Sunday, June 26, 2022

Book Review - Lucy By the Sea; Elizabeth Strout

 

Lucy By the Sea; Elizabeth Strout
Random House - 9/2022

Even though this book will not be officially released until September 2022, any new book by Elizabeth Strout in my hands always seems to show how little self-control I have.  

In this story Lucy (My Name if Lucy Barton), (Anything is Possible) and (Oh, William!) is convinced by her ex-husband William to pack a bag and flee her apartment in New York City with him, just prior to COVID shutting down the city. Lucy, a writer, was scheduled to leave for Europe on a book tour, but William, a scientist has convinced her to do what he says.  The couple has been divorced for years but have remained friends and have two adult daughters.  William has rented a house by the sea in Maine from an old friend and, he has reconnected with a sister that until the last few years he never knew that he had. Although living together after being divorced for many years takes some getting used to, the couple soon fall into some comfortable routines.  We also get brief references to some of the characters from her previous books like Olive Kitteridge and Bill Burgess and, insight into their lives of the couple's two daughters.

As always Elizabeth Strout writes with emotion and her characters have so much depth. The author has a way of telling a story that always seems to make me think about how my own life has played out.  Marriage, the joys and worries that come with parenthood even when your children are grown and on their own.  The pride we feel from the accomplishments, what we have achieved personally and professionally, and, those things that we might have tweaked a bit if there was a chance at a do-over.  The Maine setting and isolation from family and friends that many of us felt prior to a vaccine becoming available was palpable in this story.  Although this book is part of a series, it could be read as stand alone -- I don't suggest it though as the build up of the series is really what makes each novel special. Elizabeth Strout always manages to hit all the right notes, I'm already looking forward to her 2023 offering (I hope.) 

RATING - 5/5 stars

NOTE: An eGalley was sent to me by the publisher in exchange for my unbiased review.

22 comments:

  1. I read Oh William last year (and a few other books) but didn't review it so now I'm trying to decide what to do about them. I want to read this book.

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    1. I think you will enjoy reading the continuation of William and Lucy's story.

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  2. I cannot wait to read this book! So glad to know you loved it.

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  3. It sounds most worthy of a five outta five!

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  4. 5/5... wow! I love that you felt proud of the characters' accomplishments, that's a true testament to the author's work.

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  5. Another Lucy book! Yay!!! You have made my day.

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    1. I'm happy there are so many Strout fans out there; another good on for sure.

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  6. I wonder how many of the books with ex husband William are based on her own life.

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  7. It's sad to admit, but I still have never read any books by this author. Even though I have at least three of them on my TBR list. Everyone always raves about her writing, so I don't know why it's taking me so long to get around to reading her.

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    1. I'm guilty of the same thing with other authors my reader friends rave about. One example was Rosamunde Pilcher which it took my 20 years to finally try.

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  8. I have only read one book by Strout, Olive Kitteridge. When I bought that one, I also got My Name is Lucy Barton (at a book sale). I also have Olive, Again. So I have two on my bookshelves to read. And then I am sure I will continue with the others in the Lucy Barton series. Too bad it took me this long to get started on Strout's books.

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    1. Tracy, if you like audio books Olive, Again was excellent on audio - I really loved that one even more than Olive Kitteridge - you really get to know the real Olive. BTW - There is a miniseries about Olive Kitteridge - very good.

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  9. I have only read Olive Kitteridge by Elizabeth Strout, but hope to one day get to My name is Lucy Barton and then of course this one too. Sounds good!

    Elza Reads

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    1. I enjoyed Olive Kitteridge BUT LOVED Olive, Again! Everything she has written was enjoyable for me.

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  10. I have Olive, Again and Oh, William to read, but I'm excited about this one! Having just read a book set during the early days of Covid, I'm interested in reading another and this one sounds great! So glad to hear you enjoyed it so well.

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    1. Olive, Again was awesome on audio and Oh, William. If I were you I'd binge read Strout LOL - I play to buy ALL of her books for my personal collection - I own (3) in print and a few on audio or eBook but still need to order a few more prints.

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  11. I read Lucy Barton and Anything is Possible but am looking forward to reading Oh William! and this one. I really love the sound of this one.

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    1. I hope you will love them as much as I did. I love how introspective Lucy is.

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