Florence is the main character in Life: A Love Story by Elizabeth Berg. Fans of Arthur Truluv, The Correspondent, and the epistolary format will appreciate Florence and her candid, poignant reflections.
Carol’s Captivating Characters of September Link-Up
***This post contains Amazon affiliate links.
On the last Friday of the month, I write a post about my most captivating character of the month and create a Link Party (see link below my review)! In addition to hearing about the memorable characters that have captivated you, I also want this feature to facilitate new bookish friendships, help you find your book twin, and promote blog engagement. This link party will stay active for 30 days. In exchange for linking your post back to this one, I promise to visit every blog post that links up, leave a comment, and share your post once on #bookx and #booksky.
Captivating Character Link Up Details:
- You can use fictional or real characters/persons.
- Link up a review that specifically highlights a captivating character or person, or write a post dedicated to your most captivating character or person of the month.
- Please include a link back to this (monthly) post.
- Be kind: visit one other post in the link-up and leave a comment.
- #CaptivatingCharacters26
No blog? No problem! Share your most captivating character of the month in the comments.
Shoutout to Joanne @ Portobello Book Blog, H.C. Newton @ The Irresponsible Reader, Carla @ Carla Loves to Read, and Laura @ Reading Books Again for linking up with me in August. Check out their posts!
Florence
Last things….
Name of Captivating Character: Florence “Flo” Greene
The reason she is captivating: caring, spunky, reflective, generous, candid
Book and Author: Life: A Love Story by Elizabeth Berg
Genre/Categories: Contemporary Fiction, Women’s Fiction, Last Things, Friendship, Epistolary, Novella, Slice of Life, Character-driven
Mood: Reflective, heartfelt, poignant
Content Considerations: marriage hardships, child death, infidelity, terminal illness
Florence is a ninety-two year old woman reflecting on her life and relationships though a long letter she is writing to Ruth, a younger woman who grew up next door to Flo. Because Flo didn’t have children and her husband has died, she is leaving her house and all her possessions to Ruthie. In her letter, Flo mentions several possessions and their importance to her. There is a story attached to each of these possessions and these stories provide a glimpse into Flo’s life with its challenges and blessings. Flo pours her heart into this candid letter.
When Flo takes breaks from her letter writing, we are given a peek into her current life including making a new friend, her first trip to a nail salon, and a daring decision to add a streak of blue to her hair. She is a feisty woman who is not afraid of a new adventure.
Making connections with a story always enhances the reading experience. Since last October and the passing of my mom, I’ve gone through all her possessions. I often wondered why she saved certain items. Several of her treasures had notes attached that explained the significance of the items. It was sweet and helped me decide which items to keep for myself. I can imagine my mom going through her house like Flo did and choosing which items were most sentimental and writing a note. Have you written any notes about things in your house and why they are important to you?
Fans of The Correspondent and readers who enjoy a captivating character, a reflective novella in (mostly) epistolary format, and thoughtful and poetic prose will want to add Life: A Love Story to their fall TBRs.
You might also enjoy The Story of Arthur Truluv by the author. She writes the most memorable characters!
Star Rating: 4.5 Stars
Meet the Author of Life: A Love Story, Elizabeth Berg
Elizabeth Berg is the author of eighteen novels and has more than 1.5 million books in print. Her novel, OPEN HOUSE, was an Oprah’s Book Club selection in 2000. Berg lives near Chicago, Illinois. Visit her at http://www.elizabeth-berg.net
I KNOW you’ve encountered some fascinating and interesting characters this month! Share them with us by linking up your review post!
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Click here to enter!
“Ah, how good it is to be among people who are reading.”
~Rainer Maria Rilke
“I love the world of words where life and literature connect.”
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~Madeleine Riley
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I’m so keen to read this book. How poignant to read about why it particularly resonated with you. Sounds like a case of the right book at the right time.
I hope it comes to you soon!
An interesting question. I don’t think it has ever occurred to me to write anything about my possessions.
When going through my mom’s things it really helped. I wish she had written more.