appreciated arc in return for an honest review.
December 9, 2023
This is a heartwarming novel with themes of aging, loss, and female friendships.
After Mabel loses her husband of 62 yrs. she finds a paper that says “find D” she believes it is Dot.. their friend that they were part of a friendship with in days of their youth.
Mabel and Arthur were a childless couple and Arthur had paid for services for a caretaker to stop by for three months if he ended up passing.
The caretaker helps her with the search for her old friend and along the way Mabel makes a few more meaningful female friends and this gets her to participate more in life. Loved their bond!
Sweet story.
4+ stars
After Mabel loses her husband of 62 yrs. she finds a paper that says “find D” she believes it is Dot.. their friend that they were part of a friendship with in days of their youth.
Mabel and Arthur were a childless couple and Arthur had paid for services for a caretaker to stop by for three months if he ended up passing.
The caretaker helps her with the search for her old friend and along the way Mabel makes a few more meaningful female friends and this gets her to participate more in life. Loved their bond!
Sweet story.
4+ stars
August 28, 2023
Postscript.
I was wonderfully surprised at the extent that I loved this book.
Near the beginning, I’d thought that it would be a sweet book about starting over after the death of a long term spouse.
However, it’s much more with alternating uplifting moments, sadness, and reflection amid beginning anew.
Unexpected turns kept the story fresh and eighty-six years young Mabel captured my heart. Very touching!
A fun buddy read with Jayme and DeAnn, I purchased a hardback copy from Blackwells in the UK.
I was wonderfully surprised at the extent that I loved this book.
Near the beginning, I’d thought that it would be a sweet book about starting over after the death of a long term spouse.
However, it’s much more with alternating uplifting moments, sadness, and reflection amid beginning anew.
Unexpected turns kept the story fresh and eighty-six years young Mabel captured my heart. Very touching!
A fun buddy read with Jayme and DeAnn, I purchased a hardback copy from Blackwells in the UK.
October 14, 2023
I couldn't stand Mabel! To spend 62 years with someone she could have cared less about. I felt horrible for Arthur who could have had a much happier life if it wasn't for this self centered depressing woman. And her life, it was all her own doing. And poor Ollie, to be left with someone like her. I also felt duped into reading an lgbtq book when I am not a supporter. I do have to give the Author her star though as she really is quite eloquent and there's something to be said for being able to bring out even a toxic personality in print.
January 7, 2026
“The price of living a long life, I think, is the sheer weight of the losses you have to suffer.”
Mabel’s husband Arthur always took care of her. So, when he has died, she isn’t sure what to do next.
“When you're young, and one of you is ill, you know it's likely nothing serious. But at this age, every symptom wields the power to terrify. We've talked, over the years, about how we'd like to go. Just like most people, I suppose. Quickly, if at all possible. With our dignity and our minds intact. But you don't get to choose, do you?”
Mabel discovers one last list from Arthur which tells her to “Find D.” In her mind this could only mean for her to find her very dearest friend Dot. The one that was supposed to marry her brother Bill who unfortunately passed away at the height of their youth. And, right after he did, Dot left Mabel’s life. Why? Was it because Mabel said she was going to marry Arthur?
“I could just sit and think, go back over my memories, have a rake through my life. Our lives. But Arthur doesn’t approve of that kind of thing, thinks it’s maudlin. Always look forward, that’s his motto. Or one of them. Me, I’m more about looking back, especially now there’s so much back and so little forward left. What’s wrong with spending your last few years in quiet contemplation? It’s too late to change the world, isn’t it?”
Through the pages we get a sense of Mabel’s past life, and Arthur’s sensibility, and care towards her.
“Who will I be without him?”
But we also sense that Mabel wasn’t as into him as he was into her. Why? What sense of life did Mabel loose of herself when Dot exited her life? Even if her life with Arthur was 62 years with no children, and he was kind and thoughtful and caring. Is there still some living left for Mabel beyond Arthur that can happen if she finds Dot?
And, will there be some people along the way that can help her to find Dot?
This story is poignant and thoughtful. It is a journey. There is love, loss, hope and the theme of enduring friendship that transcends generations. The story also showcases the complexities and societal attitudes about those relationships that aren’t quite accepted. The cast of women who came together to support each other on this journey was encouraging, highlighting the strength and resilience that can be found in community and connection.
4.5 stars
Mabel’s husband Arthur always took care of her. So, when he has died, she isn’t sure what to do next.
“When you're young, and one of you is ill, you know it's likely nothing serious. But at this age, every symptom wields the power to terrify. We've talked, over the years, about how we'd like to go. Just like most people, I suppose. Quickly, if at all possible. With our dignity and our minds intact. But you don't get to choose, do you?”
Mabel discovers one last list from Arthur which tells her to “Find D.” In her mind this could only mean for her to find her very dearest friend Dot. The one that was supposed to marry her brother Bill who unfortunately passed away at the height of their youth. And, right after he did, Dot left Mabel’s life. Why? Was it because Mabel said she was going to marry Arthur?
“I could just sit and think, go back over my memories, have a rake through my life. Our lives. But Arthur doesn’t approve of that kind of thing, thinks it’s maudlin. Always look forward, that’s his motto. Or one of them. Me, I’m more about looking back, especially now there’s so much back and so little forward left. What’s wrong with spending your last few years in quiet contemplation? It’s too late to change the world, isn’t it?”
Through the pages we get a sense of Mabel’s past life, and Arthur’s sensibility, and care towards her.
“Who will I be without him?”
But we also sense that Mabel wasn’t as into him as he was into her. Why? What sense of life did Mabel loose of herself when Dot exited her life? Even if her life with Arthur was 62 years with no children, and he was kind and thoughtful and caring. Is there still some living left for Mabel beyond Arthur that can happen if she finds Dot?
And, will there be some people along the way that can help her to find Dot?
This story is poignant and thoughtful. It is a journey. There is love, loss, hope and the theme of enduring friendship that transcends generations. The story also showcases the complexities and societal attitudes about those relationships that aren’t quite accepted. The cast of women who came together to support each other on this journey was encouraging, highlighting the strength and resilience that can be found in community and connection.
4.5 stars
August 9, 2023
I really enjoyed this one!
This is a fairly light read, although there is definitely a message underneath to leave readers considering their own lives after they've finished the book.
Mabel's husband passes away, and she finds a note from him saying 'find D', which she interprets as ''Find Dot" who is a mutual childhood friend of theirs from decades earlier, who disappeared.
Mabel ends up on a path of self-discovery, and what transpires is something I never predicted!
This was a heartfelt book and I would recommend it wholeheartedly. Readers, don't live with regret and pick up this book!
This is a fairly light read, although there is definitely a message underneath to leave readers considering their own lives after they've finished the book.
Mabel's husband passes away, and she finds a note from him saying 'find D', which she interprets as ''Find Dot" who is a mutual childhood friend of theirs from decades earlier, who disappeared.
Mabel ends up on a path of self-discovery, and what transpires is something I never predicted!
This was a heartfelt book and I would recommend it wholeheartedly. Readers, don't live with regret and pick up this book!
November 26, 2023
Disappointed
I personally dislike books where the author’s objective is to push a social message that reflects their personal values. I am sorry I wasted my time on this book. I am able to make my own decisions about my beliefs.
I personally dislike books where the author’s objective is to push a social message that reflects their personal values. I am sorry I wasted my time on this book. I am able to make my own decisions about my beliefs.
November 19, 2023
2 stars and some change.
Salvaged from 2 stars in the last 50 or so, pages by an explanation (I didn’t see coming, and which I always appreciate) for why she’s been miserable for the past 62 years.
And yet, I really didn’t like Mabel. How do people adore Mabel? Her own dog didn’t even like her! (That fact, alone is enough for me… I trust the dog!) She insisted on calling a woman she just met by the wrong name, even though she’s been asked not to. The arrogant, selfish meddling in the lives of women she just met. And then, there’s Arthur, who lived his entire adult life with this boring, withholding woman.
I found this book anything but uplifting.
Salvaged from 2 stars in the last 50 or so, pages by an explanation (I didn’t see coming, and which I always appreciate) for why she’s been miserable for the past 62 years.
And yet, I really didn’t like Mabel. How do people adore Mabel? Her own dog didn’t even like her! (That fact, alone is enough for me… I trust the dog!) She insisted on calling a woman she just met by the wrong name, even though she’s been asked not to. The arrogant, selfish meddling in the lives of women she just met. And then, there’s Arthur, who lived his entire adult life with this boring, withholding woman.
I found this book anything but uplifting.
November 28, 2023
An emotional story of love and loss.
Mabel is 86-years old and her husband Arthur has just died leaving her alone with their dog Olly who was only really fond of Arthur. Having had no children Mabel is very much on her own but her husband, the ultimate list maker, has left her one last list: “Find D”. At first Mable is confounded until she makes the connection. Arthur must mean for her to find her BFF, Dot, from sixty years ago. Dot took off without a word never to be heard from again and Mabel is sure Arthur is telling her to find Dot.
Apart from the list Arthur has also paid for Mable to have a carer 2-hours every day. While Mable does not feel she needs a carer she finds Julie comforting and soon become friends. She confides in Julie that her husband has left her a list directing her to find her long lost friend and Julie is immediately on board to help in the search.
It won’t take long to figure out the relationship between Mable and her ‘friend’ Dot.
Since we have YA (young adult) books why not SA (senior adult) books because this book is about age, the choices we have made in the past, the outcome and the regrets.
“We all have something that’s broken in us, I suppose. Nobody gets away unscathed.” (Pg,292)
Mabel is 86-years old and her husband Arthur has just died leaving her alone with their dog Olly who was only really fond of Arthur. Having had no children Mabel is very much on her own but her husband, the ultimate list maker, has left her one last list: “Find D”. At first Mable is confounded until she makes the connection. Arthur must mean for her to find her BFF, Dot, from sixty years ago. Dot took off without a word never to be heard from again and Mabel is sure Arthur is telling her to find Dot.
Apart from the list Arthur has also paid for Mable to have a carer 2-hours every day. While Mable does not feel she needs a carer she finds Julie comforting and soon become friends. She confides in Julie that her husband has left her a list directing her to find her long lost friend and Julie is immediately on board to help in the search.
It won’t take long to figure out the relationship between Mable and her ‘friend’ Dot.
Since we have YA (young adult) books why not SA (senior adult) books because this book is about age, the choices we have made in the past, the outcome and the regrets.
“We all have something that’s broken in us, I suppose. Nobody gets away unscathed.” (Pg,292)
December 3, 2023
“You should try everything. You won’t regret it. “
I like almost any book about “found family,” (I’m sure that says a lot about me) but this is a GREAT one! Everything’s included: grief, aging, loneliness, courage, friendship, regret, love, hope. I was a big beautiful mess reading this one. ♥️
I like almost any book about “found family,” (I’m sure that says a lot about me) but this is a GREAT one! Everything’s included: grief, aging, loneliness, courage, friendship, regret, love, hope. I was a big beautiful mess reading this one. ♥️
November 15, 2023
A compelling read about aging, grief, regret, courage, the invisibility of mature women, second chances, and found family. Great cast of female characters. I loved the sisterhood of women.
August 7, 2023
Mabel (86) and Arthur (89) have been married for over 60 years and when Arthur dies suddenly, Mabel is left completely alone. They never had children and Mabel’s only companion is Olly, an anti-social dog who only really bonded with Arthur. When Mabel finds a note written by Arthur, simply saying ‘Find D’ she is confused but then realises that the note must refer to her best friend Dot; someone she suddenly lost touch with 60 years ago and who she has never forgotten.
This book was a joy to read and Mabel was a force to be reckoned with. The emotions she experiences after the loss of her husband are dealt with sympathetically as are her feelings about her marriage. Arthur was devoted to her and yet Mabel’s apparent discontentment came through the pages.
Mabel’s story highlights that it is never too late for friendship and the diverse supporting characters are so very different to each other in ages and background but their kindness and compassion are in no doubt. They each had their own backstory and ongoing problems but were superbly crafted and an integral part of the story. Who would have thought that a jar of piccalilli would lead to such a strong friendship bond being formed.
Arthur was always the list maker but Mabel made her own task list to accomplish. Despite her age, her judgement seemed rather questionable at times although the decisions were made with good intent and I did worry at what the outcomes would be.
I wasn’t sure about Mabel at first, she seemed rather cold and a little uncaring but with unexpected support she blossomed and emerged from her previously constricting life into one of self discovery. I loved the element of intrigue surrounding her friend Dot; as the former fiancee of Mabel’s beloved late brother Bill, she would always be in her thoughts and Mabel’s quest for news of her friend kept me hooked. Why did she disappear so suddenly?
This character driven novel is beautifully written with observations that I found thoughtful and poignant. Its background themes of loss, grief and loneliness could have made for a very different read but actually it was uplifting and hopeful with many moments of humour. I loved following Mabel’s journey and this will be a favourite read this year.
This book was a joy to read and Mabel was a force to be reckoned with. The emotions she experiences after the loss of her husband are dealt with sympathetically as are her feelings about her marriage. Arthur was devoted to her and yet Mabel’s apparent discontentment came through the pages.
Mabel’s story highlights that it is never too late for friendship and the diverse supporting characters are so very different to each other in ages and background but their kindness and compassion are in no doubt. They each had their own backstory and ongoing problems but were superbly crafted and an integral part of the story. Who would have thought that a jar of piccalilli would lead to such a strong friendship bond being formed.
Arthur was always the list maker but Mabel made her own task list to accomplish. Despite her age, her judgement seemed rather questionable at times although the decisions were made with good intent and I did worry at what the outcomes would be.
I wasn’t sure about Mabel at first, she seemed rather cold and a little uncaring but with unexpected support she blossomed and emerged from her previously constricting life into one of self discovery. I loved the element of intrigue surrounding her friend Dot; as the former fiancee of Mabel’s beloved late brother Bill, she would always be in her thoughts and Mabel’s quest for news of her friend kept me hooked. Why did she disappear so suddenly?
This character driven novel is beautifully written with observations that I found thoughtful and poignant. Its background themes of loss, grief and loneliness could have made for a very different read but actually it was uplifting and hopeful with many moments of humour. I loved following Mabel’s journey and this will be a favourite read this year.
November 30, 2023
Well, sh*t…that was like a really beautiful punch to the kidney.
I really didn’t expect to love it, but this book hits all the highs, lows, and in-betweens. It’s a beautiful story about all the different kinds of love we experience in our lives – friendship, family, romance – and the ways we touch the lives of others, about the choices we make and where those choices take us, how we change and grow, the things we might’ve done differently, and finding your happiness.
You should definitely give it a listen when you’re in the mood for something deep, heartfelt, and tear-jerking. The audio version was absolutely perfect and really heightened the experience for me! It’ll make you sad, happy, and probably a bit introspective, so give it a go when you’re ready for it!
What to expect:
* A beautiful story of friendships that break the usual barriers of age and circumstance. It’s heartwarming to see this group of women spanning from 17 to 89 come together and make such an impact in each other’s lives.
* A whole heap of self-growth which was interesting and wonderful to see from the perspective of someone who’s nearing the end of her life.
* Just one POV from an 89-year-old woman - an interesting change for me, to be honest, but I enjoyed it quite a lot.
* Lots of discussion about loss, grief, and change.
* A really beautiful journey of self-discovery and reconnection with the past.
* A bittersweet but beautiful sapphic love story.
And, well, a whole lot more but I find this one hard to sum up. Just read it!
I really didn’t expect to love it, but this book hits all the highs, lows, and in-betweens. It’s a beautiful story about all the different kinds of love we experience in our lives – friendship, family, romance – and the ways we touch the lives of others, about the choices we make and where those choices take us, how we change and grow, the things we might’ve done differently, and finding your happiness.
You should definitely give it a listen when you’re in the mood for something deep, heartfelt, and tear-jerking. The audio version was absolutely perfect and really heightened the experience for me! It’ll make you sad, happy, and probably a bit introspective, so give it a go when you’re ready for it!
What to expect:
* A beautiful story of friendships that break the usual barriers of age and circumstance. It’s heartwarming to see this group of women spanning from 17 to 89 come together and make such an impact in each other’s lives.
* A whole heap of self-growth which was interesting and wonderful to see from the perspective of someone who’s nearing the end of her life.
* Just one POV from an 89-year-old woman - an interesting change for me, to be honest, but I enjoyed it quite a lot.
* Lots of discussion about loss, grief, and change.
* A really beautiful journey of self-discovery and reconnection with the past.
* A bittersweet but beautiful sapphic love story.
And, well, a whole lot more but I find this one hard to sum up. Just read it!
December 31, 2023
I gave this book 2 stars because I was thoroughly enjoying the first half of the book. The second half fell apart for me and the story took a turn that seems so contrived. The character development was questionable and it felt like a bait and switch. The author went out of their way to push a personal agenda all while repeatedly making “religious people” the number one enemy. What a shame, it took the direction it did. #teamarthur
January 31, 2024
I was so disappointed in this book, it is hard to write this.
This started out as a sweet story about a woman whose husband dies. We learn a lot about their lives together as Mabel mourns her loss. Arthur was a list maker and Mabel finds a list he was making the day before he died and decides she should do one of the things on it (as she interprets the writing "Find D" to mean that she should find the best friend of her youth from whom she has been estranged since she married.
Along the way Mabel begins to make friends who help her on her journey. Some of them also have "problems" in their relationships with men.
I hate to reveal to you what we learned about 80% of the way through the book, but it is disheartening to me and people need to be aware in case they'd rather not take the time to read a story like this. Mabel has through out the story talked about how perhaps she shouldn't have married Arthur, how loving he was to her and he deserved better. I probably should have figured out that this would end as a lesbian romance.
If I had closely read the reviews or even taken the time to check the best sellers rank on amazon, I would have never chosen this book. I feel like my time was wasted - hours I can never get back to do something uplifting. Lesson learned. Don't read a book, no matter the hype until you have checked ratings and best seller ranking.
This started out as a sweet story about a woman whose husband dies. We learn a lot about their lives together as Mabel mourns her loss. Arthur was a list maker and Mabel finds a list he was making the day before he died and decides she should do one of the things on it (as she interprets the writing "Find D" to mean that she should find the best friend of her youth from whom she has been estranged since she married.
Along the way Mabel begins to make friends who help her on her journey. Some of them also have "problems" in their relationships with men.
I hate to reveal to you what we learned about 80% of the way through the book, but it is disheartening to me and people need to be aware in case they'd rather not take the time to read a story like this. Mabel has through out the story talked about how perhaps she shouldn't have married Arthur, how loving he was to her and he deserved better. I probably should have figured out that this would end as a lesbian romance.
If I had closely read the reviews or even taken the time to check the best sellers rank on amazon, I would have never chosen this book. I feel like my time was wasted - hours I can never get back to do something uplifting. Lesson learned. Don't read a book, no matter the hype until you have checked ratings and best seller ranking.
December 10, 2023
Disappointing!
I enjoyed this book until the last part when the whole matter of homosexuality came into play.
Mabel was a very lonely person - even in her marriage. Seeing her meet other women and making friendships was enlightening and that is what I thought the book was about. Instead, we learn that she loves another woman that was a friend over 60 years ago and this becomes the focal point of the story. Yes, it was disappointing and not a book that I would recommend for our book club.
I enjoyed this book until the last part when the whole matter of homosexuality came into play.
Mabel was a very lonely person - even in her marriage. Seeing her meet other women and making friendships was enlightening and that is what I thought the book was about. Instead, we learn that she loves another woman that was a friend over 60 years ago and this becomes the focal point of the story. Yes, it was disappointing and not a book that I would recommend for our book club.
February 11, 2025
I had to read this book in drips and drabs. It was lighthearted enough, and that was partially why. I was reading other books in parallel with some very heavy topics, like rape, racism, slavery, and forgiveness, and even Jimmy Carter's book, which was dense, was a downer in the end because the current president in comparison to him is so darned depressing and freaky. So I was reading this one slowly to give myself a break from those other books, and I would read a few chapters every night. However, as I got into the book, I found myself very annoyed.
The main character is an elderly woman who's been recently widowed. The book summary made me think it was going to be a story of a woman who finally comes into her own as a direct result of her husband's death. While this is true, she had a lot of growing up to do to get there, and I found myself rolling my eyes at her over and over again while she went through it. Given how much I usually love an elderly protagonist, I was disappointed by her time and again. I had three main problems with her:
1. I found my very feminist self questioning why she was ever married because I was feeling very sorry for her saint of a husband. I wouldn't ordinarily say this about women in marriages, but she was a fairly terrible wife!!! I am in shock that her husband stayed married to her for all these decades. She should have never married.
2. She is quick to judge others and make some really bad uninformed decisions as a result. This leads me to #3.
3. She is horribly meddlesome. Without taking into account any other outcome that could happen other than the outcome she assumes will happen, she makes some very aggressive moves to interfere in other people's lives. She is damned lucky that they forgive her for it all. I think if she had done something similar in my life, I might've cut her out of it.
So while I initially was reading this book slowly to give myself a break from some of the heftier books, I then started slowing down because I simply disliked her so much. In the end, a lot of her gaffes made sense, and as she wrapped up her quest, finding out who she really was on her own and self-proclaimed who she is, the book finally felt like it got to the point of it all.
I get what the author was trying to do, but I think it could've been done more effectively. The mystery with Dot took way too long to reveal. I get that it took that long because she didn't know how to admit any of it to herself and therefore, she couldn't share it with anyone else, but it felt like the whole point of the book was really in the last ten pages and everything until then was just filler. In actuality, all of it was important to her journey, but as I said, I think it was done ineffectively.
The main character is an elderly woman who's been recently widowed. The book summary made me think it was going to be a story of a woman who finally comes into her own as a direct result of her husband's death. While this is true, she had a lot of growing up to do to get there, and I found myself rolling my eyes at her over and over again while she went through it. Given how much I usually love an elderly protagonist, I was disappointed by her time and again. I had three main problems with her:
1. I found my very feminist self questioning why she was ever married because I was feeling very sorry for her saint of a husband. I wouldn't ordinarily say this about women in marriages, but she was a fairly terrible wife!!! I am in shock that her husband stayed married to her for all these decades. She should have never married.
2. She is quick to judge others and make some really bad uninformed decisions as a result. This leads me to #3.
3. She is horribly meddlesome. Without taking into account any other outcome that could happen other than the outcome she assumes will happen, she makes some very aggressive moves to interfere in other people's lives. She is damned lucky that they forgive her for it all. I think if she had done something similar in my life, I might've cut her out of it.
So while I initially was reading this book slowly to give myself a break from some of the heftier books, I then started slowing down because I simply disliked her so much. In the end, a lot of her gaffes made sense, and as she wrapped up her quest, finding out who she really was on her own and self-proclaimed who she is, the book finally felt like it got to the point of it all.
I get what the author was trying to do, but I think it could've been done more effectively. The mystery with Dot took way too long to reveal. I get that it took that long because she didn't know how to admit any of it to herself and therefore, she couldn't share it with anyone else, but it felt like the whole point of the book was really in the last ten pages and everything until then was just filler. In actuality, all of it was important to her journey, but as I said, I think it was done ineffectively.
January 2, 2024
Unlikable main character
*SPOILERS*
This story was about an elderly woman, in her 80s, whose husband of 62 years dies at the beginning of the book which “allows” her to start living a different life. For reasons that aren’t entirely explained, it appears that Mabel and her husband Arthur have lived their entire marriage without making any friends, having any children, or connecting themselves to any kind of community - at least not that Mabel has once Arthur is gone. Once Arthur dies, all Mabel has is his dog, who she doesn’t like, and sometimes Arthur’s ghost.
I won’t go into all of the reasons why this book was unrealistic.- I am not a stickler for a book always living in the real world. I do expect a book to have a main character that grows in honest and meaningful ways; or one that is making mistakes and facing consequences. Instead we have Mabel: a woman who married a man who she admitted to not being “in love” with (even if she loved him) and refused to have a family with even though she knew he wanted one. Arthur seemed to take care of Mabel regardless of her shutting him out, pushing him away from any intimacy, and effectively ruining his life in many ways; even after his death he arranged to have a caregiver come help Mabel so that she would not be alone.
Mabel’s caregiver offers to help her find her long lost “friend” Dot, who was engaged to Mabel’s brother, who died when they were young (early 20s?). We later learn that Mabel has pined for Dot her entire life, even though the two only ever shared one kiss before Mabel agreed to marry Arthur. Most of the book is Mabel making new friends (mostly due to the caregiver’s connections) and then meddling in their lives in sneaky ways that are truly devastating - such as meddling in their marriages, estranged family relationships, and even making up untrue accusations to break up a family. Really horrifying things! Mabel has no respect for people’s lives (including Arthur’s!) and acts entirely selfish nearly all the time. She doesn’t even treat Arthur’s dog well!
Once some of Mabel’s sneaky antics end up hurting her new “friends,” she sort of thinks maybe she shouldn’t have meddled, but then the author decides to have all of the circumstances magically correct themselves, as though Mabel was right all along to have meddled. I’m not making this up.
Finally, after one dead end after another in her search for Dot, Mabel learns that Dot eventually married and had two sons, but that she died - presumably of cancer. However, then the author backtracks and Dot didn’t die after all - that was all a mistake. (As if I didn’t dislike this book enough already, the author couldn’t have a change of heart about the plot and REWRITE it instead of just thinking this was some cute plot twist.) Mabel and Dot meet one another again and profess their love for one another. And I guess they lived happily ever after.
I honestly do not understand how this has any good ratings. Is this trying to depict lesbians as selfish and mean-spirited people? I’m really at a loss as to what people enjoyed about this book, what the message was supposed to be, and if there are multiple versions of this out there as some kind of test. I hated the version I got!
*SPOILERS*
This story was about an elderly woman, in her 80s, whose husband of 62 years dies at the beginning of the book which “allows” her to start living a different life. For reasons that aren’t entirely explained, it appears that Mabel and her husband Arthur have lived their entire marriage without making any friends, having any children, or connecting themselves to any kind of community - at least not that Mabel has once Arthur is gone. Once Arthur dies, all Mabel has is his dog, who she doesn’t like, and sometimes Arthur’s ghost.
I won’t go into all of the reasons why this book was unrealistic.- I am not a stickler for a book always living in the real world. I do expect a book to have a main character that grows in honest and meaningful ways; or one that is making mistakes and facing consequences. Instead we have Mabel: a woman who married a man who she admitted to not being “in love” with (even if she loved him) and refused to have a family with even though she knew he wanted one. Arthur seemed to take care of Mabel regardless of her shutting him out, pushing him away from any intimacy, and effectively ruining his life in many ways; even after his death he arranged to have a caregiver come help Mabel so that she would not be alone.
Mabel’s caregiver offers to help her find her long lost “friend” Dot, who was engaged to Mabel’s brother, who died when they were young (early 20s?). We later learn that Mabel has pined for Dot her entire life, even though the two only ever shared one kiss before Mabel agreed to marry Arthur. Most of the book is Mabel making new friends (mostly due to the caregiver’s connections) and then meddling in their lives in sneaky ways that are truly devastating - such as meddling in their marriages, estranged family relationships, and even making up untrue accusations to break up a family. Really horrifying things! Mabel has no respect for people’s lives (including Arthur’s!) and acts entirely selfish nearly all the time. She doesn’t even treat Arthur’s dog well!
Once some of Mabel’s sneaky antics end up hurting her new “friends,” she sort of thinks maybe she shouldn’t have meddled, but then the author decides to have all of the circumstances magically correct themselves, as though Mabel was right all along to have meddled. I’m not making this up.
Finally, after one dead end after another in her search for Dot, Mabel learns that Dot eventually married and had two sons, but that she died - presumably of cancer. However, then the author backtracks and Dot didn’t die after all - that was all a mistake. (As if I didn’t dislike this book enough already, the author couldn’t have a change of heart about the plot and REWRITE it instead of just thinking this was some cute plot twist.) Mabel and Dot meet one another again and profess their love for one another. And I guess they lived happily ever after.
I honestly do not understand how this has any good ratings. Is this trying to depict lesbians as selfish and mean-spirited people? I’m really at a loss as to what people enjoyed about this book, what the message was supposed to be, and if there are multiple versions of this out there as some kind of test. I hated the version I got!
August 17, 2023
Mabel and Arthur Beaumont live in a small Surrey town and have been married for sixty-two years. They are the best of friends. When she wakes one morning to find Arthur has passed away in the night, she feels adrift. They never had children and now she is completely alone... When Arthur was alive he structured their days around lists he would make. Mabel finds his last, unfinished list which says only "Find D". Her mind immediately goes to Dot, her best friend, whom she hasn't seen since before her marriage to Arthur. Did he want her to find Dot again?
Surprisingly, Arthur has prepared for his passing by hiring someone to come in to their home for two hours each day. This carer is named Julie, and despite Mabel's initial misgivings, Julie becomes a true friend, helper, and confidant. Through Julie, and her own newfound courage, Mabel meets other friends. A teenager who works at the local market. A seventy year old dance instructor, and a young mother with a tiny daughter. Suddenly Mabel doesn't feel so alone and she is experiencing camaraderie for the first time in decades. She has a new lease on life at the tender age of eighty-six. Her new friends set about to help Mabel find her old friend Dot.
In return, when Mabel strives to 'help' her new friends by interfering in their lives, she comes close to jeopardizing her newfound friendships. They all have aspects of their lives which they wish to keep to themselves, as does Mabel. Everyone of them has secrets...
"We all have something that's broken us, I suppose. Nobody gets away unscathed."
This is a very uplifting novel. With themes of aging, loss, societal expectations, and the acceptance of change, it was a poignant and very satisfying story of female friendships.
Surprisingly, Arthur has prepared for his passing by hiring someone to come in to their home for two hours each day. This carer is named Julie, and despite Mabel's initial misgivings, Julie becomes a true friend, helper, and confidant. Through Julie, and her own newfound courage, Mabel meets other friends. A teenager who works at the local market. A seventy year old dance instructor, and a young mother with a tiny daughter. Suddenly Mabel doesn't feel so alone and she is experiencing camaraderie for the first time in decades. She has a new lease on life at the tender age of eighty-six. Her new friends set about to help Mabel find her old friend Dot.
In return, when Mabel strives to 'help' her new friends by interfering in their lives, she comes close to jeopardizing her newfound friendships. They all have aspects of their lives which they wish to keep to themselves, as does Mabel. Everyone of them has secrets...
"We all have something that's broken us, I suppose. Nobody gets away unscathed."
This is a very uplifting novel. With themes of aging, loss, societal expectations, and the acceptance of change, it was a poignant and very satisfying story of female friendships.
August 24, 2024
*Taking Chances*
**4.5 Stars**
Mabel was married over 60 years to Arthur who loved to make lists. When he passes away quietly in his sleep, Mabel finds another one of his lists. On it was the words ‘Find D’ that was the only thing written on the list. This stands out for her as it is the initial of her best friend Dot who she lost touch with.
Mabel sauntered through life quietly and although Arthur was a good man in her eyes she never felt fulfilled and he seemed to love her despite of that. But like everyone he had his flaws.
Mabel has never taken chances and lived life in the safe lane. Little does she know that by taking a chance that she may gain more than she bargained for. The big question is that after 60 years of being apart will Dot still be alive? How will her life change and will she open herself up to the life she has always dreamed of?….
This for me was about friendships, love and daring to step outside of your comfort zone. I absolutely loved it.
**4.5 Stars**
Mabel was married over 60 years to Arthur who loved to make lists. When he passes away quietly in his sleep, Mabel finds another one of his lists. On it was the words ‘Find D’ that was the only thing written on the list. This stands out for her as it is the initial of her best friend Dot who she lost touch with.
Mabel sauntered through life quietly and although Arthur was a good man in her eyes she never felt fulfilled and he seemed to love her despite of that. But like everyone he had his flaws.
Mabel has never taken chances and lived life in the safe lane. Little does she know that by taking a chance that she may gain more than she bargained for. The big question is that after 60 years of being apart will Dot still be alive? How will her life change and will she open herself up to the life she has always dreamed of?….
This for me was about friendships, love and daring to step outside of your comfort zone. I absolutely loved it.
September 21, 2023
I agree with one other reviewer who said she felt betrayed. I don’t know if I’d say betrayed per se but definitely duped. I was genuinely enjoying the plot and I really liked all the characters but the whole story fell through for me at the end leaving me disappointed. 1.5 rounded up to 2
November 19, 2023
To the extent that our protagonist has held her tongue for more than 60 years, I would not have been sorry if she'd held it a couple more.
The revelation about Mabel is clear as day just a few pages into the story. Like that revelation, it reads as a startling discovery but is actually eye-roll inducing. While she has been married and both emotionally and physically stunted for most of her life, as she leaves that life behind she acts like she has literally been living in an episode of Downton Abbey or something that whole time. The prim old English lady can't imagine using cell phones or dating apps or even a wider variety of food. Exhausting.
What made this a two-star read for me is that I was tired of Mabel by a 1/4 way through the story and was furious at her for how her choices cost others in her life, mostly Arthur. By the time the emotional 'happy moment' comes near the end I found myself wishing for something very different than what I got.
Although it makes sense that her choices were dictated by the time in which she made them, we never get the sense she has given much thought to the price others paid. Especially Ollie, the dog. Walk the d*** dog, Mabel!
The revelation about Mabel is clear as day just a few pages into the story. Like that revelation, it reads as a startling discovery but is actually eye-roll inducing. While she has been married and both emotionally and physically stunted for most of her life, as she leaves that life behind she acts like she has literally been living in an episode of Downton Abbey or something that whole time. The prim old English lady can't imagine using cell phones or dating apps or even a wider variety of food. Exhausting.
What made this a two-star read for me is that I was tired of Mabel by a 1/4 way through the story and was furious at her for how her choices cost others in her life, mostly Arthur. By the time the emotional 'happy moment' comes near the end I found myself wishing for something very different than what I got.
Although it makes sense that her choices were dictated by the time in which she made them, we never get the sense she has given much thought to the price others paid. Especially Ollie, the dog. Walk the d*** dog, Mabel!
March 9, 2024
I went into this book with no expectations. Almost thinking it would just be another filler read between heavy books. WELL, Mabel you shook my little world!!
As a gay woman I am always keen to see real, true representation and boy did The Last List Of Mable Beaumont represent. The most stunning story of oppression, of loss, of love and of the struggle of living your life true to yourself. This story really depicts the struggle of older generations entry to LGBTQ truth. And honestly even though at times I felt frustrated with Mabel when it got to the end I understood her.
A great read that doesn’t turn lesbians into a fetish, it didn’t need smut, instead it represented true lesbian love and showed gay women ultimate respect.
As a gay woman I am always keen to see real, true representation and boy did The Last List Of Mable Beaumont represent. The most stunning story of oppression, of loss, of love and of the struggle of living your life true to yourself. This story really depicts the struggle of older generations entry to LGBTQ truth. And honestly even though at times I felt frustrated with Mabel when it got to the end I understood her.
A great read that doesn’t turn lesbians into a fetish, it didn’t need smut, instead it represented true lesbian love and showed gay women ultimate respect.
November 17, 2023
DNF This would seem to be my ideal book -- a crotchety old woman who develops and grows through friendships with younger people. (As I write that, I guess there is a formula to a bunch of these types of books.) But I just couldn't get past the idea that she truly destroyed her husband -- and, because he's dead, it's too late to fix that. There's a difference between being crotchety and being cruelly unfeeling. (Maybe there is something that I will see later that would have changed my mind, but I just couldn't read any more -- I didn't want to empathize with her cruelty.)
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