I seem to be in the minority here, but I found this book to be unreadable. The characters we tremendously unlikeable and the writing style was a slog to get through. I was skimming through by the halfway point. I get that this is literary fiction, but I remember this genre to be much more enjoyable than this.

Thank you to NetGalley and Random House Publishing Group for providing a digital copy in return for an honest, unbiased review.

When I began reading Oh William!, I wondered if it was autobiographical. Not having read any of the earlier Lucy Barton books, the first-person narrative style read like a memoir. Lucy conversed with me, drawing me in like a friend telling a story. There is mystery in William’s story, family secrets, and connection with the author. The story of affairs, other family members, and William’s surprising family history kept me wanting more. The story reads like scenes being pieced together as chapters. Above all else, Elizabeth Strout is an engaging writer.

Always a joy to read Strout's books. Lucy's first husband, William, has just found out he has a sister in Maine. He asks Lucy to accompany him, then once he's there, chickens out and makes Lucy talk to his new found sis. Strout's books are quick, easy reads and always full of meaning.

This is the third in the Amgash series by Elizabeth Strout. In her signature quiet storytelling style, she introduces us to an older Lucy Barton and her ex-husband William. This is my favorite of the 3. I am a little younger than Lucy in this story but as my kids are getting closer to leaving the nest I can relate to where Lucy is in life at this moment.

The 4th installment of this series is already published and I look forward to reading that as well.

Thank you to Random House and Netgalley for an advanced reader's copy of this book for my honest review.

Thank you to Randon House and NetGalley for the #gifted copy of the book.

I had never read this author previously. I did not realize this was a part of a series so I definitely think that having prior knowledge of the characters would have definitely helped. I loved Lucy's character and found her to be very relatable. I also liked the storyline as I love family secrets!

Oh William! Is the third installment in the Lucy Barton/Amgash series. This story has Lucy reflecting on her life, mainly the years spent with her ex husband, William. Although the two were married for awhile and even had two daughters together, they have also been divorced for a lengthy time. Despite their formal parting of ways, the pair have remained, somewhat inexplicably, in each other’s lives.

Throughout the novel, Lucy often refers to her humble beginnings and, in particular, her complicated relationship with her mother. All of these things indirectly lead her to a life with William. A man who was never great at being faithful, Lucy retrospectively recalls once begging him to stay in their marriage, before ultimately being the one to leave herself. Even though they both go on to marry other people, Lucy can’t help but feel like she needs William in her life, owing him on some level for an escape from the lesser life she once led.

But the tables are turned when it is William who asks Lucy for assistance, accompanying him on a road trip to look into a family secret. On their trip, both William and Lucy learn more about themselves, as well as about the other. As more truths are revealed, Lucy begins to gain a self awareness she only ever dreamed of having, forcing her to reexamine the thoughts (and the people) she’s held onto.

Never having read its previous installments, I went into the world of Lucy Barton blind. I had requested this book on NetGalley awhile back, not knowing it was part of a series. While it can be read as a standalone, I suppose it might resonate more with readers who had already invested in this character. However, since, I was not such a reader, I found this slice of life story rather ho hum. Decidedly, there’s also an air of superiority to some literary fiction that just isn’t for me.

I see from reading other reviews that a lot of people loved this book. I didn’t love it nor did I hate it, I’m somewhere in the middle. I actually enjoyed reading about Lucy and William and all their human imperfections. Lucy and William were married once long ago and had two daughters. From what I read between the lines, they came from difficult childhoods, especially Lucy, and had trouble communicating. Now writing that sentence I realize that could be just about any married couple.

Some years later, Lucy’s second husband has died and William is on his third marriage. That have remained friendly throughout the years supposedly for their daughters. They have been each other’s touchstones over the years when a friend was needed. As the book progresses William is in a bit of a pickle when his third wife leaves him and he is left questioning whether he is at fault in any way. Big surprise here! He then learns something about his family, especially his secretive dead mother and father and asks Lucy to accompany him on a trip to investigate.

I must insert here that by now William is not my favorite person and I am confused as to why Lucy has continued to be such a good friend to him. Some things are revealed about their marriage that make it difficult to like him. I understand that Lucy, at sixty-three years old and successful author, is still learning a lot about herself, but the average person would not be so forgiving.

As I mentioned earlier, I did enjoy a lot of the book, especially the conversations between Lucy and William. I thank NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read this book in exchange for my honest opinion. I gave it three stars.

This is my first book by Elizabeth Strout but it will not be my last! I loved her writing and the story that she constructed. Books about people facing hard truths and uncovering their past and who they were. At times it could get a bit repetitive, and I could have used a little more from the ending, but overall, I really enjoyed this and will definitely read more from her in the future!

VERDICT: 4 STARS

Thank you to RandomHouse and NetGalley for a copy of this one in exchange for an honest review!

I wanted to see this series through. One of the stories in Anything is Possible (Mississippi Mary) I can still recall vividly today. But you know, I’ve realized I’m not overly fond of Lucy. Especially not of William. The thought she’d take this trip with him doesn’t jive for me. While I love the authors writing, Lucy and I have hit the end of the line I think.

I am such a huge fan of Elizabeth Strout's writing, and Oh William didn't disappoint. While it's not my favourite in the Amgash series - I love the dimension of the multiple characters in My Name is Lucy Barton and Anything Is Possible - it was still a wonderful reading experience to be so close to Lucy. Learning about her and William's marriage added further context to Lucy's life, and I really admire how Strout ties everything together. I am so looking forward to reading Lucy By The Sea and finishing out the series.

After reading this book, I realized this is part of a series. That may explain some of the mb\amy questions I have throughout the book! Although I would say it’s not absolutely necessary to have read the previous books, it would put many things that happen in Oh, William into prospective.

Overall I enjoyed this book, the writing is excellent and I will now have to go back and read the 2 prior books. I’m looking forward to learning more about Lucy and her past.

Reading the first book probably would have helped me know the characters better and enjoy this novel more. Thank you to netgalley for the arc!

I was gifted a copy of Oh William by the publisher and I apologize for the late review. I didn't realize that the MC, Lucy, was in previous works by the author. I think if I had read those books, I would have enjoyed Oh William! even more.
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The prose is beautiful and the story is well-written and intriguing. I didn't know about the German POW camp and I found myself wanting to learn more (I went to college in Maine and my daughter currently goes - so I will plan a field trip the next time I am up there).
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I enjoyed the story, but feel it would have been more impactful if I had read the other books first (3 stars, because I felt lost at times). With that said, I would absolutely recommend it if you've read the other books related to Lucy Barton.

Strange novel but a quick read. I wondered if I needed to have read the others in the series. Appreciate the opportunity to read!

Oh, Lucy!! I love her so much!! She is one of my favorite people, I mean characters!!

Oh William! has received a bit of buzz. It is a Booker Prize Nominee for Shortlist (2022) and has been on a few best book lists for 2021. It really is that good!

I am still trying to figure out what I could say about it that has yet to be said or why it is so good! But I am going to add my two cents anyways

My two cents about Lucy Barton and Oh William

What makes Lucy Barton special

Strout writes in a quiet conversational voice as Lucy shares her fears, insecurities, joys, memories and revelations with us. It’s difficult to capture every day chatting without it awkwardly flowing or sounding busy. Strout nails it with Lucy. She catches a quiet tone to Lucy’s voice and thoughts. All I wanted to do was curl up on the couch with a glass of wine, listen to Lucy, think about the things she said, and silently add my thoughts to the conversation.

Lucy is relatable, deeply human, and easy to connect with. She is keenly observant and refreshingly honest with her feelings about the world around her, but far from perfect and reflects the human side of people, the side people often hide. She is anxious, crabby, vulnerable and quietly engages in harmless gossip and judgment.

“Oh William!” picks up a decade after “My Name Is Lucy Barton.”

Themes: aging and marriage, family secrets, where we come from

In the present day, Lucy reflects on her marriages, the things that didn’t work for them, how she felt, what they learned, how she sees things differently, secrets, and where they came from.

What I loved

Everything I mentioned about Lucy above!!

Lucy and William’s unique friendship

I highly recommend all the books in the series!!

3 stars.*

Super late to the party with this review but since I read Lucy by the Sea, I have been interested in knowing the backstory of these characters!

The 3rd in the Amgash series by Elizabeth Strout, Oh William is Lucy telling her ex-husband's life story in. her own quirky way. I enjoy the writing and the emotional way Lucy expresses herself. I still feel like I need more back story. Perhaps I should start with the first book and not the last one? haha.

*with thanks to NetGalley for the digital ARC in exchange for this honest review.

Elizabeth Strout is a favorite author. In Oh William, she explores the relationship of Lucy’s ex-husband William and how they are still connected. Strout conveys emotion with adeptness and insight. Strout understands human emotions and conveys to the reader the love that can still exist between two people who were formerly married.

I will read anything Elizabeth Strout writes - especially a novel about Lucy Barton.

The honestly that the character Lucy speaks and how she shares her inner most thoughts makes Lucy Barton so endearing. I hope that there are more stories about Lucy and the Ms. Strout isn’t finished writing them yet!

Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for this copy.

I have yet to find an Elizabeth Strout book that didn't make me fall in love with it. Her characters are full of charm and complexity, and I simply adore the heart that fills the pages of these books.

I tried to like this book. I was attracted to it by the description of the plot as uncovering a family secret. Well, it took a long time before the book actually got into the family secret, and the big reveal wasn't all that exciting after I finally got there. I didn't enjoy the author's style -- too much stream of consciousness, too much familiarity with the reader, too much jargon is what I mean (and that's an example of how she writes). The bottom line is that I found this book depressing. It's about two toxic people, neither one of whom I liked or could relate to. Maybe I'm missing something, but I was very disappointed.