Inform Me All the things: Oprah’s E-book Membership: A Novel

A New Visit With Old Friends
What a delight to see a new novel by Elizabeth Strout–one of my favorites! And this one also features many of my favorite characters from previous novels, including Bob Burgess, Lucy Barton, and Olive Kitteredge. –With Matthew Beach making a significant debut, and other familiar characters growing through their tribulations. Brief commentaries in occasional visits from a wise, very human, omniscient narrator. Lovely use of details in the seasonal settings, deep understanding of the human heart in its many physical placements. Couldn’t put TELL ME EVERYTHING down. A wonderful, bittersweet, satisfying read. Brava!

If you love character-driven novels that focus on conversation, this is the perfect book
Elizabeth Strout has the unique ability to make the ordinary seem extraordinary. The characters she has created over the years are probably stereotypes in some sense since they represent typical people in a small town in Maine—a minister, lawyer, writer, police chief, schoolteacher, and others. However, the introspective conversations she creates among her characters are amazingly representative of every human being and are relatable on multiple levels.I’ve read almost all of Strout’s books, and along with a few other authors, I feel as though I have lived my adult life and grown through some of the perspectives of Olive Kitteridge, Lucy Barton, and the Burgess men. These familiar characters all appear in Tell Me Everything. Since they are all aging, the issues of dealing with adult children, failing health, and loneliness are addressed with poise, humor, and dignity.A central theme in this novel is “unrecorded lives.” In her nineties, Olive Kitteridge wishes to tell stories about people to Lucy Barton, a writer. Lucy listens to her stories and relays a few of her own. As they ponder the meaning of the stories, it becomes apparent that all lives are noteworthy and chance encounters with unknown people can be significant. Storytelling, so much a part of our culture, is exalted in this novel, and those who can listen and learn from others’ stories are the most likable characters.In conversations Attorney Bob Burgess has with his brother Jim, his wife Margaret, his ex-wife Pam, his client Matt, and his friend, Lucy Barton, the reader gains tremendous insight into various personalities and human needs. There is a detailed discussion about narcissism, gaslighters, and other character traits which cause consternation. In addition, some relationships include linchpins and cycles of abuse. There are discussions of alcoholism, suicide, patricide, and matricide. Strout’s expressions when giving her characters words exemplify her understanding of the human condition. I loved when someone was referred to as a sin eater—they “eat” other people’s sins and make themselves miserable. There are numerous depictions of “broken” people, those who need a good hug and those who just need to be heard. So much of real life is conveyed in Strout’s fictional yet realistic characters.

The Olive Moments Were Good
Olive Kitteridge and Olive Again are two of my favorite contemporary novels of all time, so I was really looking forward to this book. The Olive moments didn’t disappoint – she’s just as salty and inwardly caring as always. The character is Lucy is well-drawn as well – she’s dreamy and full of love of all people and the world, yet prickly when poked. I also liked the character of Bob, whose thoughts on his bad haircut reminded me of the sweetly humorous insightful character studies of Anne Tyler. However, the story, unlike the stories within the story, dragged along for some reason. It was difficult to care about the woman who got murdered or the back story of her family, for some reason. I know that the story needed some sort of plot, but I’m not sure a murder mystery was a good fit to the character development within the story. I kept skipping ahead to the places where Olive and Lucy meet up and had hoped that there was more here. I also wished to know more about Margaret and Bob’s relationship and Margaret herself, how she became a pastor, for example. This book will still find its place on my shelf with the Olive books, but it was not as satisfying of a read by a long shot.

Years, Tears, Laughter, and Love
I can’t say enough about Elizabeth Strout. I am almost 80, and every book gives us the gift of the unique and yet universal characters of Crosby, Maine. Each book touches me deeply. In Tell Me Everything, Bob Burgess and Lucy Barton’s friendship as well as the many “stories” Lucy and Olive Kitteridge share, illustrate the complex dynamics of love and the flaws we are all familiar with. If you can, listen to the audible book. Kimberly Farr is absolutely brilliant.

The fifth book in Strout’s Amgash series, Lucy is now settled in Maine and we also see her interactions with characters featured in more detail in her other books. Lucy and Olive Kitteridge form a friendship telling each other stories. But Bob Burgess who also featured in The Burgess Boys is the main focus of this novel.I adore the way Strout can tell such a rich and beautiful story. I loved the relationship between these characters, especially Lucy and Bob’s friendship. Bob is the lawyer to an oddball man, Matthew whose mother is found dead, and the way he cares for him throughout the whole book is touching.Five stars from me. I think her stories and writing just get better and better!

Better than ever, Elizabeth Strout has written another marvellous book. There is little else to say, because we all know her work, how her characters are alive and very real, and how we feel with and for them. Thank you, Ms Strout, for allowing us to remain in Maine and live with Lucy, William, Bob, Margaret and others for another 326 pages of perfect writing.

I’ve been on a journey with Elizabeth Stroud since her original Olive book and I have loved each one. Something about the slow, easy style and the very humanist of all of the characters is just so compelling. I feel like I’ve watched so many of her characters grow old and live through so many ups and downs. As Bob says… it’s just Life. That’s all it is, just life.