I was moved by Strout's writing. This was my first experience with her work, so I can only speak for this particular novel, but for me she walked an exquisite line between Kurt Vonnegut and Annie Dillard. I know, that sounds like a hell of a weird combination, but it is how I heard the authorial voice and it was very pleasing to me since these are two of my favorite authors.
Strout's presentation of Lucy's story is deftly done. The reader glides from the rural Illinois of Lucy's childhood to 1980s New York City, to Lucy's present day life. There is no turbulence here in the shifting. It is smooth and you always are clear on when and where the story is taking place. Of course, this is not something all authors are capable of doing. Many authors want you to work for that information. Strout's focus is on the story, which I appreciate.
So, who is Lucy Barton? In the end the reader knows a great deal about certain elements of Lucy's life. We know she has dealt her entire life with issues of class. We see this unfold through her approach to others, but even more so through how others view her. She is raised in poverty. Strout shows us the discomfort Lucy feels as a child when she is simultaneously treated as a charity case and dismissed as "trash."
Being raised in poverty, it is almost impossible to better oneself and rise above that. Forget all that "pulling yourself up by your bootstraps" mythology of the American Dream. In reality it is difficult to attain that social mobility. We see with Lucy's brother and sister the reality of what being raised in poverty generally means for that child. Lucy is one of the exceptions though. She is a sensitive child, and an intelligent one. She reads, enjoys learning. She goes to college. Marries. Becomes an artist. She is a success story, but underlying that "success" is a certain timidity and distrust of self. On some level she remains throughout her life that scared little hungry girl who can't get enough love and attention from her parents.
Much of the novel takes place in a hospital room in New York City. Lucy becomes ill after a surgery and has to remain in the hospital for many long weeks. At one point during her illness, her mother comes from Illinois to keep her company. Lucy's mother is emotionally closed and hard to like in many ways. She doesn't give of herself freely and is honestly cold. As their conversations unfold, it is hinted that Lucy's mom's childhood was not a safe one. Strout leaves the specifics of that to the reader's imagination.
Overall I liked this book very much. It is a book that keeps you reading and interested. Lucy Barton is a flawed but fascinating character. I loved coming to understand who she is, where she comes from, and how that still has a hold on her. As someone who was raised in rural Tennessee in a family that was generally working class, but sometimes dipped into poverty I felt a definite kinship to Lucy. I understand the universal truth that lies at the heart of what Strout is sharing with the reader: we are shaped by our childhoods, no matter how hard or soft our upbringing might be. We may excel. We may become successful, but deep down, that scared child is still trying to understand what happened. That scared child still feels alone. And that can make some very large waves in your adult life.
I recommend this book to anyone who likes good writing, a good story, interesting characters, and diving deep into the questions of what makes us who we are.
My Name is Lucy Barton is set to be released by Random House in January 2016. Thanks to netgalley for the review copy.
I rate by lighting bolts
5=high voltage (drop what you're doing and read this now)
4=electrifying (excellent, highly recommended)the library)
3= dynamic (good, give it a try)
2=charged (don't pay for it, try
1=scorched earth (avoid)
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