Oh William!
A Novel
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- $9.99
Publisher Description
NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER • BOOKER PRIZE FINALIST • The Pulitzer Prize–winning author of Olive Kitteridge and My Name is Lucy Barton explores the mysteries of marriage and the secrets we keep, as a former couple reckons with where they’ve come from—and what they’ve left behind.
ONE OF THE TEN BEST BOOKS OF THE YEAR: Maureen Corrigan, NPR’s Fresh Air
“Elizabeth Strout is one of my very favorite writers, so the fact that Oh William! may well be my favorite of her books is a mathematical equation for joy. The depth, complexity, and love contained in these pages is a miraculous achievement.”—Ann Patchett, author of The Dutch House
I would like to say a few things about my first husband, William.
Lucy Barton is a writer, but her ex-husband, William, remains a hard man to read. William, she confesses, has always been a mystery to me. Another mystery is why the two have remained connected after all these years. They just are.
So Lucy is both surprised and not surprised when William asks her to join him on a trip to investigate a recently uncovered family secret—one of those secrets that rearrange everything we think we know about the people closest to us. There are fears and insecurities, simple joys and acts of tenderness, and revelations about affairs and other spouses, parents and their children. On every page of this exquisite novel we learn more about the quiet forces that hold us together—even after we’ve grown apart.
A BEST BOOK OF THE YEAR: The New York Times Book Review, The Washington Post, Time, Vulture, She Reads
APPLE BOOKS REVIEW
In My Name Is Lucy Barton, novelist Elizabeth Strout sensitively explored the dysfunctional relationship between a grown woman and her estranged mother in a way that was more about healing than blame. This sequel applies the same sense of nuance to a failed marriage. Lucy, now in her sixties, is a successful author mourning the recent death of her second husband. She divorced her first husband—science professor William—more than two decades ago, but they’ve stayed friendly as co-parents. Now in his mid-seventies and on his third marriage, William has discovered a shocking family secret from his childhood that rocks both of their comfortable worlds. Told from Lucy’s chatty, tangent-filled, and often hilarious perspective, Oh William! explores the enduring connections that define a life. It’s a wonderful and emotional read for anyone who finds themselves thinking of an old love with both an exasperated eye roll and genuine tenderness.
Customer Reviews
Sad
Another sad saga but written by a great story teller. Thanks
Oh William
A very enjoyable novel full of keen insights into the perplexity of human emotions and relationships. I loved this book.
This story showers you kindly with truths.
Daar Lucy Barton,
I missed you so much. I’m glad you took over the author so you could talk about love some more. You just muddle your way home like we all do. I like the elephants too.
Liz