Elizabeth Strout is a phenomenal writer. There are many books lately about the covid pandemic and current events, but Lucy by the Sea felt closest to reality. Lucy Barton is surprised by the idea of lock down, quarantining, and living in Maine. William, her first husband, insists she go with him to Maine from NYC to ride out the coming year. William is a scientist and understands the late response to the new virus is going to mean more than a two week pause to stop it. Strout captures the uncertainty and upheaval well. There are a few characters from other novels in this book and that was fun to discover worlds intersecting in this story.
I adore Lucy's outlook on the world. And Strout captures perfectly how families can have a fabulous time together and then the next time feel like complete strangers to each other. She immerses you in the character and place without being overly descriptive. Elizabeth Strout understands people which is how she writes such wonderful characters. I love that Lucy is a well known writer, but she lives a simple quiet life. Strout captures the every day life in sparse prose, but yet it is profound. I always leave her books feeling as though I've visited with a dear friend.
Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for the ARC! One of the best books of 2022 for me!

I can't quite put my finger on why I love Elizabeth Strout's writing so much, but I do know I absolutely love her characters. I loved diving back into the world of Lucy Barton and William.

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

Lucy and her ex-husband William decamp to Maine when COVID strikes. This latest from Strout will likely be most meaningful to those who have read the previous novels featuring the two of them. This is, if possible, more introspective. Their daughters Chrissy and Becka and their struggles, figure, as does Bob Burgess. And so do events external to the family- George Floyd, politics, and so on. Much of this is in Lucy's head- she's a keen observer of life. It's funny in spots and sad in others but most of all, it's an interesting look at how COVID impacted this family. Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC. A good read.

What a concept! Lockdown during the pandemic, in a remote home in coastal Maine with your ex-husband. Brilliantly written, thought provoking and unforgettable; I savored every sentence. In book 4 of the Amgash series. Elizabeth Stout manages to capture the universal fears, boredom and isolation of lockdown that was familiar, relatable and honest through the experience of Lucy, As Lucy counts the days till she can return to her NYC apartment the world of Covid is very present. Lucy grapples over her relationships with her daughters, mourns the loss of her second husband., and tries to understand her feelings for her ex-husband Lucy By the Sea, left me laughing , crying and exhausted. Five strong stars for a book that made my top five of the year. Thank you Netgalley for the digital copy of Lucy at Sea.

Just finished Lucy by the Sea by Elizabeth Strout. It is such a simple and calm story on the surface, and so rich and complex underneath, and so true. I love her writing, and Lucy, and now I want to move to Maine.

It’s coming out from Random House Sept. 20.

And if you’re a writer, here’s a great bit of writing advice to follow, along with … Don’t have affairs with guys at writing conferences.

I posted on my facebook author page, Instagram, and twitter, and will leave reviews when I'm able to do so. Thank you for the early read of this extraordinary book.

• Thank you to Random House Publishing Group and NetGalley for providing this Advance Reading Copy. Expected publication date is September 20, 2022.

#StoryGraph: fiction literary reflective medium-paced
304 pages | first published 2022

It’s 2020 and COVID-19 lockdowns have just begun. Lucy and her ex-husband, William, now in his 70s, have fled New York City. They “temporarily” move to Maine. But when the virus seems to lingering on. Lucy and William make the move permanent to their secluded house, and live out their together in peace.

The pain and the loss brought on by this pandemic is clearly present throughout.

Those who have been caught up in the world of Lucy Barton will love this, but so will everyone else -- the book truly stands alone, even as it continues with Lucy's life and adventures. The story takes place at the beginning of the pandemic, when William, Lucy's ex-husband, talks her into leaving New York City and riding out Covid-19 in the remote town of Crosby, Maine (a small seaside town that will also be familiar to readers of the author's Oliver Kitteridge books). Heartfelt, thoughtful, and a complete delight to read.

For fans of the the Lucy Barton series (me! me! me!), Lucy by the Sea is a must read. Stroud delivers her signature pose -- quietly glittering with deeply personal insights about life, love, loneliness and the human condition. The reader gets a front row seat into Lucy's everyday thoughts, experiences and interactions as she and her ex-husband isolate in rural Maine during pandemic. Along the way, she comes to terms with some raw truths -- some pleasant, some painful, all powerful.

Lucy Barton is uprooted from her life in Manhattan and bundled away to a small town in Maine by her ex, as the world goes into a panicked lockdown because of Covid. Lucy and William are stuck in a small town in isolation as the world spins out of control. Can they survive emotionally as they are stuck with each other?

I didn't think I was ready for a covid pandemic novel unless it was tangential, part of the background but not the focus (like in the thriller 56 Days). But in the hands of Elizabeth Strout and her beloved character Lucy Barton? I devoured a completely character-driven story that was 100% about the experience of being in lockdown in 2020. Basically, Lucy's ex-husband William comes to her and says that this Covid thing is about to get really bad, and we should leave New York City and go to a house I rented in coastal Maine. She reluctantly agrees, thinking it'll just be for a short time (didn't we all?), and the rest of the book follows their relationship as they live together in lockdown isolation, their worry about their adult daughters, etc. It felt reflective and honest and real, and I adored the appearances of other Elizabeth Strout series characters in this one too - fun surprises. Normally character-driven isn't really for me, but a few authors can make it compulsively readable and so relatable, like Ann Patchett (maybe even Emma Straub, a bit), and most definitely Elizabeth Strout (I've loved all of the Lucy Barton books in this regard too). I will grant, though, that these are all white women writing about lifestyles that I personally can relate to, so while I find them to be illustrative of life experience and thus really illuminating through the character's reflections, this won't be the fact for everyone (and also as relates to pandemic lockdown experience - I was isolating and barely going out like Lucy in this book, but of course the experience would be so different for an essential worker, etc.). 4.5 stars

Lucy Barton is back in Elizabeth Strout’s new novel and I would give it 4 1/2 ⭐️s. Strout’s writing and storylines are different and a welcome change. Lucy and William’s story continues through the pandemic, leaving NYC for rural Maine. The pandemic is a secondary character treated with just the right amount of weight. The politics of the time is there but treated with just the right amount of weight - hardly any, except how it personally impacts characters and there are insights.

Great read - Latest book in the Amgash series. Felt so relevant… Lucy Barton and her ex-husband retreat to Maine due to the pandemic. We see the pandemic and all of the current events as seen through Lucy’s eyes. We also follow her family’s changes due to the pandemic. I enjoyed this newest installment in Lucy’s story.

Thanks to NetGalley and to Random House for the preview copy.

I am a fan of Elizabeth Strout's writing who was slightly disappointed by her last novel, "Oh William!".

Lucy by the Sea is an excellent novel, one that makes immediate connections with all who have suffered through the pandemic, with all who have had rocky marriages, with all who are parents, with those of us who are 'older' those who are leaving careers or who are looking for opportunities, with all who struggle at times with family, or struggle making and keeping friends. Strout reaches out and connects with all. Her main character is well developed and the internal dialogue touches all.

Well worth your time to read and enjoy this one!

Lucy By the Sea is the first Elizabeth Strout novel that I have read. I cannot imagine how I have missed Strout's novels, but obviously I will need to go back and read more of them. Lucy Barton has appeared in previous novels, but for reader like me, who are new to this character, Lucy By the Sea is just fine as a stand alone novel.

Lucy By the Sea is set during the first year of the pandemic. Strout's prose is thoughtful and perceptive but also direct. She does not engage in flowery descriptions. This novel was not long, and yet I feel like I know these characters well. I could not put down Lucy's story. I wanted to keep reading and get to know how these characters resolved the conflicts in their lives. For readers who may have forgotten the early year of the pandemic, Lucy By the Sea will recall the confusion and concerns that gripped the world. Strout tells this story without any of the political stresses that so many readers will recall.

I want to thank the author and Random House Publishing for providing this ARC for me to read and review. The comments above are my own thoughts. I do recommend Lucy By the Sea. And thank you to NetGalley for facilitating my access to this novel.

Elizabeth Strout has done it again with her latest in the Amgash series Lucy by the Sea. This is the story of Lucy during the beginning of the pandemic and all that experience entails. William, her ex, insists she leave NYC and stay with him in a house perched on the Maine coast. He also insists that their grown daughters leave the city for their own safety. William sees the enormity of this spreading virus before many others. Major changes, both good and bad, occur after the move. Old friends are lost, new ones are made; family dynamics change in unexpected ways. Lucy and William renew their relationship, make new friends, and welcome new family members.

The nuanced writing one comes to expect from Elizabeth Strout shines in this story. Human emotions take the forefront as the recounting of the early pandemic days when no one knew if a vaccine would be available, if masks would be permanently required and if the utter uncertainty of life could be endured. Several characters from previous books make cameo appearances which lightened the serious tale. In Elizabeth Strout's capable hands the retelling of the early pandemic is perfect in timing and reflection. Life goes on and our humanity has survived. Brava Lucy!

Thanks to NetGalley and Random House Publishing-Random House for the chance to savor Lucy by the Sea.

As with each of her previous books, Elizabeth Strout immerses us fully us into the lives of her characters, this time focusing on Lucy Barton during our recent Covid pandemic. Though this book is part of a series, it stands beautifully on its own.

Lucy, an author living in New York City, is largely unaware of the pandemic, which is growing in both size and devastation around her. William, her ex-husband and friend, concerned for her safety, packs her up and takes her to a home in Maine by the sea. There, they settle into isolation. Their grown daughters choose to stay at home.

As time goes on, Lucy wonders if she'll ever be able to return to her place in New York, if her life, or anyone's life, will ever be the same again. It pains her to be cut off from her daughters, especially when each of them face major life challenges. With little to do and a lot of time on her hands, Lucy uses the time to reassess herself, her life, and her relationships.

Full of reflection, emotion, awareness, regret, longing, heartache, depression, simple joys, and above all, love, Strout perfectly captures the pandemic experience through Lucy's eyes. Though a quiet read, it is exquisitely powerful and one I highly recommend. One of my favorite reads this year!

My thanks to Random House for allowing me to read an e-ARC of this novel vial NetGalley. Publication is set for 9/20/22. All opinions expressed in this review are my own and are freely given

an absolute new favorite. I wouldn't be surprised if this is a book of the month pick. all the stars - highly recommend

Unfortunately it just wasn't for me. I didn't realize it was part of a series, so perhaps that's where the disconnect came from.

Lucy is living in New York and her exhusband, William, shows up one day and tells her to pack a bag and bring what she needs for two weeks because they are going to Maine. She doesn't really want to go, but he tells her he is doing it to save her life. She finally packs and they head out.
It is the start of the pandemic, and this is Lucy and William's journey of leaving New York and going to Maine. It turns out to be a lot longer than two weeks. It has its up and downs, the effect the isolation has on them, and what they do to make it through this time.
The pandemic affected everyone differently, and this story is about them, their family, and all that they went through. It wasn't political, it does mention a few events that took place during this time, but this story is a continuation of Lucy's journey through life.
I received an ARC from Random House through NetGalley.

I am a bit late to the Lucy Barton fan club, having only started reading her series in the past month or so. But I think this latest installment might be my favorite one yet. In this book, we meet Lucy in the recent past, in the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic, and this is where Elizabeth Strout's skill in creating truly relatable characters really shines. In Lucy's experience of those early, uncertain days of the pandemic, I recognized myself and my own experience -- the constant worry, the fogginess of thoughts and inability to concentrate, the questioning of my sanity or my grip on reality. When her world severely contracts, Lucy is forced to focus on the essentials of life: family, friends, and thankfulness for what she has. By now we all know how things will work out with the course of the pandemic in that first year, but I thoroughly enjoyed watching Lucy navigate those months and reconcile the difficulties of her past in light of the present.