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Oh William!  By  cover art

Oh William!

By: Elizabeth Strout
Narrated by: Kimberly Farr
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Publisher's summary

Lucy Barton is a successful writer living in New York, navigating the second half of her life as a recent widow and parent to two adult daughters. A surprise encounter leads her to reconnect with William, her first husband—and longtime, on-again-off-again friend and confidante. Recalling their college years, the birth of their daughters, the painful dissolution of their marriage, and the lives they built with other people, Strout weaves a portrait, stunning in its subtlety, of a decades-long partnership.

Oh William! is a luminous novel about the myriad mysteries that make up a marriage, about discovering family secrets, late in life, that rearrange everything we think we know about those closest to us, and the way people continue to live and love, against all odds. At the heart of this story is the unforgettable, indomitable voice of Lucy Barton, who once again offers a profound, lasting reflection on the mystery of existence. 'This is the way of life,' Lucy says. 'The many things we do not know until it is too late.'

©2021 Elizabeth Strout (P)2021 Penguin Audio

Critic reviews

"A superbly gifted storyteller and a craftswoman in a league of her own." (Hilary Mantel)

"A terrific writer." (Zadie Smith)

"She gets better with each book." (Maggie O'Farrell)

What listeners say about Oh William!

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Gently true. A meandering tale of us.

Although I have preferred all the more “punchy,” harder edges Strout novels, I guess this tale is a reflection of the past two years’ effect on all of us and perhaps on Lucy Barton as well.
Sad to say it, but while William is around, mustache or not, he WILL have the authority and Lucy will remain largely invisible to him.
My certainty centers on the very powerful characterizations provided.
Sadly I think that the rather tentative voice of the actor reading the text coloured my perception of just how strong Lucy might actually be. Worth a lot of thinking about.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Exceptional

Profound story and brilliant narration. Deeply touching tale of loneliness and connection. It goes to a deep place inside all of us …

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  • Overall
    1 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars
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    1 out of 5 stars

Not what I expected at all

No story whatsoever. Repetitive and dull. I wouldn’t recommend this book. Very disappointing and not what I expected.

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