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A fabulous cast of characters all rally round Mabel as she starts a quest. After finding a list made by her late husband, Mabel starts a search for Dot, her best friend. Supported by her new group of friends, we see how their lives become intertwined, as much as they are helping Mabel, caring for her and allowing her to do more; they have also become projects that she feels she wants to help out. 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.
Mabel Beaumont’s husband Arthur loved lists. He’d leave them for her everywhere. ‘Remember: eggs, butter, sugar’. ‘I love you: today, tomorrow, always’. The Piano Tuner” by Chiang-Sheng Kuo – Book Review #NovNov23 @skyhorsepub @arcadepub #ThePianoTuner#BookReview November 28, 2023 Since writing The Secret Life of Albert Entwisle, I've been inundated with books in the uplit genre but this is by far the best I've read... It's moving, life-affirming and utterly wonderful.' Matt Cain, author 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. 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.
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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? I adored it… A heartbreakingly beautiful story about love in all its different forms. (And she made me cry again, of course). Bravo.’ Nikki Smith 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. 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. It isn’t possible, to erase the lives we’ve lived. We only have today, and whatever future we’re granted.”
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. Such a poignant story. Brought a lump to my throat… Will really appeal to fans of Joanna Cannon.’ Karen Angelico 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.
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.
Something interesting that I found when comparing this to similar real-life situations where one partner passes away after being in a long-term relationship, is that the remaining partner will often embark on a fulfilling, active life that’s sometimes quite different from the one they shared with the loved one that they lost. Such a poignant story. Brought a lump to my throat... Will really appeal to fans of Joanna Cannon.' Karen Angelico, authorEighty 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. This review was written voluntarily and my rating was in no way influenced by the fact that I received a complimentary digital copy of this novel from Boldwood Books via NetGalley. Laura Pearson has an MA in Creative Writing from the University of Chichester. She lives in Leicestershire, England with her husband and their two children. 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? 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.
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