UNSPOILED REVIEW: MY NAME IS LUCY BARTON, ANYTHING IS POSSIBLE, OH WILLIAM! BY ELIZABETH STROUT

[@vanessappp5672]

I read all these three books and I really, really like them. I feel that now she is kind of a friend and I miss her. Sometimes I open the book and read it randomly only because I miss it. Funny, right?! I really look forward to her next book.

[@Shellyish]

Funny, but Lucy is a truly endearing character.

[@EntertheBook]

Very good reviews and helpful to know about Oh William especially. I loved the story at the beginning how Lucy would be one of the bike receivers- nice! I like that family practice.

[@Shellyish]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@AnneEWilliamson]

I've never heard of Elizabeth Strout before the Booker list so this video was fascinating. I love series which really focus on understanding one person's life, especially one who lives in poverty like Lucy Barton.

[@Shellyish]

Strout was a such a surprise!

[@anitahayne8621]

I am currently reading “Oh William” and loving it. I read “My Name is Lucy Barton” when it was first published. I remember being underwhelmed at the time. I have the second book but I have not read it yet. I think I will go back and reread her first book while “Oh William” is still on my mind. I am coming to care a lot about Lucy as a character. I was really surprised that “Oh William” was on the long list for the Booker but I am beginning to understand why. I probably would not have picked up the book if it wasn’t on the prize list. It is always a nice surprise when you pick up a book without having a lot of expectations and you are rewarded. I absolutely agree with your review of all three books. Well done you.

[@Shellyish]

Thank you! Thank you! Thank you Anita! :)

[@anitahayne8621]

@@Shellyish I finished “Oh William” and started my reread of “My Name is Lucy Barton.” So many things are falling into place now. While trying to do all of this, ALL of my reserved library books came in at the same time and are ready for pickup. I am completely overwhelmed with due dates. Plus, I tested positive for Covid yesterday. Thank the sweet Lord I am double boosted. My case is mild so far. I have so many new books I have recently purchased (full price I might add). One must stimulate the economy when they can. I have more books coming from England (little Bookers). This train has finally gone off the rails! I am so overwhelmed right now I do not know where to start. Oh the dilemma of a book nerd!

[@Shellyish]

@@anitahayne8621 Please take care of yourself. What a relief that your case is quite mild! That double boost has paid off, thankfully! :) Not knowing where to start is the BEST book nerd problem. :) Take care of yourself. I wonder what you'll pick up first.

[@krc5210]

TY for your thorough reviews of this series. It is so helpful for me when comparisons are used as well. I was not a fan of Gilead or Housekeeping and reading reviews of Strout made me think this series might not be for me. Not a problem, lots of books out there.

[@Shellyish]

Glad it was helpful, KR!

[@anitahayne8621]

Shelly, thank you so much for this video. I was in the middle of reading “Oh William” at the time you posted it. It was your video that drew me back into the world of Lucy. I mentioned in a previous post that I had read “My Name is Lucy Barton” years ago. I did not immediately love the novel; I was kind of ambivalent. When I reread “My Name is Lucy Barton,” I had a totally different perspective. I am glad that I reread it. I gave the book 4 stars. The crowning jewel for me was “Anything is Possible.” Strout draws the reader into the lives of her characters with a combination of pathos and grace. At times I would be reading the novel and I would receive a gut punch when details of a character’s life was revealed; however, Strout has the ability to give the reader the details without them being mired in misery. It was interesting to me how Lucy reached a point in the conversation with her siblings where she could no longer process or talk about the abuse they suffered in their childhood. I gave the novel 5 stars and I gave “Oh William” 5 stars as well. It was a joy to continue on the life journey with Lucy Barton. I will certainly read the new book when it comes out. P.S. During this reading adventure, I had Covid and I got over it and now I have rebound Covid. I do feel awful; however there is an upside, it gave me the time/attention I needed to focus on these novels. 😷📚📕

[@Shellyish]

Anita, this comment put a smile on my face. I'm so glad you enjoyed the Lucy Barton series and "Oh William" has remained on my mind and in my heart. Fascinating that you enjoyed Anything is Possible the most because that was my first read of the series. I wonder if I'd like it better now. I hope you are on the road to recovery from COVID. Thinking of you!

[@anitahayne8621]

@@Shellyish Thank you, Shelly. Just to have someone to talk about books with has been a gift. I am currently reading Ann Patchett’s “Commonwealth.” I really enjoy her books. I haven’t read her entire back catalogue. I still have many books to go. I went to her bookstore, Parnassus when we were in Nashville many years ago. Every Tuesday afternoon on Instagram and KZbin Patchett has a segment called The Laydown Diaries. During these segments, she gives news about new releases. I love to watch these every week. I am such a fan girl when it comes to authors. 🤓📚📕

[@bookofdust]

We are reading Samesies Shelly! I spent last week reading all of three of these too and had a fantastic time as well. I can’t believe she is someone who I had never read before, a great oversight on my part, and I can’t wait for the fourth book, and the Olive Kitteridge books, which I’ll save for next year. One of the things I so loved about the first book was the quiet and subtle addition of the AIDS storyline and the acknowledgment that everybody in NYC’s lives were touched by the disease in the 80s and 90s. It is one of the examples of keen observations that both Strout as a writer and Lucy as a character share in the novel. The middle book certainly revealed that there’s a whole world of hurt that happens for everyone, but yes the Barton family, especially the children, have had more than their share. I loved the backstory of the school janitor who was so meaningful in her life, and the small detail of leaving the quarter for her, which she didn’t use or steal, but said so much about Lucy’s character. I do like the the cover for Oh, William with the tulips more than the one you showed and how that was worked into the story as a leitmotif, and I don’t think it would have jumped out at me as much without it and how it’s brilliant cover design. I also liked getting to Maine as I’ve always heard that Strout is from there and you sensed her poking fun at the state, which from my experiences was very fitting and apt. And Katherine’s backstory, and what I realized was a plot hole in the story of Lucy Barton in that her mother-in-law didn’t come/wasn’t around while she was in the hospital in the first book. I keep feeling there is one, big, brutal reveal that she’s been circling in the three books, and I’m both terrified to find out, but want to know as a further explanation of what she endured and how it shaped her. I guess we’ll find out soon if it’s in next book.

[@Shellyish]

Michael, you are such an attentive reader. You always give me the most wonderful insights. So glad you're enjoying the series as well.

[@justines9233]

I have finished the first two books and will start Oh William! tomorrow. I am really enjoying the series so far! Looking forward to the new book too.

[@Shellyish]

Wonderful! Let me know how Oh William works for you! :)

[@RoadReads]

I really enjoyed this video! I’m a big Olive Kitteridge fan - and also absolutely loved My Name Is Lucy Barton and Oh, William. (Did not love Anything Is Possible though.)

[@Shellyish]

Thanks, Susan! Anything Is Possible is definitely mixed. For sure! :)

[@spreadbookjoy]

Loved this review and how you worked into it with your family story. I have only read one of her Olive Ketteridge books and I enjoyed her writing and the character but I didn’t like the non-linear structure, which I wasn’t expecting. It was like a book of short stories about the character and the people in the town, where I was expecting a novel. Great review Shelly.

[@Shellyish]

I'm so glad you enjoyed it, Jack. :)

[@SpringboardThought]

This is really great Shelly, so happy to hear your thoughts on the series. I was fairly certain you’d like it. You were the Guinea pig for out of order and that wasn’t optimal, hey. I thought it’d be interesting to do it out of order but that proved to not be the case haha I’m excited for the new book too!

[@Shellyish]

Thank you, Fraser. I'm not mad at reading Anything is Possible first and My Name is Lucy Barton last, but they are probably most effective read in order. :) I don't mind being a guinea pig.