A Tapestry of Small-Town Lives
In the vast landscape of American literature, few authors capture the essence of small-town life with the same acuity and compassion as Elizabeth Strout. Her latest offering, “Anything Is Possible,” is a masterful collection of interconnected stories that delves deep into the hearts and minds of the residents of Amgash, Illinois, and its surrounding areas. Like a patchwork quilt lovingly stitched together, each tale in this book contributes to a larger, more complex picture of human experience.
Strout, who won the Pulitzer Prize for her earlier work “Olive Kitteridge,” once again demonstrates her uncanny ability to illuminate the extraordinary within the ordinary. In “Anything Is Possible,” she peels back the layers of seemingly unremarkable lives to reveal the profound hopes, fears, and longings that simmer beneath the surface.
A Return to Familiar Ground
For readers of Strout’s previous novel, “My Name Is Lucy Barton,” this book serves as both a companion piece and a standalone work. While Lucy Barton makes an appearance, she is not the central focus. Instead, Strout expands the universe of Amgash, populating it with a cast of characters whose lives intersect in unexpected and often poignant ways.
The Ties That Bind
At its core, “Anything Is Possible” is an exploration of family bonds—their strength, their fragility, and their ability to shape us long into adulthood. From the Barton siblings grappling with their impoverished upbringing to the wealthy Nicely sisters navigating the aftermath of their parents’ divorce, Strout paints a nuanced portrait of familial relationships in all their complexity.
The Weight of the Past
One of the book’s recurring themes is the long shadow cast by childhood experiences. Characters struggle to reconcile their adult selves with the memories—often painful—of their younger years. This is perhaps most evident in the story “Sister,” where Lucy Barton’s return to Amgash after seventeen years away reopens old wounds and forces a confrontation with long-buried truths.
A Masterclass in Character Development
Strout’s greatest strength lies in her ability to create fully realized characters in just a few deft strokes. Each story in “Anything Is Possible” introduces us to individuals who feel startlingly real, their inner lives rendered with such clarity that we cannot help but empathize with them, even when their actions are less than admirable.
The Richness of Ordinary Lives
Take, for example, Patty Nicely in “The Sign.” A high school guidance counselor grappling with her own insecurities, Patty’s encounter with a troubled student forces her to confront uncomfortable truths about herself and her past. Strout’s portrayal of Patty is both unflinching and deeply compassionate, allowing us to see the vulnerability beneath her prickly exterior.
The Complexity of Human Nature
In “Cracked,” we meet Linda Peterson-Cornell, a wealthy woman whose carefully constructed life begins to unravel when she hosts a photographer in her home. Strout deftly explores the power dynamics at play, revealing the insecurities and prejudices that lurk beneath Linda’s polished surface. It’s a masterful study in the contradictions that exist within us all.
The Power of Empathy
Perhaps the most striking aspect of “Anything Is Possible” is Strout’s unwavering empathy for her characters. Even when they behave badly or make questionable choices, she never judges them. Instead, she invites us to understand the experiences and emotions that drive their actions.
Finding Beauty in Brokenness
This empathy extends to the book’s treatment of trauma and hardship. Strout doesn’t shy away from difficult subjects—poverty, abuse, loneliness—but she also doesn’t wallow in misery. Instead, she shows us how people find ways to persevere, to find moments of joy and connection even in the face of adversity.
The Possibility of Redemption
The title “Anything Is Possible” speaks to this underlying sense of hope that permeates the book. Even in the darkest moments, Strout suggests that there is always the potential for change, for growth, for unexpected grace. This is beautifully illustrated in “Gift,” where an aging businessman has a life-changing encounter during a Christmas pageant.
A Masterful Exploration of Small-Town America
While the stories in “Anything Is Possible” by Elizabeth Strout are deeply personal, they also paint a vivid picture of life in a small Midwestern town. Strout captures the claustrophobia and comfort of a place where everyone knows everyone else’s business, where the past is never truly past, and where change comes slowly but inexorably.
The Changing Face of Rural America
Through her characters’ experiences, Strout touches on larger themes affecting small-town America—the decline of family farms, the impact of war on multiple generations, the tension between tradition and progress. She does this with a light touch, never allowing these broader issues to overshadow the intimate personal dramas at the heart of each story.
A Triumph of Storytelling
“Anything Is Possible” is a testament to Elizabeth Strout’s skill as a storyteller. Her prose is elegant yet accessible, with a rhythm that pulls the reader along effortlessly. Each story feels complete in itself, yet they all contribute to a larger narrative tapestry that is greater than the sum of its parts.
The Art of the Interconnected Story Collection
The interconnected nature of the stories adds depth and richness to the reading experience. Characters who play a central role in one story may appear as a passing mention in another, creating a web of connections that mirrors the intricate social fabric of small-town life. This structure allows Strout to explore her themes from multiple angles, offering a more complete and nuanced view of her fictional world.
In Conclusion: A Book That Lingers
“Anything Is Possible” is not a book that can be easily forgotten. Long after the final page is turned, Strout’s characters continue to live in the reader’s mind, their stories resonating with our own experiences of love, loss, and the search for meaning in an often confusing world.
This is a book that rewards rereading, revealing new layers of meaning and connection with each visit. It’s a powerful reminder of the transformative power of empathy and the endless possibilities that exist within the human heart.
For fans of Elizabeth Strout’s previous work, “Anything Is Possible” will feel like a welcome return to familiar territory. For those new to her writing, it serves as an excellent introduction to one of America’s most gifted and empathetic storytellers.
In a literary landscape often dominated by grand narratives and larger-than-life characters, Strout’s focus on the quiet dramas of ordinary people feels both refreshing and profoundly necessary. “Anything Is Possible” reminds us that every life, no matter how seemingly small or unremarkable, contains within it a universe of emotion, experience, and yes, possibility.
Comparable Works
Readers who enjoy “Anything Is Possible” might also appreciate:
- “Olive Kitteridge” by Elizabeth Strout
- “Winesburg, Ohio” by Sherwood Anderson
- “A Visit from the Goon Squad” by Jennifer Egan
- “The Beggar Maid” by Alice Munro
These works share Strout’s interest in interconnected stories, small-town life, and the complexities of human relationships.