Unfortunately, I didn't click with this book. Shortly before starting Oh William, I started to read My Name is Lucy Barton and didn't know it was at all related to Oh William. I did not finish My Name is Lucy Barton because the writing style was not something I could get with. The same goes for Oh William. I'm sure the die-hard Elizabeth Strout fans will get it and enjoy it, but I feel like I've walked into a room with two people in the middle of a deep conversation I'm not supposed to listen to. Oh, well...

I received an advance digital copy of this book from Netgalley and the publisher in exchange for an honest review! The book is set to be released on October 19th, 2021.

Such a fun, charming, harrowing and emotional journey of a book. All the feels here. Elizabeth Strout writes so well, I just can't get enough. Thank you!

Yeah I started reading this and it’s definitely not up my alley at all. I ended up DNFing it because of how bored I was

This story follows the kind and tender Lucy, introduced in I am Lucy Barton, a book I loved! In this novel, Lucy, in memoir form, describes her relationship with her first husband, William. Lucy reflects on William, their relationship, his strengths, and the quirks that make her crazy. Her insights are so real that it is hard to remember that this is a work of fiction.

The story takes place after Lucy’s second husband’s death and just after William’s third wife leaves him. They are both at a vulnerable time in their lives and they lean on each other to navigate their individual paths ahead. The book culminates in a trip to Maine where Lucy helps William process a new revelation he has discovered about his family.

Similar to Elizabeth Strout’s triumph with I am Lucy Barton, this novel is so real and so easy to read, almost conversational, that it is hard to leave the story for any reason. Lucy’s insights into William are poignant and relatable. At its heart, this novel is about tenderness, human interaction, and the love of family. Elizabeth’s writing style is as easy to read as it is beautiful. I highly recommend it! Thank you to NetGalley for the early release copy. This book will be released on October 19, 2021.

Elizabeth Strout is a master storyteller. She writes with so much authenticity. This book is no exception. Her characters are written with honesty and heart. I couldn't get enough of this book.

Whenever Elizabeth Strout writes a new book, I am always first in line to read it. I thoroughly enjoyed my name is Lucy Barton and I was eager to have Lucy’s story continue on as her life journey brought her into her senior years. This story is about Lucy’s relationship with her
ex-husband and her two daughters. It is also a life reflection that Lucy makes about her own life.
Whenever I read this author’s books, I feel like I am listening to her speaking directly to me. This was a most enjoyable ending to the Lucie Barton story line. I have read many of this author’s novels and I have never been disappointed. Thank you Netgalley for an ARC of this book.

This is my first Elizabeth Strout book so I had no expectations. I looked forward to an interesting story and enjoyable writing. I wasn't disappointed in the story but I can't say I enjoyed the story. The story read more like a movie script possibly set in the seventies. I could see it play out as I read. Very intellectual dialogue and well educated characters. I'm sure fans of Strout will enjoy Oh William!
I voluntarily received a copy of this book from NetGalley.

I loved this novel. Elizabeth Stroufht has a way with words that is soothing wise, and poetic. A novel about a broken family in both turmoil and triumph. A wonderful compelling novel from a master storyteller.

This was my first Elizabeth Strout novel. I read about 1/4 of the book and unfortunately haven’t been able to finish it. I know it is the third in a trilogy, which could be the reason I wasn’t able to dive right into this one. Many thanks to the publisher for an advanced reader copy.

In Oh William, Elizabeth Strout gives the world yet another masterpiece exploring human emotions and relationships. In this third installment about Lucy Barton we dive deeper into her first marriage, and her life between when she left home and before she became an author. It explores the complex relationship between Lucy, William and their daughters. It also walks us through Lucy's grieving process since her second husband has died, as well as family secret that causes William to rethink much of his life as well. As usual, Elizabeth Stout takes us on a journey of discovery that is poignant and heartfelt. Strout has the ability to convey so much meaning and emotion with such clear, straightforward language. She does not need long passages of dialogue and fancy prose. She simply tells the story and in doing so allows the reader to relate and connect with the characters and their lives.
In the end this is a novel about humanity; about love and loss, being broken and finding new ways to live and move forward after your entire life seems to change in an instant. It explores what it means to love another, and also to love yourself. It is a wonderful piece of fiction that is a short quick read, but will stay with you forever.

There is just something about the way Elizabeth Strout writes. It’s a pleasure and a joy to read. Simply eloquent and beautifully said, that’s the way she writes, and, she grabs me with these simply stated sentences. I love Lucy Barton, and I love the way she looks at life and I love the way she sees things. Ms. Strout is a wonderful author. More Lucy Barton books, please! Thank you to Netgally and Penguin Random House for the egalley. This book is a treasure!

I really enjoyed this novel. As she did in Olive Kitterige, Elizabeth Strout crafted interesting characters and relationships. Reading the book felt like peeling back the layers of the main character and her family members' stories. The tone and pacing of the book were just right. While poignant, it was not depressing and I was highly engaged throughout. Thank you to Net Galley and Penguin Random House for the ARC of this book.

Elizabeth Strout brings us the story of Lucy and William. This is the third book in Elizabeth Strout's Amgash series. Lucy shares with the reader her story about her life from the beginning. She tells us about her relationship with William, her ex-husband and all that they have gone through from their time in college, their marriage, their children, and their divorce. Through it all, they have remained in each other's lives. William asks her to go with him on a trip after discovering something from his past.

We learn more about Lucy and William as the years have gone by and how their choices have shaped the decisions in their lives. I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own. I would like to thank NetGalley and the Senior Marketing Manager of Random House for this privilege.

Elizabeth Strout has done it again! I always look forward to another novel in the Shirley Falls web, and this one does not disappoint. All of Strout's narrators have an incredible voice, but Lucy Barton is an extra treat. I absolutely gulped this down, while simultaneously trying to savor it. It is a slim and quiet story, but there is incredible depth of emotion told in these vignettes. Fans of Olive Kittredge, The Burgess Boys, and of course I am Lucy Barton will not be disappointed. I was thrilled to read an ARC of Oh William! through NetGalley. [Posted on Goodreads]

I absolutely DEVOURED this book. I've been in a reading slump, and it was just what I needed. Strout's characters have such unique, recognizable voices, and Lucy carries you along through her narrative in such an intriguing way. Really interesting view of the different layers of relationships, how they make us who we are, and how intertwined we all are—whether we like it or not!

I really wanted to like and love this book more than I did given the author's previous books especially, My Name is Lucy Barton. But this book was all over the place and it just could not hold my interest. It is not good when a plot has no point and the story is going nowhere. Unfortunately, this book was not for me and I cannot recommend it. Hoping her next book is better. This one is better as a coaster for my cocktail.

Thanks to Netgalley, Elizabeth Strout and Random House Publishing Group Random House division for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Available: 10/19/21

Couldn't quite get into this and figure out the reason for the story' I saw who wrote it and really liked her other books is why I choose to read it and finished reading.

Oh William! I am a fan and have enjoyed reading Elizabeth Stout's books. I love the characters and their stories. In this novel, Lucy Barton narrates the story of her ex husband. They have remained friends after their divorce. After receiving a membership for a ancestry finder from his 3rd wife, William and Lucy go on a discovery trip to learn more about his family and specifically his half sister.
Oh William! Oh Lucy! Oh Everyone! "We all have mysteries. This may be the only thing in the world I know to be true."
Thanks NetGalley for this book! It is a good one!

I really wanted to like this book as I love Elizabeth Strout's writing. While portions of the book kept me involved, most of the novel dragged, making the same points over and over again. Lucy Barton is not my favorite character anyway and her relationship with William mystified me. Life is tough, not everyone does what we want them to do, get over it! Sorry to be so negative. I received an advance copy of the book and am posting a review of my own feelings upon reading it.

ucy Barton returns in Elizabeth Strout's "Oh William!" in a narrative that rambles and meanders its way in every direction before finishing with a fairly unsatisfying conclusion. We're left to wonder why Lucy and William ever married in the first place.

A lot of time has passed since I read Lucy's self-titled novel. I remember enjoying that book and over-identifying with Barton, who grew up poor and not feeling well-loved by her family. In "Oh William!" Strout's Lucy Barton just wants to tell us two things about William, her former husband. We got sidetracked so often by comments about her second husband, now deceased, and her former mother-in-law, no deceased, that I almost forgot what two things she wanted to tell us.

Lucy's narrative often is contradictory and seemingly pointless. There are points, though. In helping William to navigate a family he barely knew he had, Lucy discovers a few things about herself and her relationship with William.

I'm just not sure the journey was entirely worth the discovery.

#NetGalley #OhWilliam

This review is posted on Facebook and Facebook groups 52 Books; Books, Brews and Bibliophiles Too; and The Book Club Girls.