The Romantic (2003) is the sixth novel by Canadian novelist and short story writer Barbara Gowdy.
[1] Louise Kirk learns about love and loss at an early age.
When she is nine years old, her former beauty queen mother disappears, leaving a note that reads only - and incorrectly - "Louise knows how to work the washing machine."
Louise's immediate devotion to the exotic, motherly Mrs. Richter is quickly transferred to her nature-loving, precociously intelligent son."
From this childhood friendship evolves a love that will bind Louise and Abel for the rest of their lives.