"The Things We Never Say" | Reviewed by Chris Stuckenschneider

Pulitzer Prize winning author Elizabeth Strout doesn’t follow her usual path in “The Things We Never Say.” In her new book, readers won’t meet characters they’ve gotten to know from her previous bestsellers. Lucy Barton and Olive Kitteridge don’t make appearances, nor do others whom Strout fans have become familiar with.

Strout doesn’t return to her usual setting either—Maine gives way to Massachusetts where her protagonist Artie Dam teaches school, and lives with his wife Evie, a therapist. You have to love Artie, a dedicated educator, a high school history teacher who cares deeply for his students, takes his job seriously, and has sincere empathy for kids who struggle and are underdogs.

Artie and Evie have one son, Rob. When Rob was 17, the family suffered a tragedy. Rob had a car accident that killed his girlfriend Heather, and Rob was at fault. Evie didn’t know what led to the crash, but Artie did. It was something he never shared with his wife. Shaken and in need of an outlet, Evie started working as a therapist but closed the door on her own emotions. Once Evie had been warm and affectionate.

Rob was different after the accident too—he has few friends—but he does eventually marry a woman nine years older than him, Francesca, a concert pianist. There are rocky times for them too.

Artie is a complex person who presents a persona that’s not congruent with his feelings and outlook on life. He is well respected by his fellow teachers, and the administration at the high school where he’s an award-winning educator, but at 56 years-of-age Artie is seriously depressed, has suicidal thoughts and considers how to do away with himself. He imagines ways that will make his death appear natural, believing the best plan might be to drown himself when he’s out sailing in his boat.

When a freak happenstance on the water nearly makes his death wish come true, Artie does an about face, realizing the blessings of life, and the beauty in the world, as one given a second chance often does.

Unfortunately, Artie’s newfound euphoria is short-lived because of a bombshell that Rob divulges, news so profound that it rocks Artie to the core. It’s a secret with life-changing ramifications, a secret that should send Artie screaming into the streets—but instead of acting out, Artie internalizes his pain, only sharing the news with one friend he later discovers has a secret of his own.

“Things We Never Say” is a modern day tragedy and Artie, a kind, good man, bears the yoke of pain from circumstances he didn’t cause—the car crash and a devastating betrayal that’s kept from him for years. Readers will root for Artie, hoping he’ll find peace, the peace that comes with barring your soul and unburdening yourself, instead of merely plugging along without making waves.

There’s much to discuss in this brilliant character study by a prize-winning literary author who continues to make us stop and think, and contemplate the human condition.

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