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rosalind's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Abandonment, Classism, Infidelity, Grief, and Death
Moderate: Eating disorder, Miscarriage, Panic attacks/disorders, and Emotional abuse
Minor: Pregnancy, Child abuse, Suicidal thoughts, Sexual assault, and Infertility
jordan_noel's review
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25
I thought this book was sweet.
It's part of a series, but I read it as a standalone and think I understood it just fine.
It follows a divorced, now aged, couple and they reunite after one of them restarts the connection.
Not much happens in the book, but the characters reflect on past experiences, reasons they didn't work out as a couple, and their personality flaws. They support each other and begin to understand each other's boundaries, interests, and limits more as they take a trip together.
It's part of a series, but I read it as a standalone and think I understood it just fine.
It follows a divorced, now aged, couple and they reunite after one of them restarts the connection.
Not much happens in the book, but the characters reflect on past experiences, reasons they didn't work out as a couple, and their personality flaws. They support each other and begin to understand each other's boundaries, interests, and limits more as they take a trip together.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Grief
Minor: Death, Infidelity, Mental illness, and Panic attacks/disorders
isabezza's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
fast-paced
3.5
I chose this book from my local library after hearing positive reviews from book-tubers, so I had high hopes for Elizabeth Strout's writing. Her language and character development deserve reward and certainly lived up to expectation. Lucy Barton's mind style was relatable, beautifully written, and expressive, with comedic moments and clear perceptions of the other characters.
However, the plot was too fast-paced and underwhelming. I found the story moved so fast within our protagonist's mind that nothing much happened.
However, the plot was too fast-paced and underwhelming. I found the story moved so fast within our protagonist's mind that nothing much happened.
"I am not invisible no matter how deeply I feel that I am."
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Miscarriage, Terminal illness, and Child abuse
Moderate: Eating disorder, Pregnancy, and Infidelity
samarakroeger's review
emotional
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
an enjoyable enough insomnia read with a strong narrative voice in the character of Lucy Barton. I ended up feeling similarly to how I felt about My Name is Lucy Barton (I haven't read Anything is Possible). kind of underwhelmed? it's a pleasant read that flows well; Strout is great at using simple but effective prose. I just think I haven't really connected or cared too much about any of the characters in these books.
I'll undoubtedly read more from Elizabeth Strout when I can't sleep, though -- her books seem to engage me on just the right level where I won't get too stressed, I might fall asleep, and the writing is straightforward enough to follow in a sleep-deprived state. I swear this is a compliment.
I'll undoubtedly read more from Elizabeth Strout when I can't sleep, though -- her books seem to engage me on just the right level where I won't get too stressed, I might fall asleep, and the writing is straightforward enough to follow in a sleep-deprived state. I swear this is a compliment.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Body shaming, Fatphobia, Suicidal thoughts, Miscarriage, Mental illness, Infidelity, Death, Eating disorder, and Grief
Minor: Child abuse and Abandonment
angela_iseli's review against another edition
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Infidelity and Child abuse
danielle_isreading's review
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death of parent, Death, and Infidelity
Minor: Miscarriage
deedireads's review
emotional
funny
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
All my reviews live at https://deedispeaking.com/reads/.
TL;DR REVIEW:
The third in Elizabeth Strout’s Amgash series, Oh William! is another quiet but beautiful little novel. I loved how reflective this one was, both similar to and different from the first two.
For you if: You like books about relationships, and those that get really interior with their first-person narrators.
FULL REVIEW:
Shortlisted for the 2022 Booker Prize, Oh William! is the third book in Elizabeth Strout’s Amgash series. If you’ve read Elizabeth Strout before, you know what to expect with this one: a quiet novel that beautifully explores humanity by examining the motivations and relationships between lifelike characters.
Oh William! returns us into the mind and perception of the first Amgash book’s narrator, Lucy Barton. In this book, she’s a bit older; her daughters are adults, and she just lost her second (and much loved) husband. Then her first husband, William, is left by his new wife and finds out his recently deceased mother had a secret daughter before he was born. He asks her to accompany him on a trip to learn more about his half-sister, and she agrees.
I loved the opportunity to come back to a character we know and love and watch her reflect on her own life. Lucy has so much more self-awareness now, but she gains even more of it throughout the book. I also loved how Strout used the relationship between Lucy and William to explore how those we love, we love. in some way forever, even when they aren’t necessarily good for us anymore. And honestly, I think Strout’s ability to pinpoint what motivates people and how they interact is unmatched by any other writer.
I’ve heard that Lucy by the Sea is many people’s favorite Amgash book. I’m excited to read it next!
TL;DR REVIEW:
The third in Elizabeth Strout’s Amgash series, Oh William! is another quiet but beautiful little novel. I loved how reflective this one was, both similar to and different from the first two.
For you if: You like books about relationships, and those that get really interior with their first-person narrators.
FULL REVIEW:
Shortlisted for the 2022 Booker Prize, Oh William! is the third book in Elizabeth Strout’s Amgash series. If you’ve read Elizabeth Strout before, you know what to expect with this one: a quiet novel that beautifully explores humanity by examining the motivations and relationships between lifelike characters.
Oh William! returns us into the mind and perception of the first Amgash book’s narrator, Lucy Barton. In this book, she’s a bit older; her daughters are adults, and she just lost her second (and much loved) husband. Then her first husband, William, is left by his new wife and finds out his recently deceased mother had a secret daughter before he was born. He asks her to accompany him on a trip to learn more about his half-sister, and she agrees.
I loved the opportunity to come back to a character we know and love and watch her reflect on her own life. Lucy has so much more self-awareness now, but she gains even more of it throughout the book. I also loved how Strout used the relationship between Lucy and William to explore how those we love, we love. in some way forever, even when they aren’t necessarily good for us anymore. And honestly, I think Strout’s ability to pinpoint what motivates people and how they interact is unmatched by any other writer.
I’ve heard that Lucy by the Sea is many people’s favorite Amgash book. I’m excited to read it next!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Grief, Infidelity, and Death of parent
shelfofunread's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
funny
hopeful
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Content Warnings
Moderate: Abandonment, Miscarriage, Infidelity, Terminal illness, Grief, and Death
Minor: Panic attacks/disorders, Pregnancy, and Child abuse
pphector's review
emotional
inspiring
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Grief and Infidelity
Moderate: Abandonment, Death of parent, and Death
Minor: Classism
ukponge's review
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse, Death, Infidelity, and Infertility