Elizabeth Strout explores isolation in new novel ‘Things We Do Not Say’

Pulitzer Prize-winning American author Elizabeth Strout has released a new novel titled ‘Things We Do Not Say’ (published in Italy by Einaudi, translated by Susanna Basso). The book has been shortlisted for the 2026 Booker Prize.

The story follows Artie Dam, a highly respected history teacher in Massachusetts, a devoted husband to Evie, and a father to Rob. Despite his successful professional life and seemingly stable domestic existence, Artie struggles with profound internal isolation and a sense of being unknown to those closest to him.

The narrative explores the consequences of unspoken truths and the gap between public personas and private realities. A boating accident and the emergence of a secret serve as turning points in the story, which examines the difficulty of truly communicating with others even within intimate relationships.