A review by jmatkinson1
Anything is Possible by Elizabeth Strout
5.0
Huge cast of characters live their lives in and around a small town two hours from Chicago. Some know, or are related to, the author Lucy Barton, others appear tangentially in each others' lives. From the former farmer who became a school janitor to the three Nicely sisters, each has a tale to tell.
I have never been a fan of short stories yet this did not feel like a set of short stories as the tales jigsaw together so neatly. I have also not read anything written by Strout before and was wary of her reputation. How wrong can one be! This is a spare book and I devoured it in one evening, the writing is so engaging and the characters so rounded and believable. Now I understand why Strout is so well thought of - this book is magnificent in the way it plays the simple and mundane and contrasts them with huge emotions.
I have never been a fan of short stories yet this did not feel like a set of short stories as the tales jigsaw together so neatly. I have also not read anything written by Strout before and was wary of her reputation. How wrong can one be! This is a spare book and I devoured it in one evening, the writing is so engaging and the characters so rounded and believable. Now I understand why Strout is so well thought of - this book is magnificent in the way it plays the simple and mundane and contrasts them with huge emotions.