The Things We Never Say

Artie Dam is a high school history teacher living a seemingly stable life in Massachusetts. He spends his time educating students, sailing on the bay, and maintaining a long marriage. Despite his outward presence, Artie struggles with deep isolation and a sense of disconnection from the world. This psychological literary fiction explores the profound question of how much we truly know about the people closest to us.

In The Things We Never Say, Volume 1, Elizabeth Strout examines a life changed by a sudden, life-altering revelation. This American literary fiction novel follows Artie as he navigates grief, bereavement, and the complexities of human connection. As he faces a secret that threatens his reality, he must reconsider his most cherished relationships. The Things We Never Say provides a moving look at friendship and the enduring impact of loss within 21st century world literature.