Scan barcode
pam2375's review
5.0
I love Lucy Barton. I can relate to her, I can feel all the feels that she is feeling and well, I can get depressed because of Lucy. Even with that said, I love this book.
None of us knew how to get through the pandemic, we just did. Ms Strout was able to create that world of fear, joy of being with my family, isolation and hoping for more isolation while the virus races across the country/world.
This book gave me everything I want and expect in a book. I encourage you to read the first books in the Lucy Barton series. It will give you the ability to really understand Lucy and William a whole lot better.
Many thanks to Netgalley and Random House Publishing for this advanced readers copy. This book published on September 20, 2022.
None of us knew how to get through the pandemic, we just did. Ms Strout was able to create that world of fear, joy of being with my family, isolation and hoping for more isolation while the virus races across the country/world.
This book gave me everything I want and expect in a book. I encourage you to read the first books in the Lucy Barton series. It will give you the ability to really understand Lucy and William a whole lot better.
Many thanks to Netgalley and Random House Publishing for this advanced readers copy. This book published on September 20, 2022.
tarinisehgal's review
emotional
hopeful
reflective
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
3.0
God, now I want to move to Maine and live by the sea with my nonexistent ex-husband. Light, easy and exactly what I wanted near the end of term.
Thank you ella, returning this as soon as you get off the phone x.
Thank you ella, returning this as soon as you get off the phone x.
clairewilsonleeds's review
emotional
reflective
relaxing
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
bookqueen28's review
2.0
The best part of this book was when it was over. Dull, uninteresting characters. My goal this year is to choose my books more carefully.
luisagerdsmeyer's review against another edition
lighthearted
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.75
cindy_f's review
5.0
I don’t think I can fully express how much I adored this book. Lucy Barton is definitely a favorite literary character of mine. Elizabeth Strout captured my heart with her writing. The only book in the series I didn’t read was the second one, but I enjoyed the other three.
In this story, the country is facing “the virus” and as a result everyone must shelter in place. Ex- husband William takes Lucy out of the city were the virus is sure to hit and drives to the coast of Maine. The house he rented for them by the sea sounds lovely. Lucy’s narrative is one of empathy and strength, with a hint of fear which is appropriate. I loved the conversations she had with her lovely friend Bob, as well as her interactions with her daughters. This book is very timely and hopeful.
In this story, the country is facing “the virus” and as a result everyone must shelter in place. Ex- husband William takes Lucy out of the city were the virus is sure to hit and drives to the coast of Maine. The house he rented for them by the sea sounds lovely. Lucy’s narrative is one of empathy and strength, with a hint of fear which is appropriate. I loved the conversations she had with her lovely friend Bob, as well as her interactions with her daughters. This book is very timely and hopeful.
serenityofbooks's review against another edition
3.0
Firstly, I must say this is the first Elizabeth Strout book I have read so I read this book as a standalone and was not familiar with the characters from previous books or their backstory as some other reviewers are. I read Lucy by the Sea in one sitting, and I have mixed feeling about the book.
Set in the first year of the pandemic in the US, the story is based around Lucy Barton, a writer living in New York City who is whisked away in the initial days of “the virus” to isolate in Maine with her scientist ex-husband William.
And that’s essentially it! Whilst, at its heart there are some big themes here that are being explored about family and intimate relationships, connection, reconciling the past, growing old and trying to understand the changing world around us, nothing else happens!
There are parts of this book I liked; it accurately captured those first days of confusion around what the pandemic meant for how we live our lives. The simple, almost conversational tone of the writing was precise and refreshing. The big issues that happened in the year are covered including George Floyd’s death, the Capitol riots and the US election with Lucy reflecting on the bigger picture of these events unfolding.
And then there are other parts I really didn’t enjoy; there is absolutely no descriptions of Lucy (except for a small mention of going back to blonde) or most of the other characters so I could not clearly picture who these people were, the almost bullying way her ex takes her out of the city and the way Lucy almost seems a bit dim witted (however I’m unsure if she is written this way intentionally as she talks about feeling like she’s losing her mind).
I’m undecided if I just needed to read the other books in the series to enjoy this book and the characters more – I felt the whole time like I’d missed something major! But to be honest, I’m still trying to figure out if I’m even interested in discovering these characters more or if I just leave them on these pages. Given all the 5-star reviews I’ve seen so far, I think maybe I was just not the target audience and readers who have followed the series from the start will love this latest installment.
Thanks to Netgalley and Penguin Books UK for sending this book for review consideration. All opinions are my own.
Set in the first year of the pandemic in the US, the story is based around Lucy Barton, a writer living in New York City who is whisked away in the initial days of “the virus” to isolate in Maine with her scientist ex-husband William.
And that’s essentially it! Whilst, at its heart there are some big themes here that are being explored about family and intimate relationships, connection, reconciling the past, growing old and trying to understand the changing world around us, nothing else happens!
There are parts of this book I liked; it accurately captured those first days of confusion around what the pandemic meant for how we live our lives. The simple, almost conversational tone of the writing was precise and refreshing. The big issues that happened in the year are covered including George Floyd’s death, the Capitol riots and the US election with Lucy reflecting on the bigger picture of these events unfolding.
And then there are other parts I really didn’t enjoy; there is absolutely no descriptions of Lucy (except for a small mention of going back to blonde) or most of the other characters so I could not clearly picture who these people were, the almost bullying way her ex takes her out of the city and the way Lucy almost seems a bit dim witted (however I’m unsure if she is written this way intentionally as she talks about feeling like she’s losing her mind).
I’m undecided if I just needed to read the other books in the series to enjoy this book and the characters more – I felt the whole time like I’d missed something major! But to be honest, I’m still trying to figure out if I’m even interested in discovering these characters more or if I just leave them on these pages. Given all the 5-star reviews I’ve seen so far, I think maybe I was just not the target audience and readers who have followed the series from the start will love this latest installment.
Thanks to Netgalley and Penguin Books UK for sending this book for review consideration. All opinions are my own.
serenityofbooks's review
3.0
Firstly, I must say this is the first Elizabeth Strout book I have read so I read this book as a standalone and was not familiar with the characters from previous books or their backstory as some other reviewers are. I read Lucy by the Sea in one sitting, and I have mixed feeling about the book.
Set in the first year of the pandemic in the US, the story is based around Lucy Barton, a writer living in New York City who is whisked away in the initial days of “the virus” to isolate in Maine with her scientist ex-husband William.
And that’s essentially it! Whilst, at its heart there are some big themes here that are being explored about family and intimate relationships, connection, reconciling the past, growing old and trying to understand the changing world around us, nothing else happens!
There are parts of this book I liked; it accurately captured those first days of confusion around what the pandemic meant for how we live our lives. The simple, almost conversational tone of the writing was precise and refreshing. The big issues that happened in the year are covered including George Floyd’s death, the Capitol riots and the US election with Lucy reflecting on the bigger picture of these events unfolding.
And then there are other parts I really didn’t enjoy; there is absolutely no descriptions of Lucy (except for a small mention of going back to blonde) or most of the other characters so I could not clearly picture who these people were, the almost bullying way her ex takes her out of the city and the way Lucy almost seems a bit dim witted (however I’m unsure if she is written this way intentionally as she talks about feeling like she’s losing her mind).
I’m undecided if I just needed to read the other books in the series to enjoy this book and the characters more – I felt the whole time like I’d missed something major! But to be honest, I’m still trying to figure out if I’m even interested in discovering these characters more or if I just leave them on these pages. Given all the 5-star reviews I’ve seen so far, I think maybe I was just not the target audience and readers who have followed the series from the start will love this latest installment.
Thanks to Netgalley and Penguin Books UK for sending this book for review consideration. All opinions are my own.
Set in the first year of the pandemic in the US, the story is based around Lucy Barton, a writer living in New York City who is whisked away in the initial days of “the virus” to isolate in Maine with her scientist ex-husband William.
And that’s essentially it! Whilst, at its heart there are some big themes here that are being explored about family and intimate relationships, connection, reconciling the past, growing old and trying to understand the changing world around us, nothing else happens!
There are parts of this book I liked; it accurately captured those first days of confusion around what the pandemic meant for how we live our lives. The simple, almost conversational tone of the writing was precise and refreshing. The big issues that happened in the year are covered including George Floyd’s death, the Capitol riots and the US election with Lucy reflecting on the bigger picture of these events unfolding.
And then there are other parts I really didn’t enjoy; there is absolutely no descriptions of Lucy (except for a small mention of going back to blonde) or most of the other characters so I could not clearly picture who these people were, the almost bullying way her ex takes her out of the city and the way Lucy almost seems a bit dim witted (however I’m unsure if she is written this way intentionally as she talks about feeling like she’s losing her mind).
I’m undecided if I just needed to read the other books in the series to enjoy this book and the characters more – I felt the whole time like I’d missed something major! But to be honest, I’m still trying to figure out if I’m even interested in discovering these characters more or if I just leave them on these pages. Given all the 5-star reviews I’ve seen so far, I think maybe I was just not the target audience and readers who have followed the series from the start will love this latest installment.
Thanks to Netgalley and Penguin Books UK for sending this book for review consideration. All opinions are my own.
olli2024's review
challenging
emotional
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
paravelblue's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Pandemic/Epidemic, Child abuse, and Miscarriage
Minor: Infidelity