Anything is Possible BOOK REVIEW

• Date Published:
  2017
• Length:
  272 pages—Listening Time: 8 hrs, 29 minutes
• Genre:
  General Fiction
• Setting:
  Time not explicitly stated but thought to be the late 1990s to 2010s, the fictional town of Amgash, Illinois
• Awards:
  Shortlisted for the International Dublin Literary Award 2018; New York Times Bestseller International Dublin Literary Award Longlist 2019; Not the Booker Prize Shortlist 2017; The Story Prize Winner 2017; Booklist Editors' Choice: Adult Audio 2017; The Writers' Prize Shortlist 2018
• Language :
  English, but translated into 13 languages including: Catalan, Chinese, Danish, Dutch, English, Finnish, German, Italian, Latin, Polish, Portuguese, Spanish, and Swedish
• Sensitive Aspects:
  PTSD from sexual assault, poverty, class humiliation, and loneliness
• Movie:
  As of April 2025, there are no movie deals announced.
• Recommend for Book Club:
  YES, most all book clubs will enjoy this book as well as the entire Lucy Barton series.

Lucy, I'm home! I love the Lucy Barton books.

Anything is Possible by Elizabeth Strout is the second in the series, but please don't even consider picking up this book to read until you've read My Name is Lucy Barton, the first book in the series. In it, Lucy's estranged mother visits her in her hospital room in New York City. As Lucy recovers from complications following an appendectomy, the two gossip about all of the goings-on of the townsfolk in Amgash, Illinois, Lucy's hometown. Anything Is Possible fills in the backstories for all of the characters mentioned.

If you grew up in a small town, you'll "get it" when you read this book. It's difficult to keep secrets in a small town, and Strout masterfully tells all.

Just in case you are ready to be a Lucy Barton junkie like me, so far, there are five books in the series:

• My Name is Lucy Barton—2016.
• Anything is Possible—2017
• Oh William—2021
• Lucy by the Sea—2022
• Tell Me Everything—2024

And, while you are at it, you might want to read Olive Kitteridge (2009 Winner of the Pulitzer Prize for Fiction) and Olive Again. Olive and Lucy meet and become friends in Tell Me Everything, so you'll want to know all about Olive before you read the last book.

Anything is Possible is actually a collection of 9 stories about townspeople in Angah, Illinois. You may think as you read that there is no connection between these characters apart from the fact that they live or have lived in Amgash, but as you immerse yourself in each tale, you will realize that there is one common thread: they are all, through influence or genetics, related to Lucy Barton.

Here are the nine vignettes:

1. "The Sign": A retired school janitor visits Lucy Barton's brother Pete, reflecting on their shared history and the emotional scars left by their father.
2. "Windmills": Tommy Guptill, a former farmer turned janitor, grapples with his faith and memories of a fire that changed his life.
3. "Mississippi Mary": A woman ostracized for her rumored promiscuity reconnects with her daughter, who struggles to understand her mother’s choices.
4. "Sister": Lucy Barton returns to Amgash after many years to visit her siblings, uncovering buried family secrets and traumas.
5. "Dottie’s Bed & Breakfast": Dottie, who runs a local bed-and-breakfast, reflects on her own troubled marriage while hosting guests with their struggles.
6. "Snow-Blind": Abel Blaine, a successful businessman, revisits the poverty of his childhood and its lasting impact on his identity.
7. "Gift": Patty Nicely, a widow, finds solace in Lucy Barton’s memoir and reconciles with her past relationships.
8. "The Hit-Thumb Theory": Charlie Macauley confronts his guilt and pain from past decisions, including his love for a manipulative woman.
9. "Security": Lucy Barton’s visit to her brother Pete and sister Vicky culminates in an emotional confrontation with her past, highlighting unresolved family tensions.

These stories explore themes of trauma, resilience, and the enduring effects of the past on present lives, all while showcasing Strout's masterful writing and profound understanding of humans. Likewise, each story serves as a unique piece that deftly helps readers to understand Lucy Barton.

If you grew up or have ever lived in a small town, you'll appreciate this book. If you grew up with, went to school with, or are related to someone who ended up famous, you'll also "get it." Here are more reasons to consider reading this novel:

1. Richly Interwoven Stories
   I'm not so fond of short story collections, but this book is structured in such a way to connect them all. As I kept reading, I didn't want to like it, but I couldn't help falling in love with each character, and I was anxious to see how Strout was going to pull it all together. Each narrative provides intimate glimpses into the lives of individuals grappling with poverty, emotional insecurity, and family trauma.
2. Profound Themes
   Strout delves into universal themes such as the impact of childhood trauma, the complexity of mother-daughter relationships, and the tension between private beliefs and public realities. There are no "paper doll" one-dimensional characters in any of Strout's books. Her characters are flawed yet relatable, highlighting the ambiguity and delicacy of human emotions and relationships.
   
   I guess this book could stand alone, but it's so much richer when read after the first book. If you should happen to read this book before My Name is Lucy Barton, you will be compelled to go back and read it to satisfy your curiosity about who the heck Lucy Barton is. The adage "it takes a village to raise a child" applies so aptly here. It takes this book, its characters, and their personal histories to shape Lucy's identity.
   
3. Masterful Writing
   I can't laud Strout’s writing style enough. It is elegant and emotionally deep. Critics have praised her ability to capture small-town life with lyrical precision while balancing introspection and sweeping scope. Her writing makes even boring, ordinary lives feel extraordinary.
4. Universal Appeal
   The novel resonates with readers by addressing relatable struggles—family dynamics, personal insecurities, and the longing for connection. Strout's compassionate storytelling makes readers feel less alone in their challenges.

Whether you're drawn to character-driven narratives or enjoy exploring the intricacies of human relationships, Anything Is Possible offers a powerful literary experience that is both heart-wrenching and hopeful.

I really hope this book speaks to you the way it did to me.

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If you enjoyed Anything is Possible by Elizabeth Strout, you might appreciate books that explore small-town life, family dynamics, and the complexities of human relationships. Of course, I'm going to recommend that you read the whole Lucy Barton series, but here are some more suggestions:

Books by Elizabeth Strout

• Olive Kitteridge: A Pulitzer Prize-winning novel composed of interconnected stories about the residents of Crosby, Maine, centered around Olive, a retired schoolteacher.
• Olive, Again: The sequel to Olive Kitteridge, revisiting Olive's life and the people of Crosby.
• The Burgess Boys: A novel exploring family tensions as two brothers return to their hometown to help their sister.
• Abide with Me: Set in a small New England town, this novel follows a preacher grappling with grief after losing his wife.

Similar Books by Other Authors

• Plainsong by Kent Haruf: A quiet yet powerful tale of life in a small Colorado town, focusing on interconnected lives.
• Breathing Lessons by Anne Tyler: A story about an ordinary couple navigating life's challenges with humor and poignancy.
• Runaway by Alice Munro: A collection of short stories that delve into the emotional lives of women in rural settings.
• Empire Falls by Richard Russo: A Pulitzer Prize-winning novel about a struggling small-town community and its inhabitants.