Pulitzer Prize winner Elizabeth Strout 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. “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 HouseI 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. What happens next is nothing less than another example of what Hilary Mantel has called Elizabeth Strout’s “perfect attunement to the human condition.” 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. At the heart of this story is the indomitable voice of Lucy Barton, who offers a profound, lasting reflection on the very nature of existence. “This is the way of life,” Lucy says: “the many things we do not know until it is too late.”
In Elizabeth Strout's "Oh William!: A Novel," we are reunited with the beloved Lucy Barton, protagonist of the Pulitzer Prize-winning novel "My Name Is Lucy Barton." This time, Lucy returns to Amgash, Illinois, her hometown, to visit her dying first husband, William.
As she reflects on their complex and often strained relationship, Lucy delves into the past, examining the events that shaped their lives and the choices they made. Through her poignant and insightful narration, we witness the complexities of love, loss, and forgiveness.
As Lucy grapples with her emotions and seeks closure, she uncovers hidden truths and gains a deeper understanding of herself and the people who have shaped her. "Oh William!" is a beautifully written and deeply moving novel that explores the enduring power of love, family, and the human spirit.
Throughout the novel, Strout's lyrical prose brings Lucy's world vividly to life, capturing the essence of a small town and the characters who inhabit it. With her trademark empathy and insight, Strout delves into the human condition, exploring themes of regret, redemption, and the search for meaning in life.
"Oh William!" is a powerful and emotionally resonant novel that will resonate with readers long after they finish the last page. It is a story that reminds us of the importance of cherishing the people in our lives and the enduring bonds that connect us.
