Today I am reviewing The Reinvention of Albert Paugh by Jean Davies Okimoto for TLC Book Tours. As always, I am provided with a copy of the book in exchange for my honest review.
About the book (from the publisher): Dr. Albert Paugh is flunking retirement. After selling his Vashon Island veterinary practice, he soon finds himself not only lost without his work, but suddenly single. His efforts to carve out a new life, both as a bachelor and a retiree, only leave him feeling like his “golden years” are fast becoming “years of gloom.” His regrets pile up until he moves to Baker’s Beach where he gets to know a very special neighbor, learns that friends are the family you choose, and finds a new sense of purpose. The Reinvention of Albert Paugh is a sweet, funny love story about retirees that will delight readers (and dog lovers) of any age.
My review: Charming. Delightful. Heartwarming. This book is a treasure.
The author has created a wonderful character in Albert Paugh, a veterinarian who finds that life has thrown him some curves as he navigates his post-retirement years. Devoted to his practice, even more devoted to animals (especially his dog Bert,) he is now at sixes and sevens.
What do you do when the work that gave you sustenance and peace is now forbidden (due to a non-compete clause in the contract drawn up by the new owner of the veterinary practice)? What do you do when the not-very-exciting or even particularly peaceful marriage you’ve been in for over 25 years dissolves? That’s where we find Albert Paugh at the beginning of this story.
Okimoto has described Vashon Island in great detail, and its beaches and cottages and nooks and crannies are vividly realized. It is a character in itself. The supporting cast of characters are beautifully drawn, with Albert Paugh at their center. He’s a well loved citizen of the island, kind, compassionate, and utterly befuddled by this new experience of being on his own.
And what about those single ladies in his age group who have suddenly taken a special interest in him? What to do?
In many ways, he reminds me of Father Tim, the central character in Jan Karon’s series of novels. Good, kind, devoted to animals, wryly observant of the eccentricities of those around him, he is trying to find a sense of purpose in his life. Helped by those friends he holds dear and the devotion of Bert, Dr. Paugh’s quest for reinvention will have you cheering him on.
I really loved this book. I loved the cast of characters, the story, and Vashon Island. Like the best books detailing small town life, I found myself wanting to live in its pages. I want to know these dear people. Okimoto is a gifted and wonderful writer.
It’s refreshing to read about characters who are in the sixties (and even older) who are real and complex, and just as interesting and compelling as any thirty-year-old. Bravo for that! And the reminder that love and passion can knock on the door when you think you’re too old to ever experience it again is life-affirming in the best possible way.
The back of the book says that this is “the third book in Jean Davies Okimoto’s Island Trilogy, following The Love Ceiling and Walter’s Muse.” It’s clear that some of the characters are recurring in all three novels. You can bet I’m going to read them.
If you love Jan Karon’s novels, if you love dogs (and cats), if you love books about small towns filled with rich and sometimes eccentric characters, I think you’ll really enjoy this book. It’s absolutely delightful. I didn’t want it to end.
About the author: Jean Davies Okimoto is an author and playwright whose books and short stories have been translated into Japanese, Italian, Chinese, German, Danish, Korean and Hebrew. She is the recipient of numerous awards including Smithsonian Notable Book, the American Library Association Best Book for Young Adults, the Washington Governor’s Award, and the International Reading Association Readers Choice Award. Her picture book, Blumpoe the Grumpoe Meets Arnold the Cat was adapted by Shelly Duvall for the HBO and Showtime series “Bedtime Stories.” Her debut novel for adults, The Love Ceiling was a season’s pick by the King County Library System, named to the ABA Indie Next Reading Group List and ebook Fiction Winner in the 2009 Indie Next Generation Awards. She has appeared on CNN, Oprah and the Today Show. Jeanie, who is also a retired psychotherapist, began writing for adults when she and her husband Joe retired to Vashon Island in 2004, where they (and their dogs Bert and Willie) are visited by deer families and their six grandchildren.
Good news! One of you will be the lucky winner of a copy of this book. Leave a comment on this post and I will draw a winner on Saturday evening. Good luck!
Happy Wednesday.
Sounds like my kind of book!
Claudia, this book sounds delightful and I would love to win it!
Claudia, Thanks for the chance to win. Sounds like a good read. Doris
Thanks for your review Claudia! I’d love to receive the book — as long as Bert does not die!!!
I’d love to read this book. Our library consortium doesn’t have a copy for me to borrow :(
I would love to read this book. Sounds charming and uplifting!
None of her books listed in my library so I just ordered ‘The Love Ceiling’ from Amazon.
I’d love to read this book-sounds like a nice change of pace from mysteries!
Sounds wonderful, I would love to win :)
You had me when you compared Dr. Pugh to Father Tim!
Loved your review. Count me in, please.
Great review. Need to add the book to my reading list.
This sounds like my perfect kind of book…on my way to Amazon now. Thanks!
I also wanted to let you know how much I enjoy your blog. I do, I do, I do!
Don’t comment very much but as long as I am today here goes…
Love the dollhouse stuff. I got a dollhouse kit when expecting my 3rd child as it had to be a girl. Well, it was not to be. Love my boys! So I made it into Santa’s house. Oh my, what fun. Now with 5 grandsons (soon to be 6…maybe we will get a girl. Nah.) it is a joy to bring it out for the holidays!
And I too get unhappy with people on the cell phones. No common courtesy for others. Never understand what is so stinkin’ important.
My heart is always a little sad for you two sweethearts when you are apart for your jobs.
I love your flowers and your sweet Scout.
And you take the best pictures! Beautiful.
Thank you!
Hugs,
Debbie
It sounds delightful! Count me in…thanks for the opportunity! ;)
This sounds like a great book and a new to me author to explore!
This book sounds like a perfect summer read. Vashon Island sounds like our isolated-by-ferry community, with its cast of odd characters and rural attitudes (all interesting and mostly good!)
I, too, am loving your dollhouse chronicles as Caroline’s personality develops. My dollhouses have sat in storage for 10 years, but I love them all. I have often paid more for a light fixture for the dollhouse than I would for our own house.
Will you write your own book, Claudia?
Many thanks.
Gail
I live in King County and have never heard of her! I think it’s time this 60 something crawled out from under my rock and see what is happening around me! Thanks for the heads up, Claudia.
Sounds good to me!
Betty McDonald’s “Onions in the Stew” is an account of her life on Vashon Island in a house you’ll want to move right into.
The first few paragraphs and I was thinking of Father Tim! And then you said it!! This sounds like a wonderful book, and always fun when it is a series of sorts. Going to the library today to see if they have it or can order.
Thanks for the great review of even MORE to add to my TBR list!
Hi Claudia
This sounds like my kind of book. In all my lifetime I have always had a dog. Or two , currently three. I just inherited a dog from best friend who lost a courageous battle with pancreatic cancer. I am always thrilled to be a winner…of anything!
karen
This book sounds wonderful. I’ve been looking for a gentle read.
Sounds like a wonderful summer read! Would love to win it!
I think that ‘not wanting a book to end’ is the greatest recommendation you can give it. There are not many books like that around anymore. I would love to read it, especially as it features older characters. There are not many books like that around, either. Blessings
Claudia, I just wanted to say, I have not stopped following you…I am just having troubles click on to my favorite sites. I still can see what you have been doing this summer. Thinking of you<Don and Scout. Blessings, xoxo,Susie
Good Day Claudia! Life on Vashon Island with a senior citizen as its hero, sounds very intriguing to me. And I must say that the name Dr. Paugh, is as perfect a name for a vet as perhaps Dr. Molar would be for a dentist. :)
I would Love to be a part of you draw , so please count me in. It has been a few months since I’ve made the space to read a good book, and your review, “Charming. Delightful. Heartwarming. This book is a treasure”, got my full attention. :))
elizabeth
This book sounds delightful! I would love to read it. Thanks for the review and for a chance to win a copy!
Looks like your weather has cooled for a few days. Ours is wonderful today; low humidity and cooler temps are wonderful!
Susan
A charming book with people our age…now I want to read all three and I haven’t read this one yet…I’d say that is a good review Claudia…Count me in please!
Oh yes…I Googled Vashon Island and it is just beautiful…
The book sounds delightful! It’s unusual to find a book with older people in the lead character. It is on my list of books to read!
Thanks for this captivating and memorable giveaway. I read Walter’s Muse and loved it. The writing, characters and setting made the novel special and unforgettable. Your excellent review gave me insight into this exceptional story.
Would love to read this book! Thank you.
This sounds like a wonderful book. I would love to win a copy. Please pick me.
I want this book! We have a family connection to Vashon Island…
This sounds like a wonderful book. I am not familiar with this author but will be checking my library catalog to see if the earlier books are available. Thanks for the opportunity to enter the giveaway.
Im intrigued … This sounds like a very good read and I’d love a chance to win it and read it!
Thank you!
I would love to read this book — you’ve really piqued my interest!
Would love to read this…..for so many reasons. Thank you for the opportunity and fingers crossed!
Well, Claudia, finally you have reviewed a book I just may buy! My reading lists don’t include mysteries or murders or sci/fi (as do my husband’s) just stories like this.
oh, by the way, both my husband and I read “Go Set a Watchman”….we both feel neutral – nothing special, nothing bad,nothing to remark about – just a story.
Count me in! I would love to read this book.
Hey, girl, how are you? I haven’t been by for several weeks and notice you’re not “up-to-date” on your blog. Are you not doing it every day? I’ve tried getting a blog post more recent than this one but it appears this is your latest.
I saw your post on phones in theaters, etc. I absolutely hate cell phones!! Hate them. I only have an old flip phone because I’m in my 70s and “compromised” now with the lung disease, which, btw, was caused by acid reflux. Can you imagine?! The biopsy showed that as the cause.
I told hubby if he upgrades from his 3G iPhone I’d take it but without the data package as I use a phone as a PHONE. I rarely give the number out to anyone as it’s usually turned off in my purse. If I need to make a call on it I turn it on. We share 550 minutes with our granddaughter and her hubby and even with 550 minutes we don’t even come CLOSE to using all our minutes. Right now, with a week to go in the billing cycle, we have used only 148 minutes. So you KNOW we don’t use them much. I use our land line most of the time for calls. I have to remind hubby to charge it every Friday just in case I need it. I’m pathetic, I know, but I do not like going to dinner and the people at the next table talking loudly about their “life” while I’m eating and I couldn’t care any less what their life is. Don’t even get me started, sugar.
Hope all is well with you and your sweetheart. We celebrated 54 years of marriage in June and he’s been so wonderful to me with this lung disease I can’t even tell you. Even does the housework while I go to lunch with friends.
Love and kisses,
Connie
I loved the Father Tim series, so would love to find more books in the same vein…
Sounds like a great book!! Thanks for the review!!
I do love My Mitford books so I would love to put the welcome mat out for a similar series. Thanks for sharing!
I’m looking forward to following Albert’s journey of reinvention – he sounds like someone I’d love to root for.
Thanks for being a part of the tour.