Reviews

Anything is Possible by Elizabeth Strout

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donnawr1's review against another edition

4.0

After absolutely loving My Name is Lucy Barton I was eager to read Anything is Possible because it is a follow up of sorts. It is a collection of short stories with characters introduced during the gossip of Lucy and her mother in the first book. Interestingly, Elizabeth Strout wrote many of the scenes in this book while she was writing the first, partly as curiosity about the characters she was introducing in dialogue.

All of the characters were originally from the small town of Amgash and as we read through the stories, we learn tidbits about the main character of that story and their close associated, but also of other characters in the book. This gives the stories a layered, even more satisfying feeling. Most fun of all was finding the tidbits about Lucy Barton, almost like a treasure hunt, as we learn more about her life after she becomes a successful author. One of the stories does have Lucy in person as one of the major characters, but told from the perspective of her brother. Lots of interesting family dynamics going on in that story as well as so many of the others.

Elizabeth Strout has a gift for bringing to life seemingly ordinary people and their relationships, gently showing what motivates them and especially past histories, abuse and poverty that motivate individuals throughout their lives. The writing is masterful, sometimes making me stop and sigh at how well words were put together. The writing flows so lightly and quickly, that it's easy to miss if you don't give yourself time to savor as you read. I plan to read more Elizabeth Strout novels.

Here's a passage that I enjoyed in Dottie's Bed and Breakfast, but there are so many others:
When Dottie saw couples like Mr. and Mrs. Small, she was sometimes comforted that her painful divorce years earlier had at least prevented her from becoming a Mrs. Small--in other words, a nervous, slightly whiny woman whose husband ignored her and so naturally made her more anxious. This you saw all the time. And when Dottie saw it, she was reminded that almost always--oddly, she thought it was odd--she seemed a stronger person without her husband, even though she missed him every day.

justineharvey's review against another edition

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emotional reflective medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

troulino's review against another edition

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challenging emotional hopeful inspiring reflective sad medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? No
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

zoe42's review against another edition

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challenging dark emotional hopeful informative reflective sad tense medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

fsleineweber's review against another edition

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2.0

not a fan

I did not like this book. The one positive uplifting statement right at the end did not erase the 250+ pages of depressing stories. Amgash is not a town I’d ever want to live in, visit, or return to if I made it out. I’m so sad this is a series and that book #4 is my book club book this month. The only reason I gave it two stars is because Ms. Strout is a talented author.