Unusual writing style, bu I enjoyed it. The think, as an ex+wife, she was very understanding of William and I felt her true love was her second husband.

In the third installment of Lucy Barton by Elizabeth Strout, we once again follow Lucy as she embarks on a trip with her ex-husband William and we learn more about William’s life, childhood and some secrets from his mother’s past.

I find the audiobooks for Lucy Barton (or all of Elizabeth Strout’s audiobooks as they are all narrated by Kimberly Farr who is fantastic) really relaxing and there’s something about Lucy and how she sees and responds to people that feels very real and relatable.

This is very much achievable character focused book rather than plot and the timeline meanders back and forth as Lucy focuses on her trip with William to visit his older sister, and also on her past with William and her relationship with his mother. We also see glimpses of Lucy’s girls and the lovely bond she has with her now grown up daughters who are trying for families of their own.

There’s not much I can say about this series except that with each book, it feels like having lunch with a friend. There’s something very warm and open about Lucy even in the ways she closes herself up sometimes and thinks so little about herself. These books are very comforting and I highly recommend them.

Another knock out consideration of loss and relationships. Lucy continues on her journey and Strout takes us along with her as she tries to work out her feelings for William and his past. Strout takes us into the mind and thoughts of Lucy, some thoughts will have you giggling and others will have you nodding with understanding and recognition. This is a quiet series of novels considering our inner most thoughts.

Loved everything Elizabeth Strout wrote and this one wasn't the exception Such an emotional read....Big thnx to the publisher for granting me a copy in exchange of my honest review.

As an avid Elizabeth Strout fan, it was brilliant to read this and am grateful for the advance copy! I loved reading about Lucy at a more mature stage in her life as she reaches her advanced years, and thought the novel very deftly considered the complexities of former loves, as well as family dynamics. Although the writing style is simple, Strout does simple excellently, and for that, the Lucy Barton series is one of my favourites.

I loved this book. This so thoughtful and wonderful. I love the characters. I am a huge fan of the authors writing. Perfect book for fans of character based books

Due to a sudden, unexpected passing in the family a few years ago and another more recently and my subsequent (mental) health issues stemming from that, I was unable to download this book in time to review it before it was archived as I did not visit this site for several years after the bereavements. This meant I didn't read or venture onto netgalley for years as not only did it remind me of that person as they shared my passion for reading, but I also struggled to maintain interest in anything due to overwhelming depression. I was therefore unable to download this title in time and so I couldn't give a review as it wasn't successfully acquired before it was archived. The second issue that has happened with some of my other books is that I had them downloaded to one particular device and said device is now defunct, so I have no access to those books anymore, sadly.

This means I can't leave an accurate reflection of my feelings towards the book as I am unable to read it now and so I am leaving a message of explanation instead. I am now back to reading and reviewing full time as once considerable time had passed I have found that books have been helping me significantly in terms of my mindset and mental health - this was after having no interest in anything for quite a number of years after the passings. Anything requested and approved will be read and a review written and posted to Amazon (where I am a Hall of Famer & Top Reviewer), Goodreads (where I have several thousand friends and the same amount who follow my reviews) and Waterstones (or Barnes & Noble if the publisher is American based). Thank you for the opportunity and apologies for the inconvenience

A new Elizabeth Strout novel is always a treat. I enjoyed spending time with Lucy Barton and her ex husband William again. They have remained friends, they are parents to adult daughters, and both remarried. Now William invites her on a trip with him. Lucy newly widowed, and her complicated family history and genuine fondness for William's family inform much of this short novel as William wrestles with family secrets. It was not my favourite Strout novel, but is full of her customary understanding of the complexities of what it is to be human. Insightful and poignant.

The story begins with Lucy receiving a letter from William, who tells her that he is dying. Lucy is shocked and saddened by the news, and she travels to Maine to be with him. As she spends time with William, Lucy reflects on their marriage and their lives together. She remembers the good times and the bad, and she comes to terms with the fact that William is going to die.
I loved the way Strout explored the complex emotions of her characters. She did a great job of capturing the pain of loss, the joy of love, and the complexity of human relationships.
I also appreciated the way Strout used memory to tell the story. The novel is full of flashbacks and memories, and they help to create a rich and textured portrait of Lucy and William's relationship.
Overall, I thought Oh William! was a beautiful and moving novel. It's a book that I would definitely recommend to others.

I struggle with Lucy Barton - I’m not a fan.
I can appreciate the writing in this but I’m afraid it just wasn’t for me. I think I missed the point! I’m sorry, I hope others enjoy it more.

Sorry for the delay in reviewing this fabulous book, new author to me, but she had me engaged and turning pages with great interest. Great characters and steady pace of story telling.

A gently unsettling read, which reflects the unsettling developments in Lucy Barton’s life and that of her ex-husband William. No spoilers, but Lucy and William each discover truths about their past and events which have shaped them.

As ever, the writing is beautiful and understated, but compelling. I didn’t ‘love’ this book, but did deeply appreciate it.

A lovely book with beautiful writing. I'm not sure this is quite the genre I would normally go for and I find it a bit challenging to get into but I can definitely appreciate the beautiful writing here. This is one that I think I can definitely recommend to others who enjoy this style!

As always, such a short book, but full of elegance, empathy and substance. You slow down to think about beautifulyy written wisdoms, again and again. What a wonderful author Elizabeth Strout is. I loved it that we had yet another chance to spend some time with Lucy Barton.

I really enjoyed this book. It was interesting, very amusing. I will certainly look out for more from this author.
It's not my usual type of book as I read thrillers, and murder mysteries and horror. But this one sounded amusing and it certainly came up trumps with me. A really good warm hearted read.

REVIEW: Oh William! By Elizabeth Strout

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

I absolutely adored this book. Strout is an exquisite writer and this book was no exception.

This evocative book reads like an internal monologue. We’re brought back to known and beloved character Lucy and her relationship with his ex husband, and father of her child, William.

A book centred around characters and complex relationships, I really appreciated how it dealt with grief, friendship, family and the sense of oneself.

A literary fiction masterpiece, it’s no surprise it was shortlisted for the Booker!

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Elizabeth Strout is a fabulous writer,  I greatly admire her work but i find her books sometimes downright depressing as she gets to the bottom of human struggles,  despair and emotions through her colorful characters. 

But " Oh William" which was shortlisted for the Booker Prize in 2022 , I absolutely loved!  William is Lucy Barton's first husband, the father of her daughters, with whom she is still friends. William has just been left by his second wife and Lucy's beloved second husband has just passed away.

 Their shared loneliness intensifies their memories, thoughts and exchanges. It is an absolutely brilliant book, Lucy's voice so clear as she reflects on her past, upbringing and the failure of her marriage to William. I really felt for her, as she tries to makes sense of what shaped her life and her marriages.  Strout's writing is an absolute treat. 

Five stars from me !

"Oh William!" by Elizabeth Strout is a poignant and heart-wrenching novel that delves into the complexities of human relationships and the power of forgiveness. The story follows William, a middle-aged man struggling with the aftermath of a tragic event in his past, and his relationship with his sister, Mary.

Strout's writing is beautiful and evocative, capturing the raw emotions of the characters in a way that is both relatable and powerful. The novel is a slow burn, with the tension and complexity of the characters' relationships slowly building to a powerful and satisfying conclusion.

One of the most striking aspects of the novel is the way Strout explores the idea of forgiveness and the impact it can have on one's life. The novel is a powerful reminder of the importance of empathy and understanding in our interactions with others.

Overall, "Oh William!" is a must-read for fans of literary fiction. Strout's writing is masterful and the characters are richly drawn and deeply relatable. It is a novel that will stay with you long after you have finished reading it.

Oh William! by Elizabeth Strout is the third book in her Lucy Barton series.

Skillfully capturing the nature of human interaction and relationships, in this instalment, Lucy comes to terms with revelations from her past which reframe how she thinks about her former life.

A relaxing pace with the feeling of a grandma sharing family stories. Can be read as a standalone but much richer in the context of the full series.

Strout is always reliable and this novel shines. Although it can be read as a standalone story, I appreciated the links to previous novels for those readers who are fans of her work. Very much looking forward to Lucy By the Sea.