Margot’s review of The Things We Never Say > Likes and Comments
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Her last two books have been bad but people still say they are wonderful bc they love her.
Totally agree with you, Margot! Political rants are not what I go to Strout novels for.
If you think this book was about political opinions then you have colossally and spectacularly missed the point. It’s a shame, because the level of nuance and empathy (even among mundane moments) that Strout can conjure in such plain prose is nothing short of a gift. It makes me a better person to read it and I feel sorry for anyone who reads this multi-dimensional, carefully constructed piece of literature and can only take away that the “politics”was too much of a theme for them. Truly, I hope in the future that you can open your mind.
Artie’s deepest connection was to a friend with the opposite political views of his.
I’m sorry Magot I didn’t see it that way. It wasn’t every page
Margot, this is exactly why I did not buy or read this book. I own all of Strout's others but I am completely done with authors preaching their political views to me. I agree with you, that is not why I read.
Disagreeing with an opinion is not “missing the point.” I got “the point” and I disagreed with it. I enjoyed the first half of this book and even thought she was going to leave the politics out. Sadly, she did not.
I think that many of us are prepared for this book as it is written. The impact of our current leadership is real on many in our country. I appreciate the author’s ability to weave our current depressing situation into this story. Historical fiction has forever given political perspective. Artie and his friends are suffering and Strout did an excellent job of making his story relatable to many Americans. Thank you Elizabeth for your story that has so many messages for us.
‘over the top’ is quite dramatic. it’s clear that you shut down the second the characters political view did not align with yours. it’s a shame because you missed the point and missed out on a great book.
thanks for the warning. A no go for me.
The irony of the books topic of division within the US and the voices commenting on this review.
She definitely professed her free will in this book. I feel bad for her characters. I really did like them and their political views did not sway me. For her to have a political agenda made me sad. Like whhhyyyyyyyy
I understand why you might feel this way because if it was written from the “other” side I might have put it down also. I did appreciate the how the character of Ken Moynihan grew into how many feel about our conservative leaning voters. He was a great person, saved Arties life, became his most trusted confident. I loved that. It showed we are all people with our own worlds. Maybe she’ll pick up Ken’s world someday and write about him.
Can you have a novel about a history professor and not have him reflecting on the US going down the toilet? Isn't your ghastly president what the whole world is talking about, including here in Australia?
Billie-you have no idea what my political views are. Talk about missing the point. I just don’t like when I feel I am being lectured to when I read fiction. Simple as that.
Thanks for this! Super helpful review, this is probably not the book for me.
I am so glad that you wrote this review Margot. I really like a good character study but I felt that there was too much of a political agenda in her writing.
Politics on every page? The world has gone mad. As a reader from the UK I really can't see that!
I disagree about “strong political opinions permeating just about every page”. Unfortunately this is where we are in 2026.
The politics did it in for me. I enjoyed her writing style, but way too much political nonsense.
I agree. Artie said to his students I don't talk about sex, politics or constipation. Yet, this book does mention politics way tooooooo much!
Yes, there were political views but his profound friendship with Ken evened that out. Showed that people with different views can be good, caring people we can love and respect.
agreed! the politics were not even well researched.
Agreed! It was really political and depressing... and then it got worse.
If you can find anyone in America whose life has not been altered by the current American political scene, I'd love to see them. Why should we expect our authors to turn a blind eye to that? I admire Strout for addressing this issue head-on.
For me, this was not a political opinion piece at all. The present-day political backdrop made the story that much more relevant and relatable. Irrespective of a reader's political views, the takeaway here was that those things that make a person "good" or "bad" can transcend politics (i.e. Artie and Ken).
Interesting that that is your takeaway. I’m with Malcolm—this was not a political opinion piece at all. I loved every bit of it.
I totally agree. Too much politics even if I do agree with that viewpoint
Perhaps those of us that took it the way the author intended it feel as depressed and desperate as Artid Dam.
in a book that barely eeks out 200 pages, every word counts. IMO based on the ending of this book, everything in this book is an extended metaphor for the political state of the US, yet i don't think this book is supposed to be any kind of political opinion piece. rather i think it's more supposed to serve as a warning for how close we are to collapse
I appreciated the political opinions inserted within this book. It takes place in current day so it is frankly hard to pretend that what is going on in our country is not affecting our lives.
Why should novels written in the present, not express the current political state of our country? these are perilous times for our democracy and more authors, should address this.
Not a single ridge or lump here folks. Little golden books might be more your speed champ
Tell me you’re a Trump supporter without telling me you’re a Trump supporter
How can you say you are a right wing closed minded person without saying…
It felt very realistic to me. We don't live in a vacuum.
I completely agree with you Marie - plenty of authors have addressed politics before and have often led to reform. I'm sure many feel it their duty and I appreciate Elizabeth Strout going there.
Marie wrote: "Why should novels written in the present, not express the current political state of our country? these are perilous times for our democracy and more authors, should address this."
Mike wrote: "If you can find anyone in America whose life has not been altered by the current American political scene, I'd love to see them. Why should we expect our authors to turn a blind eye to that? I admi..."
Mary wrote: "Totally agree with you, Margot! Political rants are not what I go to Strout novels for."
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May 09, 2026 05:38AM
Her last two books have been bad but people still say they are wonderful bc they love her.
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Totally agree with you, Margot! Political rants are not what I go to Strout novels for.
If you think this book was about political opinions then you have colossally and spectacularly missed the point. It’s a shame, because the level of nuance and empathy (even among mundane moments) that Strout can conjure in such plain prose is nothing short of a gift. It makes me a better person to read it and I feel sorry for anyone who reads this multi-dimensional, carefully constructed piece of literature and can only take away that the “politics”was too much of a theme for them. Truly, I hope in the future that you can open your mind.
Artie’s deepest connection was to a friend with the opposite political views of his.
I’m sorry Magot I didn’t see it that way. It wasn’t every page
Margot, this is exactly why I did not buy or read this book. I own all of Strout's others but I am completely done with authors preaching their political views to me. I agree with you, that is not why I read.
Disagreeing with an opinion is not “missing the point.” I got “the point” and I disagreed with it. I enjoyed the first half of this book and even thought she was going to leave the politics out. Sadly, she did not.
I think that many of us are prepared for this book as it is written. The impact of our current leadership is real on many in our country. I appreciate the author’s ability to weave our current depressing situation into this story. Historical fiction has forever given political perspective. Artie and his friends are suffering and Strout did an excellent job of making his story relatable to many Americans. Thank you Elizabeth for your story that has so many messages for us.
‘over the top’ is quite dramatic. it’s clear that you shut down the second the characters political view did not align with yours. it’s a shame because you missed the point and missed out on a great book.
thanks for the warning. A no go for me.
The irony of the books topic of division within the US and the voices commenting on this review.
She definitely professed her free will in this book. I feel bad for her characters. I really did like them and their political views did not sway me. For her to have a political agenda made me sad. Like whhhyyyyyyyy
I understand why you might feel this way because if it was written from the “other” side I might have put it down also. I did appreciate the how the character of Ken Moynihan grew into how many feel about our conservative leaning voters. He was a great person, saved Arties life, became his most trusted confident. I loved that. It showed we are all people with our own worlds. Maybe she’ll pick up Ken’s world someday and write about him.
Can you have a novel about a history professor and not have him reflecting on the US going down the toilet? Isn't your ghastly president what the whole world is talking about, including here in Australia?
Billie-you have no idea what my political views are. Talk about missing the point. I just don’t like when I feel I am being lectured to when I read fiction. Simple as that.
Thanks for this! Super helpful review, this is probably not the book for me.
I am so glad that you wrote this review Margot. I really like a good character study but I felt that there was too much of a political agenda in her writing.
Politics on every page? The world has gone mad. As a reader from the UK I really can't see that!
I disagree about “strong political opinions permeating just about every page”. Unfortunately this is where we are in 2026.
The politics did it in for me. I enjoyed her writing style, but way too much political nonsense.
I agree. Artie said to his students I don't talk about sex, politics or constipation. Yet, this book does mention politics way tooooooo much!
Yes, there were political views but his profound friendship with Ken evened that out. Showed that people with different views can be good, caring people we can love and respect.
agreed! the politics were not even well researched.
Agreed! It was really political and depressing... and then it got worse.
If you can find anyone in America whose life has not been altered by the current American political scene, I'd love to see them. Why should we expect our authors to turn a blind eye to that? I admire Strout for addressing this issue head-on.
For me, this was not a political opinion piece at all. The present-day political backdrop made the story that much more relevant and relatable. Irrespective of a reader's political views, the takeaway here was that those things that make a person "good" or "bad" can transcend politics (i.e. Artie and Ken).
Interesting that that is your takeaway. I’m with Malcolm—this was not a political opinion piece at all. I loved every bit of it.
I totally agree. Too much politics even if I do agree with that viewpoint
Perhaps those of us that took it the way the author intended it feel as depressed and desperate as Artid Dam.
in a book that barely eeks out 200 pages, every word counts. IMO based on the ending of this book, everything in this book is an extended metaphor for the political state of the US, yet i don't think this book is supposed to be any kind of political opinion piece. rather i think it's more supposed to serve as a warning for how close we are to collapse
I appreciated the political opinions inserted within this book. It takes place in current day so it is frankly hard to pretend that what is going on in our country is not affecting our lives.
Why should novels written in the present, not express the current political state of our country? these are perilous times for our democracy and more authors, should address this.
Not a single ridge or lump here folks. Little golden books might be more your speed champ
Tell me you’re a Trump supporter without telling me you’re a Trump supporter
How can you say you are a right wing closed minded person without saying…
It felt very realistic to me. We don't live in a vacuum.
I completely agree with you Marie - plenty of authors have addressed politics before and have often led to reform. I'm sure many feel it their duty and I appreciate Elizabeth Strout going there.Marie wrote: "Why should novels written in the present, not express the current political state of our country? these are perilous times for our democracy and more authors, should address this."
Mike wrote: "If you can find anyone in America whose life has not been altered by the current American political scene, I'd love to see them. Why should we expect our authors to turn a blind eye to that? I admi..."
Mary wrote: "Totally agree with you, Margot! Political rants are not what I go to Strout novels for."