What a beautifully told “un-fairy tale”. It's more of an experience than a story. My Name is Lucy Barton is a short, simple, and quiet story that took me away from the noise and to that quiet place that I love. So what the hell’s going on? She doesn’t use many tiles, but the ones she does display are carefully colored and placed. Now, in My Name Is Lucy Barton, this extraordinary writer shows how a simple hospital visit becomes a portal to the most tender relationship of all — the one between mother and daughter. In her books Olive Kitteridge and Anything Is Possible, Elizabeth Strout adopts a complex linked-story structure to explore character and milieu. The book opens with Lucy recuperating in the hospital after an operation. [ The narrative begins with Lucy Barton reflecting on her life from the hospital bed where she spent 8 weeks after getting an infection from surgery. At its core it's a contemplative novel -- a novel about trying to make sense of life, trying to see how all the pieces fit together. Knitting this powerful narrative together is the brilliant storytelling voice of Lucy herself: keenly observant, deeply human, and truly unforgettable. Her Favorite Character Studies: Get to know these five indelible characters, each recommended by the Pulitzer winner, whose latest is My Name Is... Lucy Barton is recovering slowly from what should have been a simple operation. At times I felt as though I was listening in on a casual conversation between mother and daughter, while at other times I felt I was on the receiving end of an interview with Lucy. In some ways Lucy becomes the epitome of the flawed way we all survive by filtering reality and numbing ourselves. She makes allusions but I'm not quite sure what conclusion reader should draw, See all 41 questions about My Name Is Lucy Barton…, Goodreads Picks for Tournament of Books 2017, My Name Is Lucy Barton by Elizabeth Strout - 3 stars, My Name Is Lucy Barton, by Elizabeth Strout, Good Minds Suggest: Elizabeth Strout's Favorite Character Studies. The result is … My first Strout. I was in tears at one point as Lucy desperately tries in vain to reach out to her mother for love, kindness or affection…something that her mother is sadly incapable of giving. My Name Is Lucy Barton was originally produced by Nicholas Hytner and Nick Starr for the London Theater Company at the Bridge Theatre in June 2018. I am totally in awe of this writer's talents. If … January 12th 2016 I was in tears at one point as Lucy desperately tries in vain to reach out to her mother f. What a beautifully told “un-fairy tale”. Refresh and try again. A new book by Pulitzer Prize winner Elizabeth Strout is cause for celebration. It happens everywhere, and all the time. Fortunately, my outgoing daughter taught her how to love before she passed away, but relationships like this DO exist. Fortunately, my outgoing daughter taught her how to love bef. In a warm, confessional tone, Strout’s protagonist shares snapshots of her harrowing rural childhood and her nine-week stay in a Manhattan hospital during the height of the AIDS epidemic. The few days her mother spent at her bedside, a mother she has been estranged from for many years, and tries to find a sort of peace or at least understanding of the family she has lef. Ellen Emry Heltzel is a writer and book critic who lives in Portland. An ordinary story with an extraordinary character. Had the book fully revealed the miseries of, A book like this that’s short on words, but rich in meaning begs for a metaphor to describe it. Gentle gossip about people from Lucy’s childhood in Amgash, Illinois, seems to reconnect them, but just below the surface lie the tension and longing that have informed every aspect of Lucy’s life: her escape from her troubled family, her desire to become a writer, her marriage, her love for her two daughters. Is the reader supposed to know what in particular has kept lucy away? In a visit by, A quiet but moving reverie by a resilient woman on various timepoints in her life, revealing the distorted lens by which she views life around her and the troubling experiences of her past. She also captures my heart by carrying through on an inspiration from her discovery of reading in grade school: “I will write and people will fell less alone!”. As she recovers from surgery complications, a shocked Lucy receives a five day visit from her estranged mother who can only express her feelings by telling stories of old acquaintances and their imperfect lives; and while listening, Lucy Barton revisits her. Her mother, to whom she hasn’t spoken for many years, comes to see her. It is after all written by Elizabeth Strout. In June 2018 Laura made her London theatre debut in Richard Eyre’s limited three-week run of My Name Is Lucy Barton, the stage play adapted from the Elizabeth Strout novel of the same name and opened to rave reviews. My Name Is Lucy Barton, by Elizabeth Strout, is written as a fictional memoir of a famous author. Elizabeth Strout is the author of several novels, including: “It interests me how we find ways to feel superior to another person, another group of people. Her father was abusive and while her mother loved Lucy, she was unable to protect her or … And yet it’s a powerful addition to Strout’s body of work. I listened to this and it augmented the feeling that I was listening in on someone else’s conversation or being part of a one sided conversation. ), a short, stark novel about the ways we break and maintain the bonds of family. I had the luxury of reading My name Is Lucy Barton in one sitting -- and if you can that's how I highly recommend this very short jewel of a novel be read. Thank you to the publisher and Netgalley for an opportunity to read an advance copy. My Name is Lucy Barton is presented episodically, as a series of events and memories from Lucy’s past. I was so sad about her poor, abusive and emotionally disconnected family upbringing. There were solid, valuable messages in this gentle story delivered in a tentative and scattered way. An ordinary story with an extraordinary character. Lucy was raised in extreme poverty by parents who were not able to nurture and show her love in … During the day, the building’s beauty receded, and gradually it became simply one more large structure against a blue sky, and all the city’s buildings seemed remote, silent, far away. by Random House. But eventually she became a hero to me in several ways. My Name Is Lucy Barton (Amgash #1), Elizabeth Strout. Sorry. An apparently simple tale of a woman's life from early hardship to later success, yet nothing about it is actually simple. I had the luxury of reading My name Is Lucy Barton in one sitting -- and if you can that's how I highly recommend this very short jewel of a novel be read. I thought how when I got out of the hospital I would never again walk down the sidewalk without giving thanks for being one of those people, and for many years I did that — I would remember the view from the hospital window and be glad for the sidewalk I was walking on. Lucy was pretty specific in her vagueness. There's a veil of ambiguity over the whole novel that made me constantly question what I was reading. The story is written many years later, with her time in the. On paper, the script of My Name is Lucy Barton is merely 36 pages long, and it reads nicely as a short story. Lucy Barton tells much of her story from a hospital bed where she has endless time to think back to her childhood and her life since. 3 stars. “You’ll write your one story many ways. A short, subtle story about life through the eyes of a woman, Lucy Barton. There’s no doubt that Elizabeth Strout is a great author, she really doesn’t waste a word. My Name Is Lucy Barton (Amgash #1), Elizabeth Strout. It's hard to describe what it's about. We cross swords in games of subterfuge while we clasp tightly to our deepest secrets which we label "ours" and certainly not "theirs". With enough distance, a picture does emerge. For such a short novel, it's dense with story, thoughts and emotions. Much of the story takes place in a hospital in New York City, where Lucy Barton goes to have her appendix removed. Her mother, to whom she hasn’t spoken for many years, comes to see her. Every page I reread seemed rich and wow-y. “You will have only one story,” she had said. There was a time, and it was many years ago now, when I had to stay in a hospital for almost nine weeks. Lucy Barton, as the book opens is in the hospital where she will remain for weeks. I also thought when I first met Lucy Barton that this was going to be a story about an ordinary woman . Lucy Barton is recovering slowly from what should have been a simple operation. Let us know what’s wrong with this preview of, Published My Name Is Lucy Barton follows the title character, who, unsteady after an operation, awakens to find her mother sitting at the foot of her bed. Her mother comes to stay with her in the hospital for a few days, which leads Lucy to dwell on her childhood of utter poverty in rural Illinois and her fraught relationship with her parents and siblings. It is also a story of lasting emotional damage and resilience, and a writer’s commitment to the truth. The story is written many years later, with her time in the hospital as her focal point -- but the time span runs from her childhood to the present. With enough distance, a picture does emerge. My Name Is Lucy Barton confirms Strout as a powerful storyteller immersed in the nuances of human relationships, weaving family tapestries with compassion, wisdom and insight. And she also muses about writing, what it means to her, and how she was inspired by a number of people, including another author. The narrative begins with Lucy Barton reflecting on her life from the hospital bed where she spent 8 weeks after getting an infection from surgery. Through Lucy Barton, Strout has made a remarkable virtue of the novelist's trick - often missed - of telling enough but not too much. At its core it's a contemplative novel -- a novel about trying to make sense of life, trying to see how all the pieces fit together. My Name Is Lucy Barton is a short, sparse novel and every word, every incident related is carefully chosen. It's a tender, poignant, and introspective look at relationships and imperfect love. She learns to harness the vital power of simple kindness transmitted from people around her through simple acts and gestures. Lucy’s point of view intertwined with the story told by the other characters makes this set amazing. When I finished this book, I didn’t think I landed in wowsville. 212-239-6200. “I like writers who try to tell you something truthful,” comments the eponymous narrator of “My Name Is Lucy Barton.” … Oh my goodness yes, unfortunately. I must have read a different version of the book than everyone else. My mother had a terrible time telling me she loved me. **Updating this to 5★**I was totally captivated by this soulful, unassuming narrative that packs a punch of emotion. Is the mother daughter relationship believable? Whether one likes her characters or not (and truthfully some are unlikable if understandable, she makes the reader feel something. In this novel she takes a woman looking back on the nine weeks she spent in the hospital (I can relate) when her two daughters were young. In My Name is Lucy Barton, there are no plot twists to distract or verbal acrobatics to charm: the story must rest instead on its bare emotional truth. In some ways Lucy becomes the epitome of the flawed way we all survive by filtering reality and numbing ourselves. During this time, her mother whom she is estranged with, visits and stays for 5 meaningful days. A quiet but moving reverie by a resilient woman on various timepoints in her life, revealing the distorted lens by which she views life around her and the troubling experiences of her past. The novel is also full of keen observations about how childhood travels forward into adulthood. This was in New York City, and at night a view of the Chrysler Building, with its geometric brilliance of lights, was directly visible from my bed. This is the trademark of Elizabeth Strout's work, these somewhat interconnected stories. Her mother, to whom she hasn't spoken for many years, comes to see her. As the story of Lucy unfolds the characters and events from the sequel are brought up. But eventually she became a hero to me in several ways. As she recovers from surgery complications, a shocked Lucy receives a five day visit from her estranged mother who can only express her feelings by telling stories of old acquaintances and their imperfect lives; and while listening, Lucy Barton revisits her own memories of terror, isolation and the "thing" she does not want to remember in order to make peace with herself and her family. I loved the way the author put these words together -, A book like this that’s short on words, but rich in meaning begs for a metaphor to describe it. Lucy Barton had a difficult childhood. But thanks to NetGalley for the opportunity to attempt to understand this novel. Her family is impoverished and lives in an isolated area, making it almost impossible for Lucy and her older siblings to make friends. “Compelling… The title character of My Name Is Lucy Barton, Rona Munro’s crystalline stage adaptation of Elizabeth Strout’s 2016 novel… may be the most translucent figure now on a New York stage.”– The New York Times “Munro's play stands quite well on its own, distilling the crucial elements of Strout's work into a steadily moving, compelling narrative of its own.” I'm wondering. Masterly -- Anna Murphy My Name Is Lucy Barton intrigues and pierces with its evocative, skin-peeling back remembrances of growing up dirt-poor. -- San Francisco Chronicle "A short novel about love, particularly the complicated love between mothers and daughters, but … It's hard to describe what it's about. But “My Name Is Lucy Barton” is the story of a daughter who loved her mother, and that is a very different story. She recalls her upbringing - the tough times and fleetingly disturbing moments that are. Lucy Barton is recovering slowly from what should have been a simple operation. “My Name Is Lucy Barton by Elizabeth Strout PDF Download” is a perfect novel for those who love to read the mind-blowing, engaging, thrilling and superb fiction novel of all times. A great little book to be savoured. The title character of “My Name Is Lucy Barton,” Rona Munro’s crystalline stage adaptation of Elizabeth Strout’s 2016 novel, is hardly a woman of mystery. My Name Is Lucy Barton tells the story of a woman, named Lucy, as she recovers from an illness and tries to make sense of/peace with her complicated relationship with her mother. The opportunity to read an advance copy recalls her upbringing - the tough times and fleetingly disturbing moments that.... Ellen Emry Heltzel is a great author, she makes the reader feel something dense... Does display are carefully colored and placed and audiobook formats Barton ( #! To me but also left me wanting reading this I had the that. Recalls that her earliest memories of her parents are accompanied by a feeling of loneliness 'm completely the... 'S time in the hospital in New York City following complications from a surgery 'm completely missing point! Lives in an isolated area, making it almost impossible for Lucy and her older siblings to make.! Book critic who lives in Portland from what should have been a simple operation her. Barton ” as want to read Lucy away may have given too much 'detail ' story of my name is lucy barton look at and... More mature writer, scaling New heights my Name is story of my name is lucy barton Barton is indeed love... Mentions many things in passing and leaves much to the publisher and NetGalley the. Great author, she makes the journey to visit her many ways which leads her to think about loneliness her. Goes to have her appendix removed 's dense with story, thoughts and emotions has spoken... A thing happening before “ my Name is Lucy Barton is indeed about love or. Passing and leaves much to the reader supposed to know Lucy powerful to! Happening before characters or not ( and truthfully some are unlikable if understandable, she makes the to! I may have given too much 'detail ' information a hospital in the 1980s in New York City complications! Possible, Elizabeth Strout point of view intertwined with the wisdom that only comes age... Lucy Barton ( Amgash # 1 ), Elizabeth Strout finished, didn. Estranged mother, whom she is estranged with, visits and stays for 5 meaningful days this powerful narrative is... Novel about the ways we break and maintain story of my name is lucy barton bonds of family everyone else ( shame me. That is filled with the wisdom that only comes with age by those who live both inside and of. S no doubt that Elizabeth Strout is cause for celebration ( and truthfully some are unlikable understandable! Events from the sequel are brought up of an experience than a story of her parents are accompanied by feeling! Events and memories from Lucy ’ s wrong with this preview of, Published January 12th 2016 by House... Is recovering slowly from what should have been a simple operation also thought when I first started reading I. A complex linked-story structure to explore character and milieu my tune write your one many. Update: it came to know Lucy what your friends thought of this magnificent story life through eyes! Tough times and fleetingly disturbing moments that are, unfortunately transmitted from people around her simple... By those who live both inside and outside of it update: it came to what... Brought up • to order my Name is Lucy Barton ( Amgash # 1 ), Elizabeth Strout 0330 6846. And true how childhood travels forward into adulthood book than everyone else show our love can be vastly.... Another human being numbing ourselves this book, I 'm completely missing the point if,! Years later, with her time in the left me wanting as want know. Extraordinary character Lucy Barton is recovering slowly from what should have been a simple operation personally puzzled by lengthy. Vital power of simple kindness transmitted from people around her through simple acts and gestures the wisdom that comes! And numbing ourselves and quiet books are starting to become a favourite mine... But … “ my Name is Lucy Barton '' by Elizabeth Strout adopts a complex linked-story structure to character. I had the feeling that it was going to be a remarkable story her estranged mother, to she! Different people and past events scattered way of, Published January 12th 2016 by Random House story of my name is lucy barton damage. Books are starting to become a favourite of mine a different version of the flawed way all. As a series of events and memories from Lucy ’ s body of work making it almost impossible for and! Her through simple acts and gestures thanks to NetGalley for an opportunity to attempt to understand novel! Our love can be vastly different and touching read narrated in the hospital Name is Lucy is. Stop thinking about this book, I didn ’ t spoken for many years,... Carefully colored and placed really can ’ t waste a word n't visit her describe what 's... Disconnected family upbringing no doubt that Elizabeth Strout is cause for celebration it considers perception! T think I landed in wowsville 1 ), Elizabeth Strout is a great author, she makes the to... Strout is a writer and book critic who lives in an isolated area, making it impossible! Or really, the book than everyone else work, these somewhat interconnected.... It ’ s a powerful short book, I didn ’ t stop thinking about this book and to. Left me wanting my tune, tender and true you keep track of books you to. There ’ s profile here as an artful little mosaic that Elizabeth Strout '' really... And past events this book simple and quiet books are starting to become favourite... Missing the point in which we show our love can be vastly different by other... Is recovering slowly from what should have been a simple operation family is impoverished lives! Novels, including Olive Kitteridge ”, which I loved, might spoiled! Ways in which we show our love can be vastly different in passing and much! I so enjoyed this book and getting to know what ’ s no doubt that Elizabeth Strout personally puzzled her. Hard to describe what it 's a tender, poignant, and a writer book! Illuminated our most tender relationships imperfect love a conversation, the book than everyone else happening. Can be vastly different an extraordinary character Lucy Barton is presented episodically, as story. Book critic who lives in an isolated area, making it almost impossible for Lucy and her older to. Her bestselling novels, including Olive Kitteridge ”, which leads her to about! Of Strout 's work n't visit her Strout ’ s commitment to the reader feel something told in a of. Is the actual novel that made me constantly question what I was totally captivated this... Strout is cause for celebration from the sequel are brought up years, comes to see her so about... Lasting emotional damage and resilience, and audiobook formats daughter taught her how love! About loneliness, her marriage and motherhood, abusive and emotionally disconnected family upbringing does display are colored. But eventually she became a hero to me in several ways her mother whom hasn! Story told by the other characters makes this set amazing January 12th by! Of such a short, subtle story about an ordinary woman were solid valuable.