Tell Me Everything
Tell Me Everything ~ Elizabeth Strout
Lucy Barton is a writer who has moved from New York City to a small town in Maine. She and her ex-husband went there during the pandemic, and decided to stay (in Maine, and together). Lucy’s gift is that she really listens to people. She has an understanding heart, which helps her with her writing, and to be a good friend.
Olive Kitterage is a gruff 90 year old, living in a care facility in this same town. She is a retired school teacher.
Bob Burgess is a lawyer, long time friend of Olive, and newer friend of Lucy. Bob’s ex wife Pam had an affair years ago with Lucy’s husband, William.
Fans of Lucy Barton and Olive Kitterage will be pleased with this latest novel from Elizabeth Strout, a sort of murder mystery set in Maine that finally brings two of her main characters together. The main character of Tell Me Everything is perhaps Bob Burgess, who agrees to defend the main suspect in the murder case. The murder mystery is mostly going on in the background of the book, however. Strout’s books are about people and their stories, and things unfold in twisty turny ways, and the action is mostly told by one character to another, rather than happening to the characters in ‘real time’. So you don’t read about the conversation or event, you read about Lucy telling Bob about the conversation that happened earlier, and Bob’s reaction. It’s deceptively simple, and I have loved all of the books that I’ve read thus far, though I haven’t read all of Strout’s stories. I’ve read all of the Lucy Barton books, My Name is Lucy Barton, Anything is Possible, Oh, William!, Lucy by the Sea, and now Tell Me Everything. I read Olive Kitterage, but not Olive Again. A quick search of my blog tells me that I have not reviewed any of these books. I have this idea in my head that I review everything I’ve read, but clearly that is far from the truth. I first read Anything is Possible, and loved it. LOVED IT. Then I read My Name is Lucy Barton, and was already a fan when the other 3 came out, so I read them quickly. Or listened. I guess I read the first 2 in physical form, and listened to the others.
Anyway, back to Tell Me Everything. Strout’s writing is, as I said, deceptively simple. Small conversations about events that mostly take place ‘off screen’, that build up to a shattering story. Strout’s gift is in the meaning behind words not said, and Lucy is the perfect witness to the lives going on around her. Above all else, as a writer, she is deeply interested in people, in their stories, and in their heartbreaks. But that doesn’t mean she is emotionally removed. She is a gift, to the characters around her, and to us. Highly recommended.
15 Comments
Tobia | craftaliciousme
I’ve seen the authors name pop up here and there but never read one of hers. This one I find intruiging. I wonder… can it be read as stand alone or shoudl I read previous books beforehand?
I just checked and my library has most of them available.
Birchie
IMO it’s not necessary to read the books in order. I missed a book in the series and didn’t know until someone mentioned it to me.
J
I agree with Birchie, there’s plenty of explaining of relationships. I haven’t read all of the prior books, and I still knew enough about Olive and Bob.
Elisabeth
I loved My Name is Lucy Barton and then struggled with the rest of them. It’s so character driven, which would be fine if I could keep track of the blasted characters! I feel like I need a cheat sheet at the beginning of the books. I know Nicole LOVES Elizabeth Strout, and I’ve heard really good things about this book.
I think I’ll skip it, but it is tempting now that I learn Olive Kitterage AND Lucy Barton are in the same book. That’s pretty cool to have those literary characters overlap. Smart move by Strout, I’d say.
J
Interesting that you loved the first book and struggled with the rest. Olive is such a prickly character! I love the little details that Strout includes, where you can just SEE her. Like her shifting on her chair, or tugging on her sweater. Tiny things.
Ally Bean
Like I recently admitted on my blog, I don’t groove on Strout’s writing. However ditto what Elisabeth said, if Olive and Lucy are in the same novel I might try reading it.
J
I’m not convinced that folks who don’t love Strout’s book should read this one, actually. I loved it, but I’ve loved all of the Lucy Barton books. I didn’t LOVE Olive Kitterage.
Birchie
I put off reading Elizabeth Strout forever and finally read most of the Lucy Barton books this summer after Nicole mentioned them. Usually character driven books don’t work for me, but Lucy was a very pleasant exception.
J
Oh, I’m glad that Lucy was the exception. She’s a wonderful character.
Kyria @ Travel Spot
I am with Ally; I did not “groove” on Lucy Barton! This does not surprise me though, as you also loved MBF and I was not a huge fan, and I feel like the reason I did not love MBF and the reason I did not love Lucy were similar. So I will probably give this one a pass, but am looking forward to your next review. Have you read God of the Woods yet? I am curious to hear if you are team Birchie or team Lisa (PS I am the latter).
J
No, I haven’t read God of the Woods yet. I just put it on hold yesterday, but it’s a 9 week wait. I may use one of my Audible Credits and buy it, we’ll see.
Jenny
Hmm! I’m not usually a fan of character driven novels, but I feel like I should give Elizabeth Strout a try- so many people love her books. I think Birchie already answered this question, but can i just read this one without the others?
J
You definitely can, I think there’s enough explination. I haven’t read all of the prior books myself, though I have read and loved all of the Lucy Barton books.
NGS
I read one Lucy Barton book and it was so good and it tore me up and I have vowed to not read any more Lucy books ever again. It hit too close to home. I guess Strout is TOO GOOD of an author for me?
J
I’m guessing you read the first book, where she’s remembering her time in the hospital and her mom is visiting, that one was rough. Though I think there are rough spots in all of her books, so perhaps you’re doing the right thing by avoiding further contact.