Books
by Elizabeth Strout
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Abide with Me |
Having enjoyed Strout's recent books I went for this early one, and was not disappointed. Tyler Caskey is trying to survive as Minister of a small town after his wife dies and his daughter retreats into herself. He struggles with his sermons, pastoral duties, role as father and then with scandal. Strout has an extraordinary gift for making her characters absolutely alive, real, recognisable. Beautifully imagined, beautifully written, a book to live inside.
(Annabel Bedini - bwl 91 Winter 2019) |
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Oh William! |
Strout likes to revisit her characters in this case the indomitable Lucy Barton, recently widowed and reconnecting again with her first husband, William. You feel like a confidante as she muses on their life together, the pain at the end of their marriage and their subsequent lives. A family secret of William's leads them to explore what we know (or not know) about those closest to us. Without any flourishes, it is a truly absorbing
read.
(Christine Miller - bwl 103 Winter 2022) |
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Oh William! |
How on earth to encapsulate this subtle novel in 75 words? For Strout fans here's Lucy Barton again, now 63 and recently widowed. When her ex-husband William asks her to help him solve a family mystery, they set off together on a journey of discovery - of their present selves as well as the past. Evolution of human relationships? Yes. Coming to terms with unexpected truths? Yes. And much more, Strout as always unerringly, delightfully, perceptive.
(Annabel Bedini - bwl 104 Spring 2022) |
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Oh William! |
This is a lovely, gentle yet thought-provoking book. The third in the Lucy Barton trilogy, it looks at Lucy's life after the death of her second husband: in particular, her relationship with her first husband and their daughters. It's about ordinary people facing changes and challenges, it examines grief, and it explores how we are shaped by our childhood experiences. It is so engaging and just a wonderful read.
(Annie Noble - bwl 104 Spring 2022) |
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Olive Again |
If you've read Olive Kitteridge then I would highly recommend this. It continues her story but also looks at other people whose lives are closely or just slightly connected with hers. It's all about ordinary situations and and ordinary lives and is a wonderful reflection on old age. It's poignant, uplifting and amusing in equal measure.
(Annie Noble - bwl 96 Spring 2020) |
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Olive Kitteridge |
Independent-minded, self-deluding, acerbic retired teacher Olive, living in a small Maine seaside community, is the thread that runs through this series of (mostly sad it has to be admitted) stories of her fellow citizens. The common theme is moments of truth in the lives of ordinary people, and 'truth' is the key word here. Sprout has an extraordinary ability to provide constant aahh-yes! moments of recognition that she has got people absolutely right. To be savoured.
(Annabel Bedini - bwl 85 Summer 2017) |
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