"The Things We Never Say" by Elizabeth Strout. How a 200 page book could possibly have so much impact is beyond me. This is one of the most deeply moving books I have read in a long time, if ever. I have been so lucky recently to read some fantastic books, but this is indescribable. It made me think about things that I may not have spoken about, not being sure if there are those things. And the way the world and the political situation factors in to everything. That, I already knew but so succinctly described almost my own words. FIVE stars all the way and already have 2 more books by Elizabeth Strout in my TBR pile.

This is *The Things We Never Say by Elizabeth Strout* - Pulitzer Prize winner and #1 New York Times bestselling author of _Olive Kitteridge_ and _My Name Is Lucy Barton_.

It was published *May 5, 2026*, and was shortlisted for the *Booker Prize 2026* and picked for Barack Obama's 2026 Summer Reading List. It's a very different, standalone novel from her usual world.

Here is a summary in English:

*The Story:*

*Artie Dam* is 57 years old. He is a beloved high school history teacher living in an unnamed coastal town in *Massachusetts* on the beautiful Massachusetts Bay.

From the outside, his life looks perfect: He has been married to his wife *Evie* for over 30 years, he has a beautiful home, he loves sailing on weekends, he is Teacher of the Year, students love him.

Inside, he is living a double life. He is consumed by a quiet, growing loneliness. He looks at the world in 2024 - wars in Gaza and Ukraine, the political climate in America getting darker, the upcoming presidential election - and feels the whole world is capsizing. He feels disconnected from everyone, even his closest family.