Fiction

Oh William!

Oh William!

  • Downloads：5354
  • Type：Epub+TxT+PDF+Mobi
  • Create Date：2022-05-11 07:51:41
  • Update Date：2025-09-07
  • Status：finish
  • Author：Elizabeth Strout
  • ISBN：0241992214
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Summary

The Pulitzer Prize-winning， Booker-longlisted， bestselling author returns to her beloved heroine Lucy Barton in a luminous novel about love， loss， and the family secrets that can erupt and bewilder us at any point in life

Lucy Barton is a successful writer living in New York， navigating the second half of her life as a recent widow and parent to two adult daughters。 A surprise encounter leads her to reconnect with William， her first husband - and longtime， on-again-off-again friend and confidante。 Recalling their college years， the birth of their
daughters， the painful dissolution of their marriage， and the lives they built with other people， Strout weaves a portrait， stunning in its subtlety， of a tender， complex， decades-long partnership。

Oh William！ captures the joy and sorrow of watching children grow up and start families of their own; of discovering family secrets， late in life， that alter everything we think we know about those closest to us; and the way people live and love， against all odds。 At the heart of this story is the unforgettable， indomitable voice of Lucy Barton， who once again offers a profound， lasting reflection on the mystery of existence。 'This is the way of life，' Lucy says。

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Reviews

Stephanie Tournas ，

Lucy Barton has adventures with her ex husband， while ruminating on her life。 The title reflects her ongoing affection for him， but also her frustration。 I can't say I loved the seemingly extemporaneous conversational type language， but there is a lot of family dynamics which are interesting to witness。 Lucy Barton has adventures with her ex husband， while ruminating on her life。 The title reflects her ongoing affection for him， but also her frustration。 I can't say I loved the seemingly extemporaneous conversational type language， but there is a lot of family dynamics which are interesting to witness。 。。。more

Therese ，

Excellent story on a very human level。 You can feel the humanity in every word。

Keri ，

I was so happy to be back with Lucy Barton， this time getting to know her ex husband， William， and his history as well as their replationship。 Elizabeth Stewart is one of the greatest writers of our time， and keeps that title with this book。 Character-driven books are my thing-there’s no big plot that happens during this book， but so much more。 Lucy is just an average person。 William is just an average person。 But Stewart is able to dive deep into their thoughts and memories， creating vivid， mul I was so happy to be back with Lucy Barton， this time getting to know her ex husband， William， and his history as well as their replationship。 Elizabeth Stewart is one of the greatest writers of our time， and keeps that title with this book。 Character-driven books are my thing-there’s no big plot that happens during this book， but so much more。 Lucy is just an average person。 William is just an average person。 But Stewart is able to dive deep into their thoughts and memories， creating vivid， multidimensional characters and providing thought provoking insights into all relationships。 If you’re looking for a page turner with a big plot twist， skip this book。 If you’re looking for a fascinating deep dive into people’s lives， relationships， and the human condition， this book is for you。 。。。more

Bernadette Quigley ，

loved this book so much。 just stunning！

Jennie ，

3。5 stars。 I do love Strout's writing style， but this struck me as not quite as natural and engaging as the Olive books。 3。5 stars。 I do love Strout's writing style， but this struck me as not quite as natural and engaging as the Olive books。 。。。more

Sharon Nale ，

I liked this book because it reminded me of my own life situation， in some respects， so it was easy to identify with the characters and the situations。 I also loved the first line！ "I would like to say a few things about my first husband， William。" Grabbed me immediately！ Lucy is mourning the loss of her second husband。 Events lead to revisiting her relationship to her first husband， though more than 20 years have passed since they were married。 They had two children together， and that thread ha I liked this book because it reminded me of my own life situation， in some respects， so it was easy to identify with the characters and the situations。 I also loved the first line！ "I would like to say a few things about my first husband， William。" Grabbed me immediately！ Lucy is mourning the loss of her second husband。 Events lead to revisiting her relationship to her first husband， though more than 20 years have passed since they were married。 They had two children together， and that thread had kept alive the relationship through the intervening years。 The author says some pretty "right on" statements about grief。 So much of her writing "nailed me"， met emotions and feelings and opinions and memories that I have had myself， met them head on and nearly knocked me over with the similarities in my own life。 It was almost like reading the story of my own life。How the past finds its way into our present so many times and in so many ways， threatening to undo our happiness。 How childhood trauma makes us all a mystery to those who love us， or try to love us， and how that trauma can lead to a total lack of really understanding or knowing a person we love。 I really enjoyed the book， and it left me with a certain melancholy that lingers on。 。。。more

Marjorie McGuire ，

3。5。 I don’t know why I like reading about Lucy Barton， but I continue to do so。 She’s quirky and dry and I really don’t feel like I know her at all but I do。 Sometimes perhaps I AM her。 Oh， Lucy。

Rob ，

This book disappointed me。 I like Elizabeth Strout's writing。 My Name is Lucy Barton is my favorite of her books。 This， the second sequel， Oh William！， is less tightly written。 Like her other novels， it is written in short episodes and little stories。 Like her other novels， there are wonderful lines that touch the heart， but many， many fewer。 There is way too much "Oh" this and "Oh" that。 Elizabeth Strout usually writes achingly better than this。William is not a sympathetic character。 I understa This book disappointed me。 I like Elizabeth Strout's writing。 My Name is Lucy Barton is my favorite of her books。 This， the second sequel， Oh William！， is less tightly written。 Like her other novels， it is written in short episodes and little stories。 Like her other novels， there are wonderful lines that touch the heart， but many， many fewer。 There is way too much "Oh" this and "Oh" that。 Elizabeth Strout usually writes achingly better than this。William is not a sympathetic character。 I understand Strout writes about imperfect people and how deserving of love they are。 I guess I need more sympathetic characters。 Even Lucy is less appealing in this novel。 。。。more

Mallory ，

I loved how this fiction book read like a memoir！ A very fun and easy writing style to enjoy。 It felt like you really got to understand the character and her life。 Her insights into her self identify and marriage were refreshing！

Kirsten Feldman ，

It was fun to be back with Lucy and her family， and she writes beautifully and empathetically and sometimes almost telepathically， but there can be too much Lucy。 Oh William indeed。

Sydney ，

Strangely disappointing。 I read this book after listening to an interview with Elizabeth Strout in which she promised to tell "William's story"。 This was just a rehash of Lucy。 Strangely disappointing。 I read this book after listening to an interview with Elizabeth Strout in which she promised to tell "William's story"。 This was just a rehash of Lucy。 。。。more

Carol ，

3。5 I found the story interesting but the writing annoying。 What draws people together and what pulls them apart？ Meditations on family， those we’re born into and those we create…I think I would have enjoyed this more if it had been a memoir， instead of a sequel of sorts to several of her earlier novels。

Jessica Hatchett ，

I’m not sure what the point of this book was， but iI did enjoy reading it and it was a quick read。 I love the cover art。

Els Book Hunters ，

La Lucy Barton ja ha creuat la seixantena， les seves filles ja són grans， i acaba de perdre recentment el seu segon marit， en David。 És una dona que s'ha fet a si mateixa， que tot i haver crescut en una família extremadament pobra a l'Amèrica més rural， ha aconseguit sortir del forat i ha acabat esdevenint una escriptora d'èxit a Nova York。 En aquesta nova entrega， acompanyarem la Lucy en una mena de road trip amb el seu primer marit William， amb el qual encara manté una bona relació， per tal de La Lucy Barton ja ha creuat la seixantena， les seves filles ja són grans， i acaba de perdre recentment el seu segon marit， en David。 És una dona que s'ha fet a si mateixa， que tot i haver crescut en una família extremadament pobra a l'Amèrica més rural， ha aconseguit sortir del forat i ha acabat esdevenint una escriptora d'èxit a Nova York。 En aquesta nova entrega， acompanyarem la Lucy en una mena de road trip amb el seu primer marit William， amb el qual encara manté una bona relació， per tal de treure l'entrellat a un secret familiar que acaben de descobrir。Ai William！ és un dels llibres més lineals que fins ara li he llegit a Strout。 En altres llibres seus， l'autora treballa molts personatges secundaris i construeix una novel·la que sembla més aviat un conjunt de relats。 En canvi， la Lucy i en William són el fil conductor únic d'aquesta proposta。 Hi segueix dominant un discurs com de pensar en veu alta， bastant més marcat que en altres novel·les seves， i la intercalació de records amb el present。 L'autora deixa també la seva empremta despullant els personatges， rascant fins a arribar a l'arrel del seu comportament i de les seves pors。Reconec que aquest llibre no m'ha captivat tant com ho han fet la resta， i que el personatge d'en William especialment ha aconseguit desesperar-me més d'un cop。 Tot i el seu passat， tot i algunes anècdotes d'infantesa que corprenen， m'ha costat entendre'l i abraçar la seva inseguretat i manca de personalitat。 Per sort， té una companya de viatge com la Lucy que， amb aquella entesa i complicitat que només pot forjar-se amb el pas dels anys， no el deixa a l'estacada en aquest viatge de descoberta del seu passat。I jo， per suposat， seguiré llegint a Strout ❤️（LAIA） 。。。more

Delia ，

When I first started this I wondered why I had。 But ultimately I am glad I read it。 Strout's books creep up on me。 Before I know it， I'm smiling， cringeing， sighing in recognition。 When I first started this I wondered why I had。 But ultimately I am glad I read it。 Strout's books creep up on me。 Before I know it， I'm smiling， cringeing， sighing in recognition。 。。。more

Kristin ，

What can I say about Elizabeth Strout？ I love every one of her books。 Somehow her voice rings so true。 Lucy Barton， in her return as Strout's narrator， helps her ex-husband William attempt to understand something he did not know about his past。 Along the way， Lucy ponders William， herself， and their families。 Are people unknowable， even those we hold the most dear？ The book will not provide all the answers， of course， but it asks all the right questions。 It shows how vulnerability and strength c What can I say about Elizabeth Strout？ I love every one of her books。 Somehow her voice rings so true。 Lucy Barton， in her return as Strout's narrator， helps her ex-husband William attempt to understand something he did not know about his past。 Along the way， Lucy ponders William， herself， and their families。 Are people unknowable， even those we hold the most dear？ The book will not provide all the answers， of course， but it asks all the right questions。 It shows how vulnerability and strength can coexist。 It shows how landscapes can come to inhabit us。 These characters are so vividly portrayed they can take your breath away。 I hope to see Lucy return again soon。 There is so much more to explore。 。。。more

Julie Yeggy ，

I listened to the audiobook。 I really enjoyed this。 Listening to this made me want to go back and listen to Lucy Barton。 I thought Elizabeth Strout’s books were enjoyable because of the writing rather than the plot but listening to it made the plot seem more front and center。

Coleman ，

I really enjoyed this book。 It captures how you can both love someone and dislike many of their characteristics and love someone but not be in love。 Strout’s conversational style reads like a conversation with a close friend。

Khurshid ，

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers。 To view it， click here。 Really good book （fictional） to read as how to be introspective， I enjoyed it。 At the same I would admit， it might not appeal to everyone。 In business world retrospective is talk about the most often， introspection seldom。 There is tons of material available on how to run retrospective exercise for a group but I couldn’t find any material or example for how be introspective。

Suzanne ，

I couldn’t put this down when I first started， but it went downhill about halfway through。 It didn’t have a plot to drive it forward。 The writing is beautiful and Strout’s characters are perfect in their imperfections。 I guess that’s the point， right？ We’ve all got our own baggage and our own issues。

Aveigard ，

Dnf

Desiree ，

An interesting study on late mid-life quandaries。 Good beach read。

Kirsten Clark ，

Wow did I dislike this book。 The writing is excellent but the content and flow just really bored me。 I didn’t find any of the characters redeemable and definitely not William although certainly with the infidelity that’s the point in his case。 I didn’t know when I read this that it’s actually a follow up and perhaps that was the problem from the start， maybe if I had known the characters before I would find some merit in writing about them now。

Sandy ，

3。5。 I liked this book， but didn’t love it the way others did。 It raised a lot of questions for me- do I see myself the way others see me， how do we know what we’re really looking for or needing？

Javier Cadena ，

。。。 nunca pasó nada。No entendí la euforia en general de reviews alrededor de este libro。 Para mi no funcionó。

Barb Bailey ，

This book was good but for me did not compare to her first 2 books to which i gave higher ratings。 The basic story is about a divorced couple living separate lives in NYC。 Their lives cross bc they share grown children。 Both husband and wife lived through sad and flawed childhoods which impacted them adult their lives， but both became successful in their choose professions。 Secrets from the past emerge and even some from the more present。 How these 2 deal with their issues is interesting

Martha ，

“Oh William “ is the second in a trilogy but can be read as a stand alone。 I have heard a lot about Elizabeth Stout and thought I would try this one。 I am glad I did and will be reading her others。 I need to read My name is Lucy Barton as I am sure it will fill in the gaps that I don’t know。。 The way she introduces her characters and their thoughts captures real emotions。 Her loneliness is so relatable and her self discovery along with Williams is clearly descriptive of the dealings and secrets “Oh William “ is the second in a trilogy but can be read as a stand alone。 I have heard a lot about Elizabeth Stout and thought I would try this one。 I am glad I did and will be reading her others。 I need to read My name is Lucy Barton as I am sure it will fill in the gaps that I don’t know。。 The way she introduces her characters and their thoughts captures real emotions。 Her loneliness is so relatable and her self discovery along with Williams is clearly descriptive of the dealings and secrets we all have in life。Lucy is a widow but was divorced from William。 They have stayed friends and William also remarried。 The story tells of how we struggle through life to come to make sense of relationships and our own thoughts。I enjoyed the book although at times I found it slow reading。 I would recommend it and I will be reading both the first and third book。 。。。more

Catherine ，

I found this book interesting， Elizabeth Strout reflecting on her life and life generally。 I would certainly read her other books

Alison S ，

I really love this author。 When I start reading one of her books， I am immediately absorbed by the narrative， and feel as though a spell has been cast over me。 Her characters are so nuanced， sympathetic， and real， and her prose is very beautiful and subtle。 This book is no exception， as it was such a moving exploration of family， memory and human connections。 I was really excited to discover that a new book about Lucy Barton is coming out in September - Lucy By The Sea。 🥳

Denese Turlik ，

This is the first time reading a book by Elizabeth Strout and I can’t wait to read more。 Going back to read the first two books about Lucy Barton。 I loved her style。 This is a very sweet book of lost loves and just finding ourselves。

Reference

google book https://www.google.com/search?tbm=bks&q=Oh William!

hathitrust digital library https://babel.hathitrust.org/cgi/ls?q1=Oh William!&field1=ocr&a=srchls&ft=ft&lmt=ft

The British Library https://bll01.primo.exlibrisgroup.com/discovery/search?query=any,contains,Oh William!&tab=LibraryCatalog&search_scope=Not_BL_Suppress&vid=44BL_INST:BLL01&lang=en&offset=0