The Things We Never Say by Elizabeth Strout is a thinking book. Everyone once in a while you need to stop and think about it. The main character does as well, which is what makes the book so interesting. Artie Damn was a high school history teacher. He was highly regarded and worked to make the students understand history in a first person way.
Meanwhile, Artie was facing his own understanding of his life and what he felt. On the surface, he looked like a man who had his life together and knew the answers. In reality he questioned what he really knew and what we really know about others, even those closest to us. The questions drew me into the book even though it is not a book I would normally pick up.
Elizabeth Strout made Artie a realistic character full of flaws and thoughts and reflections that we all face. Artie’s universality made him even more accessible, even after finding out a secret that made Artie question what is known. I really liked Artie in spite of his fallibility.
The Things We Never Say by Elizabeth Strout is a wonderful read.
