I've changed my mind about Lucy Barton

[@marjetasaric]

Yes, as you point out so clearly, there is so much humanity in the Lucy Barton books, and in others by Elizabeth Strout. I love the complexity of the characters and the circumstances they find or get themselves into. I have Lucy by the sea on my TBR, hope to get to read it soon. Thanks for great review!

[@Elizabeth-Reads]

So fun to see you reading Lucy By the Sea by the sea! I read Lucy Barton when it first came out, really liked it, but when Anything is Possible came out I realized I remembered next to nothing so reread it before picking up AiP. Then I heard Oh William! was coming, and realized again I remembered next to nothing, so I re-read both books in preparation, ordered Oh William! and then saw the mixed reviews, which stomped on my anticipation. You're making me want to continue, but gosh, I re-read Lucy and AiP in the spring and already again only have peripheral memories! It may be because they have so little plot, are all about the characters which I generally like, it's just there's less to grab onto. Reading--and even re-reading--the books was enjoyable, so now I'm tempted to read them all in order, as if they were one four-part novel, hoping that will finally make the books stick. (And then I'll hope she doesn't come out with a 5th, or I'll likely have to start all over again...)

[@starnejme6902]

That's quite funny. I had the same experience with the peripheral memory while thoroughly embracing her writing.

[@RunwrightReads]

I just got a copy of Lucy By The Sea and am looking forward to reading it because I really liked Oh, William. I read Anything Is Possible recently as well and the comparison between Lucy and her siblings and friends is remarkable. The strength of Strout’s storytelling, I think, is in how broad her reach in showing Lucy’s origins and where she goes and the lives she touches and how the reader changes with the story arc as well. Great review, Eric ❤

[@EricKarlAnderson]

Thanks! And yes, I totally agree. Glad you’re a fan too.

[@RunwrightReads]

@@EricKarlAnderson currently reading Lucy By The Sea and gripped by William’s character, his quiet but strong support for Lucy. I enjoy reading about their relationship and how complex it has been over the years.

[@nkf7135]

I haven't read Lucy by the Sea yet, but I read the first three Lucy books over a period of years. According to my Goodreads ratings, Oh William was my favorite. Maybe I like older Lucy. Overall, I liked Strout's Olive books more than the Lucy books. Maybe I need to go back and reread the first two Lucy books, but I am looking forward to Lucy by the Sea. I love that you and your husband share the reading experience.

[@franciscaneumann1803]

loved the series, nice to hear a review about Elizabeth Strout! thank u so much

[@eiketske]

I love the Lucy Barton books. They have a mood to them and as soon as I start reading they immediately pull me in. I read the first one while sitting in the hospital waiting for my oldest to be released from hospital. And it is about her being in the hospital, so that really stayed with me. I will be starting Lucy by the Sea soon. And with soon I mean today 😉

[@aneweliseonlife]

Oh I hope you had a good trip to the PNW! Hope you missed the smoke ❤. Reading out loud in the car is so wholesome. Thank you again for the lovely review!!

[@EricKarlAnderson]

😊📚

[@kadamowicz68]

I haven’t read any Lucy Barton and loved oh William!!

[@grrrumpypanda]

Sounds really interesting. You've sold me on this whole series! Maybe a project for the autumn/winter 😃

[@BookwormAdventureGirl]

I’ve only read one book by Elizabeth Strout but I do want to read more. Great to hear your thoughts. 😊💙

[@readandre-read]

I love those UK covers! I'm really looking forward to reading Lucy by the Sea. Your car read-aloud sounds so fun.

[@billford4469]

The UK covers are so much better, but too expensive to order.

[@readandre-read]

@@billford4469 I'm in the US and I've had some good luck ordering from Blackwells. Sometimes the UK edition is even cheaper than the US!

[@billford4469]

@@readandre-read Thanks!

[@02lili02]

Wow should be an amazing and totally different experience to read a novel aloud to someone else! I want to try this one day

[@EricKarlAnderson]

It definitely gives a different feeling for a text.

[@arwamais]

I read Olive Kitteridge and Olive Again last year and enjoyed Strout’s writing so much, but I was hesitant to commit myself to a series. But after watching your review I started reading My Name is Lucy Barton immediately…

[@EricKarlAnderson]

Fab, hope you enjoy! 😊

[@arwamais]

I did it! I bing read them all in 3 very busy weeks… It was an immersive read that left me feeling sad when I finished the last one…

[@krc5210]

I have heard several others voice their surprise at Oh William being short listed for the Booker saying, it is a better read if you've read the first two in the series. I had not read the first two so maybe that is why I didn't enjoy Oh William but shouldn't a nominated book stand on its own?

[@TK-kf8zc]

I think so. Books in other series do. Proust, C.P. Snow, Anyhony Powell, Jane Gardham, Elena Ferrante. I thought Oh William! was a dud and minded it displacing The Colony or Maps of Our Soectacular Bodies on the shortlist.

[@purplecrayon7281]

It is a book prize; a book could be nominated on a myriad of reasons, none of which has anything to do with the book itself. Maybe the judges like the author based on his/her body of work but not necessarily the nominated book itself, or perhaps the nominated book captures the zeitgeist but does so badly.

[@EricKarlAnderson]

In principle, yes I definitely think a nominated book should stand on its own and if I’d only read Oh William! from the series I would not put it on the Booker list.

[@mirkovic]

After reading ‘The Trees’ by Percival Everett, I do not mind “Oh, William” in the short list, I thought Hernan Diaz novel way more interesting. Tsitsi Dangarembga “This Mournable Body” was part of a trilogy, well worth reading BTW, having read the first of Lucy Barton, I couldn’t really tell if it stand s alone…. how about Mother’s Milk? by Edward St Aubyn?

[@justines9233]

I just finished Lucy By the Sea and really enjoyed it. Really enjoyed the whole series. The descriptions of Maine definitely reminded me of living in Nova Scotia. Very similar reaction to newcomers.

[@EricKarlAnderson]

I’m glad you enjoyed it too and that’s interesting, thank you

[@WarinPartita6]

Big​ thanks, as​ usual, Eric.

[@EricKarlAnderson]

😊📚

[@AthynVixen]

I just read the ARC of Lucy By The Sea and it was so moving. Even though I was a lover of Strout and the series I admit I was baffled when Oh William was nominated for prizes as I found it rather lacklustre.I was wary of Covid books but i felt this one handled it well sensitively, realistically and not overexaggerated.I still feel the same about Oh William! though

[@EricKarlAnderson]

Yeah, it was very realistically portrayed with all the tension, denial and uncertainty.

[@isabelab6851]

Just finished my name is Lucy Barton based on your recommendation…getting ready to start anything is possible. Definitely want to continue reading the series. What other books should I read before this one to get the full experience that you mentioned? Thank you

[@EricKarlAnderson]

I’d definitely recommend reading The Burgess Boys as well.

[@cindyhaiken5644]

I read Lucy by the Sea last week and liked it very much. I think the series is a strong one but I think Oh William! works best as part of it rather than as a stand-alone. Lucy’s character is very complicated. At times it is hard to like her or not consider her child-like, and I think the richness and enjoyment of the books is in part due to understand all of the things that cause her to be the way they are, which you can’t really get from reading any one Amgash book alone.

[@EricKarlAnderson]

Yeah, I think you’re absolutely right!

[@jamesbuchan8086]

I loveeeee Elizabeth Strout and the Lucy Barton series, I wish more people had read burgess boys it’s so underrated! Olive and Lucy get all the buzz

[@EricKarlAnderson]

I loved Burgess Boys too.

[@franciscaneumann1803]

i will read those now, thanks!

[@Nina_DP]

The video title and the thumbnail photo had me nervous. I thought we were going to have to have words. I have read all the Lucy Barton books. (I've read all of Strout, save Abide With Me). So many people only know her because of Olive Kitteridge (maybe because of the Pulitzer win?) I have long said that Lucy Barton kicks Olive Kitteridge's 🍑. Even though they (and others) exist within the same universe I think Lucy's is the richer, more poignant story. I would dearly love to read the 4 books devoted to her again, but there are so many books I want to get to. Then again, as you have just pointed out, reading one can enhance the experience of having read (or rereading) the other(s). Thanks a lot, Eric! 😉

[@EricKarlAnderson]

Haha! I do love them both. 😀

[@3treept]

I've read all of Strout's books, even "Abide with Me." I loved that characters from that book crept, briefly, into "Lucy by the Sea." Both Lucy and Olive K. are grumpy characters and, as characters, sometimes unlikeable. But I've always loved Olive. I have not always loved Lucy. But that's not saying I haven't liked the books about Lucy.

[@KierTheScrivener]

I am so jealous you can read while driving. I have had my family read to me when driving and it is the best experience. But I am super interested to read Lucy By The Sea. I enjoyed Oh William! But wasn't in love with it. So I am glad to continue on. So when I'm waiting on library holds, should I read Olive Kitteridge and are there other books whose characters appear in Lucy By The Sea?

[@EricKarlAnderson]

I'm lucky that I don't get car sick from it, but it never bothers me unless we're going around lots of twisty roads (which sometimes happens in National parks) Yeah, I'd definitely recommend Olive Kitteridge and there's a character from Olive, Again in Lucy by the Sea - it really is a whole Strout universe! 😅 But also The Burgess Boys which is excellent and one of the main characters from it plays a prominent role in Lucy by the Sea.

[@franciscaneumann1803]

the audio is great for the 4 books in the series.

[@MsReadsAlot]

You were in the Pacific Northwest?? That is where I am at! What was your favorite place that you visited?!

[@EricKarlAnderson]

I was! I filmed some stuff so will hopefully put a vlog together at some point. We loved Seattle and Crater Lake and going wine tasting in Sanoma! The video at the beginning was filmed at Shi Shi beach. Beautiful!

[@purplecrayon7281]

if your mind is amenable to Lucy Barton, perhaps give Treacle Walker another go? I read Treacle Walker, didn't get it at first, read online reviews to understand it, and the genius of Alan Garner slowly dawns on me. Yes, much of the language seems gibberish, and the setting and sequence of events look illogical, but that's because the story doesn't take place on earth.

[@EricKarlAnderson]

I've not discounted Treacle Walker at all - I've just not got around to reading it yet but I will soon and will keep your advice in mind. Thank you!

[@purplecrayon7281]

@@EricKarlAnderson Oops, my bad. Sorry for the spoilers.

[@cjprince1]

Is there less fat shaming than in previous books?

[@EricKarlAnderson]

I can’t recall any fat shaming in the previous books but in this I think it’s the opposite as at one point one of Lucy’s daughters begins under eating but she’s greatly relieved when her daughter eats healthy amounts again. Lucy does have a difficult relationship with food because of being deprived in her childhood so maybe it was this issue which was being previously discussed rather than “shaming” in a general way?

[@3treept]

Lucy is a writer. She notices things. That's what she does for a living. When she remarks on someone's appearance or beliefs in ways that are unkind, she usually comes to a greater understanding of that person and a greater empathy.

[@solangekellerman5492]

Am I the only one who found the repetition of certain phrases annoying - ones repeating Lucy's inner reactions 'I mean ...' 'this I remember..'

[@3treept]

There are several phrases that Lucy keeps repeating. I don't know that I found them annoying but definitely noticed them.

[@lonnie4827]

Oh, I envy you for being able to read in the car!

[@Nero18anton]

[@jillschroeder5553]

I'm STILL hanging out waiting for this to be available way out here in New Zealand. Sigh!

[@EricKarlAnderson]

Hope it arrives soon!