I’ve just finished another book! And I thought you might be interested in my review of this book which will be published (at least in the UK) in May 2026.

As usual with Elizabeth Strout books, this one is set in New England and is fluently written with deep understanding of our human condition. What indeed are the things to which we dare not give voice, the things we never say? By entering into the stream of consciousness of her characters, Strout is able to show us, without specifically saying, how we can think things which we would never dare admit to others. Will Artie commit suicide? Will he reveal what he knows about their son to his wife? And what of the other characters - do they too have hidden and unconfessed things they think about, dream about or indeed fearfully worry and have nightmares about?

There is a theme of fear running as an undercurrent - fear of life, of circumstances, of what people might do or think or say; and fear at the impending Presidential Election, which has now happened of course, although President Trump isn't mentioned by name. Fear manifests itself in different ways for each of us and this is certainly true for the characters in this book. It is never overstated; but it is there as it is for so many people throughout life. But Strout handles this with ease, with a lightness of touch which doesn't undermine the seriousness of each character's situation. It is a deft handling of what could have been a heavy subject.

I was soon drawn into this book and to the story of teacher Artie Dam, and his family, students and acquaintances. For me it is one of the best of Strout's novels - and I have read them all in order!

With thanks for the copy I received as an ARC from the publishers and NetGalley.. This hasn't swayed my opinion; as I have mentioned, I 've read all of Strout's books, and enjoyed them.