Mabel and Arthur Beamont have been married for sixty-two years. When Arthur suddenly dies Mabel finds a mysterious note from him, "Find D", she sets out to do exactly as he asked.
Having recently discovered Laura Pearson's novels when I read The Day Shelley Woodhouse Woke Up, I knew it wouldn't be long before I read another book by the author. Since I already had The Last List Of Mabel Beaumont on my TBR pile the decision was even easier.
The story of Mabel Beaumont is a poignant one that really resonated with me, as I'm sure it will with a lot of women. Mabel is eighty-six, for the past sixty-two years she and Arthur have been a unit as they had no children. Mabel acknowledges that this means their relationship has been intense but also isolating as they have done everything together. Arthur had a few friends at the local pub but for Mabel, her life revolved around Arthur. With Arthur's sudden demise, Mabel realises how lonely and isolated she is. Ever thoughtful, Arthur had considered this and put a plan in place, he'd arranged for a carer to visit Mabel daily. Mabel is staggered when she learns of this, and is adamant that the last thing she needs is a carer. This, in part, is down to Mabel's personality. The couple never needed any support in the past, they just got on with things. Mabel also thinks she's a lot younger than she is and this adds to her struggle to accept the help offered. Loneliness is the biggest issue and Mabel acknowledges that a daily visit from Julie, the carer, would help combat this, even if there's nothing for her to do.
With Julie's help, Mabel sets out to "Find D", which she has interpreted as finding Dot, the friend she hasn't seen in sixty-two years. Lots of memories resurface focusing on the years in which she first met Arthur and her brother was dating Dot. You form a picture of how caring and loving Arthur was, but there are hints that not everything in the marriage was perfect.
Not only does Julie help Mabel in her quest to find Dot but she also encourages her to try new experiences. Through this Mabel meets new friends, women at various stages of life, who are also dealing with their own problems. Mabel forms her own list, wanting to help her new friends solve the issues they are each facing.
This wonderful novel highlights how invisible the older generation becomes, particularly widows, and that friendships are difficult to make the older you get. Being open to new opportunities and experiences is key to meeting new friends and can offer a new lease on life.
Author Details
Laura Pearson is the author of four novels. The Last List of Mabel Beaumont was a Kindle number one bestseller in the UK and a top ten bestseller in the US. Laura lives in Leicestershire, England, with her husband, their two children, and a cat who likes to lie on her keyboard while she tries to write.
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