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Start your review of My Proper name Is Lucy Barton: A Novel by Elizabeth Strout | Summary & Highlights

Mar 01, 2016 Michael rated information technology liked it

I am not sure that I tin write a articulate review of this volume having only finished it. I was both disappointed and enthralled at the same time. I wanted more; and all the same I love the sparsity of her writing. I wish she wasn't so vague well-nigh what happened. She has an unusual human relationship with her mother for sure;l and why was she in the hospital to begin with? Many many questions that may haunt me for months to come. Is that the sign of a adept book? Help!!!!! I am not sure that I can write a clear review of this volume having merely finished it. I was both disappointed and enthralled at the same time. I wanted more; and yet I dearest the sparsity of her writing. I wish she wasn't so vague about what happened. She has an unusual relationship with her mother for sure;fifty and why was she in the hospital to begin with? Many many questions that may haunt me for months to come up. Is that the sign of a good book? Help!!!!! ...more

Jan xxx, 2016 Nancy Simmons rated information technology information technology was amazing

A wonderful portrait of mother/daughter relationships. It is pitched that way, and as events unfold, it seems to exist so. But in the end, information technology was an expose of life. An examined life. Of her life, and at times, I felt it was of my life. And that is the way Strout's works effect me. Sometimes I experience like I actually know her characters, and in this example, although Lucy'southward life situations were very dissimilar from mine, I constitute myself identifying with her on many levels.
I will say, equally the book evolved. I A wonderful portrait of mother/daughter relationships. It is pitched that way, and every bit events unfold, information technology seems to be so. Simply in the end, it was an expose of life. An examined life. Of her life, and at times, I felt it was of my life. And that is the way Strout's works issue me. Sometimes I feel similar I actually know her characters, and in this case, although Lucy'southward life situations were very different from mine, I constitute myself identifying with her on many levels.
I volition say, every bit the book evolved. I was saddened with the very brusk chapters, and at how speedily I was able to read information technology. But I gauge that is testament to the fact that I didn't desire it to end.
I dear Strout's use of linguistic communication, her employ of words, her settings, the poetry I constitute in her descriptions of places I was myself familiar with. Needless to say, I loved the book. ...more

November 06, 2016 Natalie rated it did non like it

Concept sounded interesting. It wasn't. I was bored to tears. Gave up. Didn't finish. Concept sounded interesting. It wasn't. I was bored to tears. Gave up. Didn't terminate. ...more

May 04, 2016 Kitty rated it it was ok

What makes a riveting novel ? For me, information technology is one where you look frontwards to reading each page, a sense of connectedness to the character (whether comparing, identifying, empathizing, disliking...). Tin i feel empathy for a character who fils to accomplish depth in her relationships?

Information technology was a stumbling block for me, as writer, reading virtually Lucy, who says lines such as, "writing should never write to "protect someone". What is information technology that Lucy is protecting as she provides what feels to be snapshots withou

What makes a riveting novel ? For me, it is one where you expect forward to reading each folio, a sense of connection to the character (whether comparing, identifying, empathizing, disliking...). Can ane feel empathy for a graphic symbol who fils to accomplish depth in her relationships?

It was a stumbling block for me, as writer, reading about Lucy, who says lines such as, "writing should never write to "protect someone". What is it that Lucy is protecting as she provides what feels to be snapshots without substance? Can she write about poverty authentically?
This self-reflective argument leaves me unconvinced and not terribly moved: "You take to exist ruthless to be a writer... the grabbing on to yourself and saying "this is me, and I will not go where I can't bear to go, simply volition hurl onward through my life... ".

Set up upwards – a female parent comes to visit her daughter, and her stories give you a sense both of the people in Amgash, Illinois, flashbacks of memory and the overwhelming sadness of a female parent who cannot say
" I love you" to her daughter... cannot once enquire about what her daughter values in her life.
Lucy'southward life: exist a writer, love her ii daughters... At that place is not much depth to her marriage... merely a passing illusion to her love of the dr. treating her. We find out virtually her one friend Jeremy who dies of aids... a heart-rending prototype of her blood brother who dressed upwards in his female parent's high heels, a bra over his teeshirt, and beads, being dragged in the streets past the father. The enforced parading of the son through the streets past the father didn't fit with the reclusive nature of the male parent, nor did it assistance develop an agreement of the "matter" in her father, who murdered past accident 2 German soldiers...

I beloved the idea of "feelings in life having flavor" -- but I don't gustatory modality the season of loneliness, although I know information technology is there. What exercise you practise when you feel very small in a very large universe-- and why would knowing about it matter to some other ? Is the response of the soul only to deflate and say "oh" ? The description of the the statue of the man with agony on his face, and the children at his feet, clinging, begging him, his hands pulling at his rima oris is agonizing peculiarly learning that the children are offer themselves every bit food for their male parent; he is being starved to death in prison... and the children but want one thing: to have their male parent'southward distress disappear. They will allow him, oh, happily, happily—to eat them. "Oh" they say. This is a strange scene, and although distressing, not believable.

I enjoyed learning about the Indians... and Black Militarist who said: "How smooth must be the language of the whites, when they can make correct look like wrong, and incorrect like right."

I am left looking at the Chrysler building on comprehend and the 3 references to this building that don't seem to develop a theme.

...more

Feb 22, 2016 Liz rated it really liked it

Elizabeth Strout's writing and characters never fail to impress and motion me. Would take given this 5 stars merely I thought it was a novel. Information technology was more of a novella and I wasn't expecting it to be then curt. I wanted more than and was a bit disappointed. Elizabeth Strout's writing and characters never fail to impress and move me. Would have given this five stars only I thought it was a novel. It was more of a novella and I wasn't expecting it to be so brusque. I wanted more and was a fleck disappointed. ...more

Aug 01, 2016 Helen rated it did not like it

While I was looking forward to reading a book that was supposed to give some insights into the grapheme'southward relationships with her own mother, husband, girl, etc., I didn't come up with annihilation! Too vague. While I was looking forwards to reading a book that was supposed to give some insights into the character's relationships with her own mother, husband, daughter, etc., I didn't come up up with annihilation! Too vague. ...more

Feb 09, 2016 Phyllis rated information technology really liked information technology

Could have been a story well-nigh so many of united states. The characters were real, people I know. Even when I wasn't reading I was thinking most Lucy and her Mother.
Could take been a story about and then many of united states of america. The characters were real, people I know. Even when I wasn't reading I was thinking nearly Lucy and her Mother.
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This novel is skillful, (3 1/2 stars, if information technology were allowed), only for me it'due south not a patch on Strout'due south related book of nine interlinked stories, 'Anything is Possible', in which we get a finely imagined mosaic of the lives of those left behind in Lucy Barton's dusty native boondocks of Amgash, Illinois. There is ane absolutely outstanding scene in the novel, though - when Lucy recalls having to turn away from a New York Pride parade, haunted by the vision of her brother Pete as a distraught teenager beingness ma This novel is good, (3 ane/2 stars, if it were allowed), but for me it's not a patch on Strout'southward related book of ix interlinked stories, 'Anything is Possible', in which we go a finely imagined mosaic of the lives of those left backside in Lucy Barton's dusty native town of Amgash, Illinois. There is one absolutely outstanding scene in the novel, though - when Lucy recalls having to plough abroad from a New York Pride parade, haunted by the vision of her brother Pete as a distraught teenager being marched humiliatingly through the town in high-heels and bra by their outraged begetter. ...more

December 16, 2019 Apr L rated information technology liked it

Although the volume tapped into 'Lucy's' mind, I was left with many questions. Many of her memories suggested violence and fail, 1 was left with merely suppositions. So every bit much as I loved 'Olive Kitteridge,' I plant myself hanging from a limb without conclusions of Lucy.

November 26, 2019 Sandra rated it actually liked it

So much left implied. I didn't desire it to end. Maybe there will be a follow up. And then much left unsaid. I didn't desire information technology to end. Possibly there volition be a follow up. ...more

I very much admired Elizabeth Strout'south novel "Olive Kittridge," and then was fatigued to this championship since it'due south been on the best seller listing the last few weeks. Once again, the author delivers a powerful story in a deceptively unproblematic concentrated package of less than 200 pages. The novel is set in New York Metropolis, nearly of the scenes in a hospital where Lucy Barton is in bed struggling with a serious long term infection in the shadow of the Chrysler building visible through her window. Her husband has called I very much admired Elizabeth Strout'south novel "Olive Kittridge," so was drawn to this title since it's been on the best seller list the last few weeks. Once more, the author delivers a powerful story in a deceptively simple concentrated package of less than 200 pages. The novel is set in New York Metropolis, almost of the scenes in a infirmary where Lucy Barton is in bed struggling with a serious long term infection in the shadow of the Chrysler edifice visible through her window. Her husband has called her female parent to come and exist with her while he looks after their two children. Lucy's relationship with her female parent is strained, especially because so much tin can't be said almost their family life and how extreme poverty afflicted them both. While her female parent sleeps sitting in a chair by her bedside they are able to exist more honest with each other than they ever have been. Her mother gradually from a deep reserve, shares details nearly events and people from their home town. Lucy's gratitude for these shreds from her mother is heartfelt, and she must live satisfied with whatever her mother can communicate, even if information technology is and so emotionally limited and constrained. As in her other titles, Elizabeth Strout succeeds in carrying the complexity of life with minimal words, expressing the nature of Yankee emotional reserve in a convincing tour de force. ...more

Mar 03, 2016 Patty rated it it was amazing

Such a childhood of poverty, trash that neighbors and schoolmates ridiculed. Lucy stayed at school to stay warm and studied. She won a scholarship and went to higher. She did not stay in touch on with or visit her family unit subsequently marrying a German. Her Dad was in WWII and could not abide Germans and her Mother took her Father'due south side. Also the memories that never leave, this book gives insight on what it means to write.
"And she said that her task as a writer of fiction was to report on the man con Such a childhood of poverty, trash that neighbors and schoolmates ridiculed. Lucy stayed at school to stay warm and studied. She won a scholarship and went to higher. She did not stay in touch with or visit her family after marrying a German. Her Dad was in WWII and could not abide Germans and her Mother took her Begetter's side. Also the memories that never go out, this book gives insight on what it means to write.
"And she said that her job every bit a writer of fiction was to report on the human being condition, to tell u.s. who nosotros are and what nosotros remember and what nosotros do".
"But I think I know then well the pain nosotros children clutch to out chests, how it lasts our whole lifetime, with longings so big you can't fifty-fifty weep. Nosotros concord it tight, nosotros practice, with each seizure of the beating eye: This is mine, this is mine, this is mine".
"You volition have merely ane story," she had said. "You'll write your one story many ways. Don't always worry about story. You have but one."
"I take said before: Information technology interests me how we find ways to feel superior to another person, some other group of people. It happens everywhere, and all the fourth dimension. Any we call it, I think information technology'southward the lowest office of who we are, this demand to find someone else to put down."
...more

May 07, 2016 Jackie rated it liked it

Elisabeth Strout is a gifted author for certain, but the infinite between the words and feelings was but too overwhelming for me to fill up in. Just equally Lucy didn't actually want to uncover the buried events in her life, I didn't want to either. A painful book to read which focuses upon Lucy's feelings of longing to be loved, to vest, to accept, and to just BE - to be accepted with the ease that center course people in her earth were accepted. I don't know what experience the author has had with poverty and Elisabeth Strout is a gifted author for sure, simply the space between the words and feelings was only also overwhelming for me to make full in. Just as Lucy didn't actually want to uncover the cached events in her life, I didn't desire to either. A painful book to read which focuses upon Lucy's feelings of longing to be loved, to belong, to have, and to just BE - to be accepted with the ease that centre class people in her earth were accepted. I don't know what feel the author has had with poverty and despair, just she writes every bit if she knows it well. ...more

Mar 22, 2016 Sheila rated it really liked information technology

Cute book ,wonderfully written. So much left unsaid. Not a typical mother / girl human relationship merely so interesting. We never really find out the 'secrets' that went on in Lucy'southward home , merely figure information technology was something of a sexual nature. Another book that shows how scarred we tin can be from our childhood experiences. Beautiful book ,wonderfully written. So much left implied. Not a typical mother / daughter human relationship but so interesting. We never really find out the 'secrets' that went on in Lucy's home , but figure it was something of a sexual nature. Another book that shows how scarred nosotros can be from our babyhood experiences. ...more

Jan xxx, 2016 Virginia rated it it was amazing

What a powerful book about Mother/daughter human relationship or lack of human relationship. Written in elementary strong language, curt "chapters", and comparisons with other people in her life and how they affected her with what seems her quest for emotional closeness to others. What a powerful book about Mother/daughter relationship or lack of relationship. Written in uncomplicated potent language, brusk "chapters", and comparisons with other people in her life and how they affected her with what seems her quest for emotional closeness to others. ...more

very short story...more of a novella than a book. the story was adept and well written I was just disappointed to come across that information technology was less than two hundred pages many of which were half white infinite. Not a good entertainment value when yous consider the price.

Jan 31, 2016 Nancy Jacobson rated it really liked it

I haven't read a book written in the first person in a very long fourth dimension. This volume is beautiful. The mother-daughter relationships are truly from the middle. The thoughts that Lucy shares are and so realistic and believable. Elizabeth Stout is a sensitive author. I haven't read a book written in the first person in a very long time. This volume is beautiful. The mother-daughter relationships are truly from the centre. The thoughts that Lucy shares are then realistic and believable. Elizabeth Stout is a sensitive author. ...more

Mar 22, 2016 Sharon rated information technology liked it

Although this book received excellent reviews, and I appreciate the good writing, I must admit that I did not enjoy the story very much. Lucy's childhood was terrible and I could not relate to her relationship with her mother. Although this volume received first-class reviews, and I appreciate the practiced writing, I must admit that I did not savour the story very much. Lucy's babyhood was terrible and I could not relate to her relationship with her mother. ...more

Jan 31, 2016 Vickie Marton rated it really liked it

I loved this book. I loved Lucy Barton. Although she has enjoyed some success she is also wounded from her childhood, and those wounds run deep. The have affected her throughout her life, but she has survived and in some ways thrived, wounded. I recollect so many of united states can relate to Lucy Barton.

Mar 02, 2016 Kerry rated it it was amazing

This is a quick read and it was crawly. The style of writing is very personal and it is but so insightful. Very worth reading....

May 25, 2016 Nanci rated information technology liked information technology

Pretty good book and a quick read. A little hard to follow Lucy'due south railroad train of idea. Pretty good book and a quick read. A piffling hard to follow Lucy's railroad train of idea. ...more

I found information technology to be depressing!

I loved every word. For anyone who has ever had a mother, read it.

Apr 28, 2016 Didi rated information technology information technology was amazing

Maybe her all-time even so. An exquisite journeying of discovering your ain narrative in your family, your city and especially your relationship with your mother.