Oh William!
By Elizabeth Strout
- Release Date: 2021-10-19
- Genre: Literary Fiction
Description
NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER • BOOKER PRIZE FINALIST • The Pulitzer Prize–winning author of Olive Kitteridge and My Name is Lucy Barton explores the mysteries of marriage and the secrets we keep, as a former couple reckons with where they’ve come from—and what they’ve left behind.
ONE OF THE TEN BEST BOOKS OF THE YEAR: Maureen Corrigan, NPR’s Fresh Air
“Elizabeth Strout is one of my very favorite writers, so the fact that Oh William! may well be my favorite of her books is a mathematical equation for joy. The depth, complexity, and love contained in these pages is a miraculous achievement.”—Ann Patchett, author of The Dutch House
I would like to say a few things about my first husband, William.
Lucy Barton is a writer, but her ex-husband, William, remains a hard man to read. William, she confesses, has always been a mystery to me. Another mystery is why the two have remained connected after all these years. They just are.
So Lucy is both surprised and not surprised when William asks her to join him on a trip to investigate a recently uncovered family secret—one of those secrets that rearrange everything we think we know about the people closest to us. There are fears and insecurities, simple joys and acts of tenderness, and revelations about affairs and other spouses, parents and their children. On every page of this exquisite novel we learn more about the quiet forces that hold us together—even after we’ve grown apart.
A BEST BOOK OF THE YEAR: The New York Times Book Review, The Washington Post, Time, Vulture, She Reads
Reviews
Like talking to your best friend
5By the aviatrixThis novel ended with a line that I will not reveal here but suffice to say, I needed this book. They say people either love shoefly pie or they can’t stand it. I think it’s the same with this author. If you engage with her writing style it’s like a conversation. If you aren’t intrigued - just put it down and give it to someone else. I read All Things Are Possible on a plane ride and needed more so I bought this and picked up the narrative where we left off. This writer opens psychological space for me. Real, honest and raw without being graphic or cheap. I also recommend reading the Olive books first. You can read the books out of order but I’m glad I did not.Punctuation Fest!
5By Voodoo Uh OhComma rich. Colon dense. Bold semi-colons. But bravely starting unpunctuated sentences with “But.” A wheelbarrow of internal starts and stops perfectly captures the struggle to narrate our own experience.Sad
4By pharmer28Another sad saga but written by a great story teller. ThanksR.T Lund
3By Noir followerA terribly overrated book. That’s just what it is.Oh, Please!
2By wynbeeNot sure what all the other reviewers are raving about. I found it a rambling, overly sentimental and depressing story about dysfunctional relationships. Maybe this appeals to some who can identify well with the self absorbed narrator or the pitiful protagonist. The chatty writing style may also find favor with some, but I found it flippant and off-putting. Expected a lot more from a Pulitzer winner and not deserving of a Booker long list.I don’t know why exactly I enjoyed it but I did
5By Jamiam987I liked the familiar characters and that Lucy now has more wisdomMoving and excellent
5By juliusaYet another wonderful book. Read it in one sitting, and highly moved. Worth your time.Oh William
5By SueCinqA very enjoyable novel full of keen insights into the perplexity of human emotions and relationships. I loved this book.Best friend
5By Alice anne 22I wish Lucy Barton was my best friendThis story showers you kindly with truths.
5By LizSweetwaterDaar Lucy Barton, I missed you so much. I’m glad you took over the author so you could talk about love some more. You just muddle your way home like we all do. I like the elephants too. Liz