Elizabeth Strout publishes 11th novel introducing new characters in The Things We Never Say
Updated
Updated · The Guardian · Apr 27
Elizabeth Strout publishes 11th novel introducing new characters in The Things We Never Say
13 articles · Updated · The Guardian · Apr 27
Set in coastal Massachusetts, the novel centers on Artie Dam, a 57-year-old history teacher facing family and personal struggles after a tragic car accident involving his son.
The book explores themes of class difference, grief, and existential uncertainty, as Artie navigates a growing rift with his wife Evie and their withdrawn son Rob, while coping with societal anxieties.
Departing from her interconnected previous works, Strout introduces a fresh cast, inviting readers to reflect on free will, circumstance, and the enduring mysteries of ordinary lives.
Can Elizabeth Strout's new characters ever truly eclipse the beloved Olive Kitteridge?
How does a decade-old tragedy secretly poison a seemingly happy family?
How does the 'creeping dread' of the sea mirror a man's internal despair?
What unspoken truths hold the most power to shatter a family?
Is abandoning a successful literary universe a brave artistic choice or a huge risk?
How does national political anxiety invade our most private family lives?