People go through a huge amount of upset and tragedies in their lives. Whether it is through the loss of a loved one through sickness, or the dissolution of a marriage, or even the loss of a child, one carries the scar of this on their very soul.

We know why we suffer loss because of illness, accidents, or old age and in its way, we do understand the why. However, when a marriage ends, we at times are left wondering why. What is it that makes one believe that we once loved, but now feel so different from that emotion? Do people grow while leaving the other mate behind, or is it perhaps the idea that these two people should never have married?

Elizabeth Stout explores these and other ideas in her newest book, Oh, William, and delves into reasons marriages fail, focusing on the marriage of Lucy Barton and William. She puzzles through the concept of how our childhood, our parents, our environment shape who we are and who we eventually become and this can often be a warning disaster in a marriage’s future.

Ms Stout is able to read people well and her focus on them and their formulating years makes her story one of possibly bringing forth understanding. She makes it seem as if many of us drift through a marriage, not really knowing why a partner reacts and does what they do,

She gives credence to the idea that personalities are formed early on and only some can break through to become something different.

This book made me sad. I had such hope for Lucy and William, a couple who seemed to, even though being divorced with other marriages and infidelities in their lives, still cared for one another. Can poverty be something you can’t escape from, and leave its indelible marks upon you? Are secrets kept hidden a course through which you travel eventually finding yourself blown away by their relevance?

If you enjoy books that seem to ponder and wonder about our human nature and maybe as an end result, understand why things fail, this might be a book you are looking for.
Thanks you to Elizabeth Stout, Random House, and NetGalley for a copy of this book soon to be published on October 19, 2021.

When reading Oh William! I had no idea it was the third book in a series by Elizabeth Strout. It worked as a standalone but I kept feeling like I was missing something. The author seems to be just talking to you by sharing her thoughts about her ex-husband, children and even her parents. Now I need to read the first two books!

Interesting story by a new-to-me author about a woman, Lucy who gets reinvolved in her ex-husband William’s life. Lucy helps him discover things from his past while she remembers some things of her own. I received an ARC from NetGalley and Random House Publishing Group for my honest review.

I think I was a little lost because I hadn’t read her previous books. While her writing style wasn’t my personal favorite, I definitely enjoyed the story and the connection some have to their first loves and their family.

My Name is Lucy Barton is one of my favorite books of all-time, so I was looking forward to reading this one! It definitely did not disappoint. Elizabeth Strout writes compelling characters and her prose is beautiful.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the free e-copy.

I didn’t realize this was the third in a series, so I felt a little lost throughout this book. I’m sure it’ll be well received by the readers of this series.

Oh William! by Elizabeth Strout follows Lucy, a recent widow, and her ex-husband. whom she remained friends with, William.

Note: I didn’t realize it was the third book in a series. I just wasn’t feeling invested in the story. I think reading the first two books may have helped.

I felt I was catching up with an old friend in this 3rd installment of the Lucy Barton series. Though it had been some time since I read the first two Lucy Barton books, Strout references them, refreshing memories through the eyes of Lucy and all became familiar. Her first husband William is front and center, a quirky, often clueless yet endearing character. A beautifully written, soul-baring story of relationship and resilience.

For fans of Lucy Barton, this book will not disappoint. Lucy takes us back to her marriage- and divorce- to William, a man who was always a mystery to her, a man she loves even as she couldn't remain in the marriage. Told as if Lucy is sitting across the table from you over a cup of coffee, this book was sweet and honest and funny.

This emotional novel contains a deeper understanding of the narrator Lucy Barton's inner life and her relationship to her now-deceased mother in law, her two husbands, and her daughters. Lucy's first husband William comes to her to talk, confide in, and rely on as he faces his own aging and its catastrophes. As in the first novel, "My Name is Lucy Barton," Lucy is the sole voice here and so it is through her radiance and anxieties and traumas that we see her world and the people in it. A reader need not have read the first in the series, but together they make up a heartbreaking pair of novels that I will return to again and again. "Oh, William" is highly recommended to readers who enjoy quiet novels where plot is not the driving force.

Having read this author's other books, I was a bit disappointed with this one and found it hard to plow through.

Oh William is an excellent book with Lucy Barton once again at its center. It is a skillfully crafted book. I was immediately drawn in. Elizabeth Strout has an insightful way of presenting her books to the reader. It is a definite read.

This was just a wonderful book! I haven't read any Elizabeth Strout yet and this was such a pleasant surprise. Her ability to connect characters and draw the reader is clearly a well honed talent. Thanks so much to the publisher for a chance to read this book and provide some feedback.

I so enjoyed this sequel to "My Name is Lucy Barton."

The story, told by Lucy, is of her time directly after the death of her second husband, David. But it is not about David. It is about Lucy's friendship with her ex-husband, William, and how, together, they research and search for information about his mother and some long-lost relatives.

However, told in Strout's special style, it is still a story about Lucy and how she synthesizes each situation; how each event affects her and how it makes her feel. Readers get an intimate look at the inside of Lucy's head and heart.

All in all, it is a simple story, but Elizabeth Strout makes it special. I felt like I didn't want to stop reading.....I'm going to miss spending time with Lucy.

I'd like to thank NetGalley, Elizabeth Strout, and Random House for the advanced reader's copy in exchange for my unbiased review.

REVIEW FOR OH WILLIAM!

⭐️⭐️⭐️💫 stars

Thank you to @netgalley and @randomhouse for the #arc!

Oh William! is the most recent novel by Elizabeth Strout. It’s a follow up to My Name is Lucy Barton and Anything, featuring the titular character as the husband of Lucy Barton. Written from Lucy’s perspective, this story follows her as she acts as a continuous sounding board to her ex husband. We see them go through a variety of situations, and in a way, provides some closure to Lucy.

The book is fairly short (less than 300 pages), and is written how I’d imagine an older person would write in their diary. Lots of run on sentences, no commas or other punctuation, and overall flighty. Without reading the other books, Lucy seems to be a bit aloof and possibly has some issues as a result of her trauma. The writer is excellent; the fact she was able to write in this style and captivate the audience how she did is amazing. However, for me, it didn’t resonate. It was a quick read-but that is more due to the length of the book as opposed to it being truly captivating.

A good book for those who are fans of Strout, but not quite my cup of tea.

3 stars
Oh William is the third in this series by William Strout. It is unnecessary to read the first two prior to picking this one up but it would be helpful [full. A lot of backstory gets missed as I did not read the other two in this series. The writing and the characters are excellent. I do believe many people will adore this book.

4.5* I will always be grateful that receiving this ARC encouraged me to read the preceding 2 books in this series by Elizabeth Strout prior to reading this one. And, just like the other two, I loved it! Strout's writing makes me forget that this is fiction; it reads like a memoir where Lucy is sharing anecdotes and tidbits from her life, especially the parts of her life involving her ex-husband William. And often like a memoir, it reveals both the character's good and not-so-good qualities. Lucy is introspective and very observant, but she is also hard on herself and sometimes self-absorbed, just like many of us.
I think readers who have already read Elizabeth Strout will enjoy this new installation in her Lucy Barton series, where she digs a little deeper into Lucy's life with William and her 2 daughters and their current situations. Meanwhile, new readers will discover this gem of an author and will add her backlist to their TBRs. I do highly recommend reading the first 2 books in this series because I believe they will elevate your reading experience to get a more complete understanding of Lucy and her family.
Thank you Penguin Random House for providing me this ARC via Netgalley.

I didn't quite understand this book. The storyline was interesting. The characters were intriguing. But, The structure confused the heck out of me. It read like the ramblings of someone's journal. My guess is that this was intentional? But, for me, it just didn't work. Overall I found this book perplexing. I enjoyed it enough to keep reading, but I can't say I actually liked it.

This book is unlike anything I have ever read before. This is outside my realm of the normal books I would pick, but I absolutely loved it! The writing style of this novel was stunning. Lucy openly addressed the reader throughout the novel. It really felt like you were having a conversation with your next door neighbor.

My only wish is that Lucy could have found her own way to break apart from William. At some point, I feel like he wasn't there for her in the best way and that William needed to learn the lesson that he was always looking for love in the wrong place but that Lucy was always the woman he needed!!

Strout did a wonderful job bringing Lucy's world to life for me! I highly suggest this book! It was a quick, enjoyable read that was extremely through provoking!

Thank you to Netgalley and Random House for the ARC!

Lucy has recently lost her dear husband, David. Her ex-husband is still a friend of hers. Together in this story, they explore the past and attempt to find some peace with things that have happened. This is the third book of a series, but also reads well as a stand alone book. I enjoyed the story.