I read this book in early October. I read Lucy by the Sea and Tell Me Everything, later books by Elizabeth Strout, in November.
I have loved all the books that feature Lucy Barton. But I find it very hard to review them. For one thing, each story moves Lucy to a new place in her life, and that was why I read the books in order and did not read any reviews of the books until I had read the book. In My Name is Lucy Barton, Lucy tells of one event in her life while she is married to William, and I really disliked him in that story. In each succeeding novel about their relationship I grew to understand him and Lucy more. The books are all about relationships, and in this book and the next two books are also about relationships and aging.
At the beginning of Oh William!, Lucy's second husband, David, had died about a year earlier. They had been married five years, and she misses him very much. Lucy talks about her marriage to David a bit, but most of the story focuses on her previous marriage to William, which lasted about twenty years, and their relationship since then. William was an only child, and very close to his mother. So Lucy and William and their two daughters spent a lot of time with her. After having a paternity test, William learns things about his mother that he did not know.
The writing style that Elizabeth Strout uses in the books focused on Lucy Barton drew me into the story. It feels like Lucy is talking to the reader. Some of her other books are more a sequence of related stories, and the style in those seems different to me, although they are just as compelling to read.
If you liked My Name is Lucy Barton, you would probably like this too. Anything is Possible also has stories related to Lucy Barton.
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Publisher: Random House, 2022 (orig. publ. 2021)
Length: 240 pages
Format: Trade Paperback
Series: Amgash series
Setting: USA
Genre: Fiction
Source: I purchased my copy in 2024.
This is really interesting, Tracy. I haven't read any of the Lucy Barton books, but they sound appealing. I like the fact that the series traces Lucy's life over time; I think that does help the reader really get to know the characters better. And I think it's interesting that you've gotten different perspectives on those characters as time has gone on.
ReplyDeleteMargot, I like these books so much I want to reread them all.
DeleteShe is definitely a favorite of mine. (And Megan's)
ReplyDeletePatti, I have enjoyed reading all three of the most recent books from Strout closely together. Now I need to get back to the earlier books that I haven't read.
DeleteSo glad you enjoyed this one! It's been on my TBR list for awhile now. Maybe next year I'll finally get around to reading it.
ReplyDeleteLark, I think you will enjoy it when you get to it. Have you read anything else by Strout?
DeleteThese books are available through my Libby, so I might have to give the first one a try at some point.
ReplyDeleteKelly, The first book I read by Strout was Olive Kitteridge, and I found it a difficult read and depressing. Yet by the time I finished the book, I liked it. From that point on, I liked every book that I read by her.
DeleteGlad you liked Strout's books. I have read these three as well and it seems Oh William had more random thoughts in it (about marriages etc) then the other two books after -- which seemed to have more plot. Here are my thoughts of Oh William at https://www.thecuecard.com/movies/deck-the-halls/
ReplyDeleteSusan, that is a very good review of Oh William! I know I checked out your review of one of the books in this series, so it must have been Lucy by the Sea. That one really surprised me (the book, not your review). I wish I had more of Strout's books left to read. I think I have only the first two she wrote to read.
DeleteI love how much my TBR pile grows because of you.
ReplyDeleteThat is very kind of you to say, Ryan. I hope you try out something by Strout if you haven't yet.
DeleteHope you are having a Merry Christmas Tracy. I got stuck on the idea that in order to read Eluzabeth Strout I must start with Olive Kitteridge. But after a few chapters the book wasn't clicking for me. But someone suggested starting with Olive Again and that is what I will do in the new year.
ReplyDeleteKathy, I think Strout said that you can start reading the books anywhere. I don't agree with that, at least as far as the ones about Lucy Barton are concerned. But it would not hurt to try getting started with Olive Again. Or maybe The Burgess Boys would work as a starting place.
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