The Pulitzer Prize-winning author revives a beloved protagonist in her latest novel.
Elizabeth Strout’s readers are already familiar with the title character of her new novel,Oh William!
(on shelves now).
Elizabeth Strout.Victoria Will
In a flash, I realized: He’ll have his story.
I literally thought the words ‘Oh, William!'"
(Linney’s idea about William’s extramarital relationships did make it to the page.)
‘Oh, William!,’ by Elizabeth Strout.Random House
This William is Lucy’s ex-husband, a once successful scientist in the midst of a late-life crisis.
Through all of William’s tribulations, Lucy remains front and center in the new novel.
And for what it’s worth, there’s a lot of Laura Linney there too.
“I don’t see Lucy as Laura, but they are both without guile,” Strout says.
“There is a simplicity in their voicesnot in content, but of deliverythat they share.”
“A teacher [at Borough of Manhattan Community College], a writer, and a mother.
I felt people would respect the teacher part.
Despite her massive success, Strout admits to still feeling prepublication anxiety.
She also confesses that she’s uncomfortable with success and self-promotion.
And yet here in the spotlight she remains.
Her 2008 novelOlive Kitteridgewas also a best-seller, and its 2014 HBO adaptation won eight Emmys.
I thought, well, yeah, dopey-head.”
