The Things We Never Say (2026)

The Things We Never Say is set in Strout’s familiar New England, but with an entirely new cast of characters. It follows Artie Dam, a high school history teacher in his late 50s, in the months leading up to the 2024 US presidential election. Artie is married to Evie, a therapist who comes from a different social background, and they have an adult son named Rob. Some time prior to the events of the book, Rob was the driver in a car accident that killed his girlfriend; although he survived, he has been withdrawn and somewhat distant ever since. Artie himself is depicted as experiencing severe internal isolation, is emotionally disconnected from Evie, and is distressed by thoughts of the potential impact of the upcoming election. The weight of all of these concerns lead him to thoughts of suicide.