Elizabeth Strout

I am listening to Lucy by the Sea which sends you to sleep wonderfully.
Sprout writes well but I find her repetitive.

I have read them all but I find them very repetitive.

Keeps ploughing the same furrow, told by different characters.

Rather over rated, imo.

I have read: I am Olive Kitteridge, Lucy Barton and recently Tell me Everything. The last one was a book club read and surprisingly the general consensus was it was alright but most readers felt detached from the characters and had not enjoyed it.

So I won’t be rushing to buy the next one.

Another huge fan of ES. I've read most of her books, not this one but will be ordering it. Her prose is beautiful, she makes the lives of ordinary people into compelling stories. I loved "Olive Kitteridge".

I have read two and a half of her books and could not understand what others found to enjoy. It turned out that the Book Club choice had been based on recommendations and reviews, and no-one had actually read her books before it was nominated. We were all disappointed.
Why should there be anything missing in your emotional intelligence simply because you did not enjoy a book? Booker nominations are often fashionable choices, not based on literary merit. but chosen because they are 'different.'

Olive Kitteridge is my favourite book of all time BUT I really did not enjoy the latest offering. Feel there must be something missing in my emotional intelligence as others have raved about it and it is nominated for the Booker prize. Disappointed

I have read all of her books and loved every one. In May this year I heard her speak at The Hay Festival. She said that in her writing she is trying to show her readers how it would feel to be someone else.
Her favourite of all the characters she has created is Bob Burgess who was one of the brothers in The Burgess Boys and also appeared in Tell Me Everything.
I hope she makes it to the Booker long list. Olive Kitteridge won the Pulitzer Prize for fiction in 2009.

Elizabeth Strout books are all beautifully written and everything within is susinct and so well observed with such well drawn characters. I've enjoyed every single one! Nay sayers give them another go but start the books in order.

Her latest is waiting for me at the library; I’ve enjoyed all her others so I’m anticipating it with pleasure.

I’ve never heard of her but will look into her books.
TerriBull runs an excellent book thread and I’m wondering if this should be on there, though I appreciate this is a book thread too.

I loved Olive Kitteridge so must try some more of hers.

I finished it last week and really enjoyed it. I loved Olive Kitteridge too.

i tried to read this book but after 4 chapters i gave up.

I confess I've never heard of her, but I tend to stick to historical novels so maybe she's just not been in my genre. I rarely buy new books, I prefer to buy from secondhand shops or online suppliers.

I thought this was an absolutely brilliant book. It’s so understated but so profound at the same time and a theme that resonates very strongly with me at this stage in life. I’m not surprised she has been long listed for the 2026 Booker prize.

Bridey

I must reread this book, i found it boring unlike her other books, but listening to others praise it i may have to give it another go.

Books really are subjective, plus it depends on what mood you're in I tried Olive Kitteridge and found it boring, but TTWNS, engaging.

I haven’t read any of her books, but they’re on my ( never ending list).
I’m always reading praise for her writing. Again more in the Times today.

I must reread this book, i found it boring unlike her other books, but listening to others praise it i may have to give it another go.

Fara I agree. I posted about it on the topic Books/Looking for my next book, as did others.