Cover Image: Oh William!

Oh William!

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Member Reviews

So we come to another visit with Lucy Barton, she who has entertained us in two previous books by giving us a wide lens view of her life. Elizabeth Strout has spent considerable time and effort to build a world around Lucy that is real enough that it almost feels like window peeping as we witness her trials and tribulations. Strout's Lucy reminds me of the characters in Fredrick Bachman's books. Just when you think the story is going no where, a door opens and we see how the story is moving Lucy into a new chapter of life. These are the books we talk about and recommend to the friends we've had for so many years that you can predict that they will love them too.

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I’m not sure how I feel about this one still. I liked it while I was reading it but I found it very forgettable. I did really like the characters and the story line.

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I hadn't realised that this was the third book in a series, but felt it was still quite good as a stand alone novel. Having said that,I am now really want to read the first to books in the 'Amgash' series.

In this story Lucy Barton is now in her early sixties and her ex-husband William has turned seventy. They are still good friends and the story is like one running narrative of Lucy's past and present relationship with William.
It feels almost like reading a diary.

The story is sad, happy, nostalgic and often quite humorous. I really enjoyed it, although I feel it will not be a book that is to everyone's taste.

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I couldn't get through this title. It ended up not being for me, but I hope it finds a hope with other readers.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC.

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DNF at 23%
I didn’t realize this was part of a series. I tried to give it a try but it’s just not for me.

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Oh, William is book is part of a series and perhaps that is why I struggled connecting with the storyline in this one. Also, not much is happening here but the premise is unique. A long divorced couple embarks on a trip together and I do like the looking back and recognizing the human flaws within themselves and not only the other person.

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Maybe I’m just uncultured but this book was boring to me and took me forever to finish because I had to force myself to finish it.

Not rating on Goodreads since a lot of people
Seem to love it and I don’t want to impact the rating.

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I love Olive so much! This was amazing and beautiful, the observations on life through Olives lense on the world is perfect.

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First the parts of this books I loved. I loved Lucy. I loved the voice Elizabeth gave to her. I loved her self-examination and the way she could see herself being an issue in the problems of her life instead of blaming everyone else. I loved the story and how Elizabeth told it. Maybe because I've been divorced and the thought of still being friends of an ex is both interesting and compelling. It's not something that everyone can achieve. I loved her relationship with her daughters even though they were not a main part of this story.

What I didn't like was the ending. I wanted to know more. Hopefully Elizabeth is going to write more about Lucy. I didn't love Lucy the same way I loved Olive. I think I expected it be more like Olive but that is silly because you also don't want a repeat of another main character.

It was a really quick read and about 75% through I couldn't put the rest down. I had to know what happens to Lucy.

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DNF at 40%
Not rating.

The Publisher sent me an unsolicited ARC, and when I accepted it, I didn’t realize it was the third book in a series.

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I hadn't realized that there are other books in this "series" even though this can be read as a standalone, I always prefer reading these in order so hoping I'll come back to this one in the future.

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Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an advanced copy.

Unfortunately, I DNF this book about 25% through. I kept skimming so decided to stop. I think I'm in the minority as most people loved it.

Possibly right book, wrong time?

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My first time reading this author. At first I found the book a little peculiar in that it was unlike anything I have read. I was written like a diary. After I got past the initial feeling of the difference, I found I truly liked it. The more I read, the more I liked it. It made me feel things I never considered and look at things differently with my new outlook. I really enjoyed the book and especially the ending. I highly recommend it.

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Not my favorite series or characters. Very quirky and difficult to follow at times. Thinking this authors style is just not my favorite.

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Another solid story by Elizabeth Strout. This book revisits characters from previous books, including the popular Lucy Barton.

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I had a tough time reading this book, not because I didn’t like it. Because I saw so many things of my childhood in it. It’s rare that I read a book that it affects me so much that way. Thank you for writing such a wonderful book!

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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