Emily May’s review of The Things We Never Say > Likes and Comments
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Olive Kitteridge is amazing!
Nicole wrote: "Olive Kitteridge is amazing!"
Just bought a copy!
Good one Emily, can't wait until my wife finishes it so I can start. She's loving it also.
John wrote: "Good one Emily, can't wait until my wife finishes it so I can start. She's loving it also."
Thanks, John! I hope you love it too.
This one was already calling me but your 5 star review made it final. I love your reviews and find that we often feel quite similarly about the books we read. I just don’t know how you manage to read so much!
TheBookWarren wrote: "Super good review — bravo"
Thank you :)
I started this book as soon as I got it, and had it finished within 24 hours. Having looked forward to its publication, I was not at all disappointed.
Elizabeth Strout has such empathy with her characters, and draws the reader in to share it.
I love it so much - it’s already on the “to be read again” shelf.
Thank you so much Elizabeth - you never disappoint!
Great review, I put the book on my list.
I have a book recommendation
Encroachment by Eric Schliemann
$3.99 on Kindle
Beautiful review. I loved this book so deeply. Strout is my favorite author - you have many books (and characters!!) to look forward to. I love Lucy Barton and Bob Burgess like I love Artie. 🙂
Marci wrote: "Beautiful review. I loved this book so deeply. Strout is my favorite author - you have many books (and characters!!) to look forward to. I love Lucy Barton and Bob Burgess like I love Artie. 🙂"
Thank you, Marci! I just bought the next Lucy book 🙂
I am a huge fan of Strout and this book did not disappoint. It has all the hallmarks of a good Strout novel but with a little bit more pep, I think.
Excellent, succinct summary of this deeply touching book! Elizabeth Strout’s writing appears simple and straightforward on the surface but her stories and characters are deceptively personal and penetrating pulling me in and not letting go. They all leave a mark long after the epilogue….
Your review is perfect! This was my first Elizabeth Strout book, and now I need to get into her other books!
Scott Norton wrote: "Excellent, succinct summary of this deeply touching book! Elizabeth Strout’s writing appears simple and straightforward on the surface but her stories and characters are deceptively personal and pe..."
Thank you, Scott!
Deborah wrote: "Your review is perfect! This was my first Elizabeth Strout book, and now I need to get into her other books!"
Thanks, Deborah! I have also just bought a few of her other books— I'm looking forward to reading more.
Your review was mentioned on an interview with Elizabeth Strout at Hay on Wye! I love her work so looking forward to reading this book.
Felicity wrote: "Your review was mentioned on an interview with Elizabeth Strout at Hay on Wye! I love her work so looking forward to reading this book."
Oh my god, you're joking?? That's both deeply flattering and quite scary 😂 Hopefully it wasn't to say "who is this fool Emily on Goodreads?" 🤣
Brooke wrote: "Beautiful review. Spot-on."
Thank you, Brooke :)
I will read and re-read anything that Elizabeth Strout publishes! Love her work, her gentle prose and recording of the minutiae of everyday life in such readable fashion. A huge fan.
This review encapsulates everything I wanted to say about this book. 10/10 read ⭐️
Hi Emily, thank you for your review. It perfectly explains the heavy emotions I had difficulty expressing in my own words. This, like a few orders had mentioned, was my first Elizabeth Strout book and I look forward to reading her other books and understanding her writing style.
Thank you for saying what I could never say so perfectly! I’ll be picking up more of Elizabeth’s books too.
This book has profoundly moved me and you have articulated exactly why. I love Elizabeth Strout’s books but this one is the best
You're 100% correct in your review. All of it. And for the first time ever, I'm going to reread it immediately because I think I need to take it in even more.
Ann-Elizabeth Strout is a master in giving us so much with so little words. Artie and Olive (Kitteridge) are memorable.
I totally agree with your wonderful review and did shed tears at the end. There was so much said in this short novel through the heart and mind of Artie. The book, like Artie, is a treasure.
Beautiful review. Such memorable characters. She is a master.
The nuanced way Strout refers to the current political climate in this country is masked with no names, but reading this one, I knew exactly what she was saying. As a former teacher and school administrator for my entire career, I knew many Arties and also so many of his students. Also, I have experienced depression and the desire to leave this earth…. Artie and his secret about his son were keys to his entire persona. I cannot recommend this highly enough. Smooth, a bit sad, but definitely proof that one man can change the lives of so many.
Your review are exactly my thoughts. Thanks for thoughtful review. I will be thinking of this book for a long time. I have read most of Stroudt’s books, but this one will be on my list of most favorites. She has an amazing way to go deep into a persons soul and find much to share there.
Great review! Thank you. I find myself lamenting the loss of Artie.
Sharon wrote: "Great review! Thank you. I find myself lamenting the loss of Artie."
Thanks, Sharon!
Your review was so effective because of the way in which you used the quote to relate to the title and connect the characters, tethered in the unspoken truths. I mourn the loss of some fictional characters like I mourn loss of those lost loved ones I continue to lament. Artie will remain remembered and mourned in his world and in mine.
So well said. I loved this book, sad as it was, yet full of love.
Fabulous review of an outstanding novel. I have to sit a while and think about what I have just read.
Sandra wrote: "Fabulous review of an outstanding novel. I have to sit a while and think about what I have just read."
Thank you, Sandra :)
You expressed exactly how I felt about the book but wasn't quite able to put into words.
I think there are Arties all around us.
Your review is so true! I can’t get these characters out of my mind. Strout has taken me along the surface of their lives while showing how isolated and alone they are within the things they never say. It makes me look around at the people I see daily and have compassion for the loneliness that they carry.
Elizabeth Strout never disappoints! Such a fine point she puts on our collective humanity. The last sentence was brilliant! I thank the author for giving voice to our grief over the current state of affairs.
This novel woke me up to the importance of Elizabeth Strout as a novelist. I don't know how I could have ignored her previous books, but like other reviewers I also plan to read all of her novels because of the impact of Never Say. What an amazing, timely book. I am so glad something led me to it!
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Nicole
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May 09, 2026 04:24AM
Olive Kitteridge is amazing!
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Nicole wrote: "Olive Kitteridge is amazing!"Just bought a copy!
Good one Emily, can't wait until my wife finishes it so I can start. She's loving it also.
John wrote: "Good one Emily, can't wait until my wife finishes it so I can start. She's loving it also."Thanks, John! I hope you love it too.
This one was already calling me but your 5 star review made it final. I love your reviews and find that we often feel quite similarly about the books we read. I just don’t know how you manage to read so much!
TheBookWarren wrote: "Super good review — bravo"Thank you :)
I started this book as soon as I got it, and had it finished within 24 hours. Having looked forward to its publication, I was not at all disappointed.Elizabeth Strout has such empathy with her characters, and draws the reader in to share it.
I love it so much - it’s already on the “to be read again” shelf.
Thank you so much Elizabeth - you never disappoint!
Great review, I put the book on my list.I have a book recommendation
Encroachment by Eric Schliemann
$3.99 on Kindle
Beautiful review. I loved this book so deeply. Strout is my favorite author - you have many books (and characters!!) to look forward to. I love Lucy Barton and Bob Burgess like I love Artie. 🙂
Marci wrote: "Beautiful review. I loved this book so deeply. Strout is my favorite author - you have many books (and characters!!) to look forward to. I love Lucy Barton and Bob Burgess like I love Artie. 🙂"Thank you, Marci! I just bought the next Lucy book 🙂
I am a huge fan of Strout and this book did not disappoint. It has all the hallmarks of a good Strout novel but with a little bit more pep, I think.
Excellent, succinct summary of this deeply touching book! Elizabeth Strout’s writing appears simple and straightforward on the surface but her stories and characters are deceptively personal and penetrating pulling me in and not letting go. They all leave a mark long after the epilogue….
Your review is perfect! This was my first Elizabeth Strout book, and now I need to get into her other books!
Scott Norton wrote: "Excellent, succinct summary of this deeply touching book! Elizabeth Strout’s writing appears simple and straightforward on the surface but her stories and characters are deceptively personal and pe..."Thank you, Scott!
Deborah wrote: "Your review is perfect! This was my first Elizabeth Strout book, and now I need to get into her other books!"Thanks, Deborah! I have also just bought a few of her other books— I'm looking forward to reading more.
Your review was mentioned on an interview with Elizabeth Strout at Hay on Wye! I love her work so looking forward to reading this book.
Felicity wrote: "Your review was mentioned on an interview with Elizabeth Strout at Hay on Wye! I love her work so looking forward to reading this book."Oh my god, you're joking?? That's both deeply flattering and quite scary 😂 Hopefully it wasn't to say "who is this fool Emily on Goodreads?" 🤣
Brooke wrote: "Beautiful review. Spot-on."Thank you, Brooke :)
I will read and re-read anything that Elizabeth Strout publishes! Love her work, her gentle prose and recording of the minutiae of everyday life in such readable fashion. A huge fan.
This review encapsulates everything I wanted to say about this book. 10/10 read ⭐️
Hi Emily, thank you for your review. It perfectly explains the heavy emotions I had difficulty expressing in my own words. This, like a few orders had mentioned, was my first Elizabeth Strout book and I look forward to reading her other books and understanding her writing style.
Thank you for saying what I could never say so perfectly! I’ll be picking up more of Elizabeth’s books too.
This book has profoundly moved me and you have articulated exactly why. I love Elizabeth Strout’s books but this one is the best
You're 100% correct in your review. All of it. And for the first time ever, I'm going to reread it immediately because I think I need to take it in even more.
Ann-Elizabeth Strout is a master in giving us so much with so little words. Artie and Olive (Kitteridge) are memorable.
I totally agree with your wonderful review and did shed tears at the end. There was so much said in this short novel through the heart and mind of Artie. The book, like Artie, is a treasure.
Beautiful review. Such memorable characters. She is a master.
The nuanced way Strout refers to the current political climate in this country is masked with no names, but reading this one, I knew exactly what she was saying. As a former teacher and school administrator for my entire career, I knew many Arties and also so many of his students. Also, I have experienced depression and the desire to leave this earth…. Artie and his secret about his son were keys to his entire persona. I cannot recommend this highly enough. Smooth, a bit sad, but definitely proof that one man can change the lives of so many.
Your review are exactly my thoughts. Thanks for thoughtful review. I will be thinking of this book for a long time. I have read most of Stroudt’s books, but this one will be on my list of most favorites. She has an amazing way to go deep into a persons soul and find much to share there.
Great review! Thank you. I find myself lamenting the loss of Artie.
Sharon wrote: "Great review! Thank you. I find myself lamenting the loss of Artie."Thanks, Sharon!
Your review was so effective because of the way in which you used the quote to relate to the title and connect the characters, tethered in the unspoken truths. I mourn the loss of some fictional characters like I mourn loss of those lost loved ones I continue to lament. Artie will remain remembered and mourned in his world and in mine.
So well said. I loved this book, sad as it was, yet full of love.
Fabulous review of an outstanding novel. I have to sit a while and think about what I have just read.
Sandra wrote: "Fabulous review of an outstanding novel. I have to sit a while and think about what I have just read."Thank you, Sandra :)
You expressed exactly how I felt about the book but wasn't quite able to put into words.
I think there are Arties all around us.
Your review is so true! I can’t get these characters out of my mind. Strout has taken me along the surface of their lives while showing how isolated and alone they are within the things they never say. It makes me look around at the people I see daily and have compassion for the loneliness that they carry.
Elizabeth Strout never disappoints! Such a fine point she puts on our collective humanity. The last sentence was brilliant! I thank the author for giving voice to our grief over the current state of affairs.
This novel woke me up to the importance of Elizabeth Strout as a novelist. I don't know how I could have ignored her previous books, but like other reviewers I also plan to read all of her novels because of the impact of Never Say. What an amazing, timely book. I am so glad something led me to it!