I think I “discovered” Elizabeth Strout in 2016 when “My Name is Lucy Barton” was longlisted for the Booker Prize. So, I was a bit late to the party, but I set about doing some catching up. I’ve not yet read all her books, but I have thoroughly enjoyed all those I have read. This includes all the books which feature Lucy Barton.

Strout has a way of writing that appears very simple but which often penetrates to the heart of the matter in just a few words. Here, in this new book she is concerned with the “unrecorded lives around her” as Lucy and Olive Kitteridge (properly together in a novel) tell one another stories. “Everywhere in the world people led their lives unrecorded” we read and Lucy and Olive set about remedying that: several times in the novel the two of them sit together and tell stories of people they have known. And these stories form a kind of background for the events that unfold in Lucy’s life and the lives of those around her. We read mainly about Lucy’s friendship with Bob Burgess and about Bob’s involvement in a murder investigation as he takes one of the suspects under his wing. But there’s a lot of other stuff swirling around. It can be tricky at times to keep track of all the characters, but I think part of the point is that everyone’s life interacts with, and affects, a lot of other people’s lives.

If you’ve read the other Lucy Barton novels, then this is, I think, a “must read”. If you haven’t read them, I wouldn’t recommend starting here. In fact, if you haven’t read any of the novels you have a treat in store because I would think you need to read at least “Olive Again” and the three main previous Lucy Barton novels (“My Name is Lucy Barton”, “Oh, William” and “Lucy by the Sea”) before reading this. You don’t have to do that, of course, but this book will be a lot richer and more powerful if you do.

My thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this ARC.

"People," Lucy said quietly, leaning back. "People and the lives they lead. That's the point".
"Exactly," Olive nodded.

If you've met me, or have been following me for a while, you'll know Elizabeth Strout is one of my favourite authors of all time. Particularly in Lucy Barton, she has created one of my beloved characters of all time, one I return to again and again like an old friend. This latest novel, publishing in September, is set in the same world as her past books, finally brings together her most popular characters, the patient, wounded yet hopeful Lucy and the full time gas bitch Olive Kiterage.

Lucy is still living in Maine since her ex husband William persuaded her to leave New York at the start of the pandemic, and has settled into her life in the small town with her new best friend Bob Burgess. She is introduced to the cantankerous Olive, now living in the local retirement home, who wants to tell the famous Lucy a story, obstensibly so she can use it in one of her books. From there, the two women meet and talk about so many of the people they have known and the stories they've heard and despite their clashing personalities bond over their wonder and admiration for human life in all its forms. Every story is important in its own way, just as every human life is so wonderfully special too.

If you're looking for an "exciting" book, I don't think this is the book for you (though I read it at a serious page, and I can tell you I don't very excited!). This novel has more of a plot than others through a case ex lawyer Bob gets involved in, but this is another, wonderful, quietly moving novel from Strout that is a joy to read though not much "happens". More than anything else, these books are just about ordinary people and the lives they lead, and about the everyday secrets and sadness the most unlikely people hold.

If you've never read Strout, lucky you! I am jealous of anyone coming to these beautiful books for the first time. However, this is definitely not the place to start. I'd recommend all the Lucy and Olive books first and I'd wished I'd read The Burgess Boys in advance too. Still, that just makes me delighted that I have more to read!

'Tell Me Everything' is another supremely wise, compassionate and pleasurable novel which features characters from all of Elizabeth Strout's previous novels.

The novel is mainly set in Crosby, Maine, and picks up slightly after where 'Lucy by the Sea' left off. Lucy Barton and her ex-husband William are still living together in their house by the sea. The novel is punctuated by Lucy's visits to 91-year-old Olive Kitteridge in her care home and the stories they tell each other - stories about love, about loneliness and about 'people and the lives they lead'. We also see the growing closeness between Lucy and Bob Burgess as they share stories about themselves and others on their regular walks together.

Unlike Strout's previous two novels ('Oh, William!' and 'Lucy by the Sea'), 'Tell Me Everything' is written in the third person - but with the intimacy of a narrator who is a close friend with all their characters. It is arguably Bob who is this novel's focal point. As Lucy observes, Bob is a 'sin eater' - someone who is always trying to take on others' problems - and we follow his complex relationship with his older brother Jim as Jim's wife Helen becomes ill, as well as his relationships with his ex-wife Pam and his current wife Margaret and his growing feelings for Lucy. As a criminal defence attorney, Bob also becomes involved in the case of Matt Beach, an isolated man who falls under suspicion for the murder of his elderly mother.

Anyone who has enjoyed a previous novel by Strout is sure to love 'Tell Me Everything' too - in some ways it feels like a 'greatest hits' novel, featuring so many of her most lovable characters (in addition to those mentioned above, the novel includes an adult Katherine Caskey from 'Abide With Me' and an elderly Isabelle Goodrow from 'Amy and Isabelle') and so many profound insights about 'unrecorded lives'. I really enjoyed getting to spend more time with Lucy and Bob in particular as they are both such unusually sincere characters. In spite of the many joys of reading Strout, this is not simply cosy reading as she once again confronts some of the darkest aspects of human existence, including repeated explorations of different forms of sexual abuse - but she always manages to find cause for hope. Nor is this novel simply retreading old ground as it offers new reflections on different aspects of growing older and on friendship. I was delighted to read this novel and it made me long to hunker down with all of Strout's previous novels and re-read them all before returning to this. Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for sending me an ARC to review.

Loved this book so much. The conversational way its written is absolutely wonderful. You feel like you're sitting at the side of these people who are having conversations that seem so realistic. Alongside all these chats is a story of an elderly woman who went missing and how her son is a bit odd and perhaps, has done something to her. Along comes Bob Burgess, a criminal lawyer with his own sad past who thinks he can help Matt, the son of the missing woman. As it goes on, we find out more and more about the people in the town and you feel like you are part of the community. I loved this book. fully recommend! Beautifully written!

Olive Kitteridge and Lucy Barton in the same novel. What joy! But it's really about another character, Bob Burgess. It's a love story and it's about hope and about wanting to make your mark.
And it's another wonderful Elizabeth Strout novel.

Tell Me Everything" by Elizabeth Strout cleverly brings together characters from her previous novels. I found it had more action and intrigue, especially the "will they, won't they" romance. It’s a compelling read, if not totally satisfying read.

Despite being a short novel with a lot of characters, Strout has a talent for swiftly colouring each personality. It’s particularly evident in her portrayal of Bob Burgess, a refreshing change from the many crappy male characters I tend to read. Spending time with Bob is a pleasure.

Thank you to NetGalley for providing an advance copy for review.

This is only the second book I have read by this author, the previous being Oh! William. Lucy Barton and William are living in Maine. Bob Burgess is there too. These are characters from previous books in the series. It's a story full of stories. Not much going on but it sort of compels the reader to carry on. Clever writing. Not sure that I will catch up on the earlier books, or read anything that might follow.

The way Elizabeth Strout involves you in the lives of her characters is an incredible achievement. She is a real talent.

I can definitely see the appeal of Elizabeth Strout's books and the recurring characters within. I've only read a few so don't have the same warm hug and familiarity as many readers do but I appreciate the writing. "Tell Me Everything" is the latest in her books and I like that it is full of little stories about everyday life. I had to be in the mood to read it and I think I might just go back and start at the beginning of her oeuvre.

A cast of familiar names come together in this latest Elizabeth Strout oeuvre. If you want to know what happened to Olive Kitteridge and Lucy Barton - and don't forget those Burgess boys - then this is where you will find the answers. A murder mystery and some new characters ensure that this is well worth the read.

A novel where all of Strout's stories converge, where Olive Kitteridge becomes friends with Lucy Barton who had meanwhile, along with William, moved to Bob Burgess' neck of the woods. I had the feeling of being at a dinner party of dear friends. Very nice though not overwhelming, more of a sunset than a high noon.

Un romanzo dove convergono tutte le storie della Strout, dove Olive Kitteridge diventa amica di Lucy Barton che nel frattempo, assieme a William, si era trasferita dalle parti di Bob Burgess. Ho avuto la sensazione di trovarmi ad una cena di cari amici. Molto bello anche se non travolgente, piú un tramonto che un mezzogiorno di fuoco.

I received from the Publisher a complimentary digital advanced review copy of the book in exchange for a honest review.

Wow I am so happy to see Lucy and Olive in one town one place. Hard to say how much I enjoyed this book, I love Lucy and Olive and the men well they are lucky to have one hour in their presence!!

Elizabeth Stroud has a way of taking us into the lives of the most ordinary people but making them extraordinary. Beautifully told.

Thoroughly enjoyed this, where we meet characters such as Lucy Barton, William, Bob Burgess, Olive Kitteridge and more. Strout makes us feel like we know them well already, and having read earlier books, I certainly feel like I do.
At first, I was a bit worried that the story arc was a bit contrived to bring together characters from other books, but you don’t think that as the book progresses. I love the setting of the book between Crosby and Shirley Falls in Maine. I need to google if these are real places, I’d love to visit, but then I’d be one of the tourists that Bob doesn’t particularly like.
For most of the book, I was thinking there is no real story to the book, but actually it’s all brought together in a meaningful way in the latter half of the book, which brings out all the feels.
The book is published in 19th September in Ireland, and earlier in other places. I read an advance copy via Netgalley with thanks to @vikingbooksuk @penguinbooksireland #gifted

The continuing saga of Olive Kitteridge, Lucy Barton and friends has the usual tension, passion and variation.
The main characters are by the laws of nature getting older giving the reader insights into how older minds work.
Events include a murder, suicide, love stories, terrible accidents, fallings out, revelations, discoveries and remembrances.
Although the events in this episode are in places somewhat slower than in previous books the tension is present throughout.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

Once again Elizabeth Strout takes us into the ordinary lives of everyday people and somehow makes them innately fascinating. Olive Kitteridge is now elderly and living in a nursing home in Crosby, Maine. She hasn’t changed from the fierce woman who speaks her mind, but seems content with her best friend Isabelle to talk to every day and visits from Bob Burgess. One day she tells Bob she wants to meet his friend, the writer Lucy Barton, as she has a story to tell her. That is the start of a sort of friendship between Lucy and Olive, where they tell each other stories, often gentle, unremarkable ones, of what they come to call ‘undocumented lives’. Stories of love and loss, friendship and loneliness that happen to ordinary people, just living their everyday lives.

The events happen over the course of a year with the turning of the seasons heralding changes in the people and their relationships. The novel revolves around Bob Burgess and his friendship with Lucy Barton as well as with Matt, a man accused of killing his mother. Along the way, there are conflicts, revelations, unresolved issues within families, love lost and found. All displayed in Strout’s intimate and immersive style with love and poignancy.

I was so thrilled to get the opportunity to read Tell Me Everything and found it a real comfort to be back in Crosby, Maine with a host of familiar characters. It’s very difficult to do justice to an Elizabeth Strout novel in a review, her style of writing is unique- simple and yet profound and I’m in awe of it every time I read one of her books. She captures so much in a few words and once again I was completely drawn into the world of Lucy, Bob, Olive and others. It is very much a character based novel, focused on relationships with a few very loose plot lines. It’s a very contemplative novel which reflects on issues including childhood trauma and loneliness. Even if you haven’t read the author’s previous novels this works well as a standalone. Highly recommended.
Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read and review this digital ARC.
4.5 stars

The story revisits characters we have met in the authors previous novels set in a seaside town in Maine. I had read seven of the previous novels and it was like meeting old friends however I think the book could equally well be read as a standalone novel.
The author has such a unique voice. I would know I was reading one of her books just from picking a random page.
The sections from the pandemic were particularly poignant I liked the way that she didn’t dwell on them, but rather introduced little vignettes in a positive way
I loved the little cameo characters the woman who had seen years ago after a funeral as a child through a car window then met years and years later and hug every time they meet
The book touches on issues such as loneliness in a subtle nuanced way the book is really stories of ordinary mundane life , because of this you instantly identify with the characters. I would recommend this book to those who like a primarily character or relationship based novel if you have enjoyed her previous novels then you will love this one too.

I read an early copy of the novel on NetGalley UK. The book is published in the UK on the 19th of September 2024 by Penguin General UK.

This review will appear on NetGalley UK, Goodreads, and my book blog bionicSarahSbooks.wordpress.com. After publication it will also appear on Amazon UK

Last year I was sad to wave goodbye to Elizabeth Strout’s Amgash serious but was fortunate enough to get to meet Olive Kitteridge next.

Here are two fascinating literary characters not easily forgotten and I loved every single book in both series.

Now imagine my glee when I found out that Strout’s upcoming Tell Me Everything marries the two and ta-daaa: we have a book in which Lucy and Olive finally meet. I mean what could possibly be better?

Yes, Olive is still cantankerous Olive and Lucy is also very much the same, but their blossoming friendship is beautiful to witness. And of course, there’s so much more.

If you love Strout’s books, this one won’t disappoint. I’m so grateful to #NetGalleyBooks for my early eARC and so sad, that I now don’t have anything else to look forward to… yep, my love for these books is real.

Another classic from Elizabeth Strout featuring Olive Kitteridge and her eclectic mix of friends and their families. Bob Burgess has landed himself a case defending a man accused of murdering his mother. This brings to the fore his feelings about accidentally killing his own father as a child. Bob and Lucy Barton take walks and tell each other their stories. Lucy also spends afternoons with Olive and they too tell stories. This essentially is what this book is about, the stories of our lives…..”unrecorded lives” as Olive describes them.
These characters are a delight even with or maybe because of all their flaws. A must read.

Thanks to NetGalley.co.uk and the publishers for this ARC in exchange for this honest review.