Anything Is Possible by Elizabeth Strout - 2 stars

[Joy D]

Anything Is Possible by Elizabeth Strout - 2* - My Review

Series of interrelated short stories set in the fictional rural town of Amgash, Illinois. This book is a sequel to My Name Is Lucy Barton. Lucy has now written a memoir, and we find out more about her family, neighbors, and acquaintances living in her small town. It portrays unhealthy relationships which induce feelings of shame, the lingering effects of childhood traumas, and how acquired wealth (or lack thereof) can create conflict. Marriages crumble; friendships dissolve; unhappiness reigns. These are stories about unpleasant people doing unpleasant things. I did not come to care about any of them. I like the first in this series more than the second, and prefer Olive Kitteridge to both.

2 stars = it was okay

[Holly R W]

Joy, you wrote: "These are stories about unpleasant people doing unpleasant things." I couldn't agree with you more. This spoiled the stories for me. I also rated the collection 2 stars.

[Joy D]

Glad it's not just me, Holly. I don't mind unpleasant characters in general, but I need to care about someone in a novel.