Anything is Possible by Elizabeth Strout

Elizabeth Strout has mastered a unique writing form only seen minimally in modern fiction.  In her book Anything is Possible she writes nine linked tales about people in a small town in Illinois.  Nine lives that are entwined by life experiences that reveal misery, heartache, pain and loss.  Nine lives that are broken by miserable marriage, war trauma, and childhood abuse.  Strout laces into each expose a piece from that story's central character's past---a soldier who suffers from PSTD renews a friendship with a former classmate; the retired school janitor tries to help a reclusive, lonely man that he happens upon and recognizes as that sad, lonely boy from his school.  These are small lives that seem of little consequence.  The writer shares the stories unemotionally and unsympathetically.  She often depicts the glaring flaw in many of her characters of continually look for and usually finding someone they can feel superior to no matter how bad their own situation might be.  Juxtaposed to this depressing truth is her quiet reassurance that there is always hope.  Strout shows us people who succeed, people who are kind and helpful and who overcome seemingly insurmountable odds.  The author never tries to hide the fact that this is indeed a sad, hard world.  But like Steinbeck, Strout tells the story of people who, even though trapped by circumstances out of their control, find a way to survive.  This author writes honestly and succinctly but manages to convey deep and meaningful stories  Her characters are real people that we as readers recognize and connect to and maybe even see ourselves in.  Strout's books reveal real life and hopefully will open real discussions that can help all of us see that "anything is possible."