Overall, what do you think of Oh William? (no spoilers in this thread, please)

Overall, what do you think of Oh William? (no spoilers in this thread, please)

I loved this book, but then I have loved all her previous books too.

I really enjoyed the book. I found myself examining events, circumstances, decisions, and conversations that I have had over the years, as Lucy did. I think it must be natural to do this about your own life and your spouse’s or significant other’s lives. It seems to be a way of trying to understand ourselves and make sense of our lives.

I like Stout's books and this was no exception. The story isn't thrown in your face, it evolves through memories and revelations about the characters.

Overall I liked it, but I enjoy Olives sassiness over Lucy’s calm meditations.

From the first page, I was hooked. Cautiously, I at first thought I may have an unreliable narrator, but Lucy won me over. One daughter blames her for the other daughter’s eating disorder, and the whole family thinks Lucy “rolls over” all their attempts to tell her something. Her first husband labels her “ self-absorbed” and laughs at her kissing admired tulip petals. Suicide flies thorough her thoughts like a little bird. Others, like her psychiatrist, see Lucy as having no sense of her own self-worth. Somehow, Lucy shows us a restrained joy in being emotionally generous while taking care of oneself. Loved the closing, “ Oh! Everybody” !

I thought this was an interesting look into a character's thoughts and perspectives on herself and on other people in her life. It did make me think about the people in my own life. It focused too much on the past for me, though. And I found it irritating when Lucy would open a topic and then comment that she wrote about that in a previous book, and then drop the topic. While I put the book aside at times, I ended up finishing it but didn't end up feeling this was a book I want to pass on to friends.

The writing style at times led me to feel I was sitting across from the narrator and just listening to her story. Although this was not a favorite of mine, it reminded me how we all come from different places and how our experiences shape us.

This book was a strong 4.5 stars out of 5 for me. I wondered if at some point there would be a notation that the sections/chapters were the transcripts of Lucy's sessions with a therapist. I had not read the previous book about Lucy, so I can honestly say that no background on the character or the author is needed to enjoy Oh William! At times, I found myself wanting transition between the sections or a few less run-on sentences. However, that conversational style is part of the whole experience andpart of what makes tje revelations so surprising and interesting.

I agree with other readers that it certainly helped to have a background of Lucy Barton from the author's previous novels. I have read and enjoyed all of Elizabeth Strout's novels. I grew up in the Northeast and enjoy the Yankee sense of duty and economy of words that these characters possess. I enjoyed this novel.

I really enjoyed the book and must admit that at times I felt like I had become a character. Always adding my thoughts to the discussion. Our past never goes away and plays a part in our actions and thoughts about others throughout our lives. I loved the ending, where Lucy pulls it all together, "we do not know anybody, not even ourselves." "We are all mysteries, is what I mean." Oh, Elizabeth.

I agree with carla a re: the writing style and some of the others in that it wasn't my favorite book of Strout's. I don't enjoy reading books written in the first person, regardless how well they are written, and I, too, put it down often. Therefore do know this is in no way disrespectful of the writer, who I have enjoyed so much for years. I love her Olive Kitteridge books.

At times I fell that I should have read « I am Lucy Barton » first as the author makes quite a few referral to that story. It was not an easy read with all the back and forth with the past. It was also a bit depressing. I enjoyed the section when Lucy finally speaks with Lois Buber who was an happy, balanced person raised with love.
I loved the statement from Lucy to William « You married your mother ».

I approached this book with enthusiasm as I have so enjoyed the author’s Kitteridge books. I did not enjoy reading the book despite my admiration for the writing skill. I looked forward to the ending. I dearly missed Olive’s dry sense of humor. I would not recommend this book for my Book Club.

This novel captivated me from the beginning. I felt I heard the truth from her character in a way I hadn’t heard before. I was amazed at her marriages and how clearly she articulated the relationships and histories of all the characters. I really admired Lucy for her observations. Finally, I loved the calm and deliberate pacing. I’ve read only one of her books, but now I’m anxious to read My Name is Lucy Barton. I will definitely recommend Oh William!

I found O William highly readable and I enjoyed it tremendously. The character were well developed and I almost felt like I was inside their heads but as the story evolved I felt sadder and sadder

When I began this book, I felt as if I were coming in at the middle of the story. I hadn't previously read any of Ms. Stout's books, so the frequent references to events that occurred in earlier ones annoyed me. I also don't enjoy writing consisting mostly of people's thoughts and feelings. The character development is excellent, and the author's ability to describe people and settings in just a few words is unique. I began to understand and relate to the characters as I read, so by the time I came to the end of the book, I was surprised to find that I wanted to read more of her work.

I wanted to love it. Having read all of Ms. Strout's other books, I expected to love it. I did not love it! I found the conversational, meandering style distracting. Even though I've read all the other books, I couldn't summon up the references (maybe my age?). I slogged through a couple of chapters, set it aside, tried again and, I confess, ultimately quit about three-quarters of the way through. Nothing negative about Elizabeth Strout or her writing, which I love, but Oh, William! did not do it for me. (Sorry!) Looking forward to the next book!

loved the book, first person narrative made me feel like I was in the room watching everything happen. I have not read the other Lucy Barton books - did not bother me - there was enough Lucy background provided to give the story context and explain Lucy's feelings and reactions to life events.

I loved this book. Elizabeth Strout's writing style was beautifully casual and revealed a lot about Lucy through her experiences, thoughts and memories. The story line was so interesting to me. I have only read one of her book's before, Amy & Isabelle, so I have a lot of her other books on my reading list now! Oh, William was a wonderful story and I enjoyed Strout's writing style immensely.

I wanted to love it as well, having read most of Elizabeth Strout's other books, but I only liked it. I didn't find the story line particularly interesting. I can usually adapt to an author's writing style a few pages into a book, but was unsuccessful here. I found it too distracting.

Interesting but not my favorite of her books.

I couldn't put this book down. I liked Strout's conversational style and all the asides and small details that she managed to include as she told the bigger stories of her life. Her references to other books she has written was interesting and made me want to find out even more about Lucy. This novel was an intimate look at marriage that I found easy to relate to even though Lucy's experiences were very different from my own. Lucy said, "But whoever really knows the experience of another."

I liked the book so much I went straight to the library to get "My Name is Lucy Barton", which I liked just as much. Lucy herself is an interesting character, and I enjoy the stream-of-consciousness style in her reflections about the past.

This was the first book I’ve read by Strout. I’m not sure that I am in any hurry to read another one. The anecdotal retelling writing style seemed disjointed to me. It did seem as though I were listening to Lucy tell her story, but the continual use of phrases such as “this is what I’m saying” and “this is what I mean”, etc. was overkill. It was hard to believe that a character that speaks like this is a writer. I was interested in Lucy’s story but not a fan of this particular writing style.

I gave this book a 3 star. I didn't like the William character

I loved this book! I think one has to be an avid reader to understand it because it is so raw! The main character writes as she thinks - full transparency. I loved that-not often found in stories.

I love all of Elizabeth Strout's books! Her characters are well developed and quirky.......and I love her humor!!

I very much enjoyed this novel. I’ve read almost all of Strout’s works and this one was beautifully nuanced. A delicate portrait of a marriage and relationships afterward.