Night of Miracles is a charming story about the inhabitants of a small town. While it is billed as a sequel to The Story of Arthur Truluv, it is a completely standalone book. But reading them in order will give you a little bit more enjoyment when reading the second one, because of the additional backstory knowledge of a couple of characters.
There are a lot more characters in Night of Miracles compared to The Story of Arthur Truluv which centered on three people. In fact, the beginning of Night of Miracles requires some patience on the reader’s part — the first 5 chapters, although they are short, revolve around different characters (Lucille, Iris, Abby/Jason, Tiny/Iris, and Monica) with a few tertiary character names as well. So don’t be surprised if you are a bit confused and have trouble keeping the characters straight — it will become clearer as you read more.
The book is about how these individuals become interconnected as their stories unfold. Are these people extraordinary? Not really. But they are good-natured and kind — people you would like to get to know. They are coping with everyday issues and problems while dealing with others in a compassionate way. Their different circumstances include illness, a small business, losing weight, starting over after a divorce, dating, unrequited love and so on. By the time their story ends, each one will get their own small miracle.
The different characters come to realize different truths through their experiences with each other and the situations in their lives. There are bits of wisdom sprinkled through the pages on various topics including love, life, and kindness.
That is the gift of love, not only that you have somebody but that you are changed by somebody.
One good thing about someone really liking something you have is that you appreciate it yourself all over again.
But you can’t custom-order people’s kindnesses. People do what they can, they give what they have.
There are some amusing moments as well as clever writing.
He takes the recommended small bites! which means that he cuts the sprouts in quarters. Looks like he’s going to have to add a microscope to his table setting.
They didn’t even eat together anymore, not breakfast, not lunch, not dinner. Oftentimes, they ate separate things, and Iris thought this was worse than separate beds. They were more than over. They were rotted.
Ms. Berg is a skilled writer who gives the reader worthy ideas to ponder:
Lately, she draws comfort from watching the second hand go smoothly around and around. Isn’t it funny that she, so enamored of the past, is now consoled by seeing time move relentlessly forward?
Funny how important those birds have become to her. But people need something to depend on. They need a qsomething to love.
And everybody’s job was to love life while you had it and never to take anything for granted. It was hard to remember to do that, but it was worth it to try.
Although I enjoyed Night of Miracles, I didn’t love it as much as The Story of Arthur Truluv. Maybe the abundance of characters has something to do with it. The character of Arthur Truluv is unrivaled in Night of Miracles — he is truly unique. Overall I think The Story of Arthur Truluv set a very high bar which would be extremely difficult to surpass.
Thank you to Random House and NetGalley for an advanced reader copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.
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