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I live about an hour west of Chicago, in another large Illinois city. For years, my husband and I made the drive south to visit his parents in Champaign, passing through miles of farmland and tiny Midwestern towns—places like Saunemin (population 420) and Strawn (population 100).
Each time we passed, I’d glance at the handful of houses, a lone gas station, maybe a diner with a faded sign, and wonder about the people who lived there. Did they all know each other, were most of them related? Where did they work? What did they do for fun in a town without a movie theater, a trendy restaurant, or even a decent shopping center? I imagined a slower, simpler life, one where deep community ties made up for the lack of big-city conveniences.
So when I picked up Anything is Possible by Elizabeth Strout and discovered it was set in a fictional small town in Illinois, I was immediately drawn in. Amgash is filled with interconnected lives, just as I had always imagined—but I didn’t have to read far to realize that those lives were far from simple or easy.
Summary of Anything is Possible by Elizabeth Strout
Anything is Possible is a series of interconnected short stories focusing on various residents of Amgash, Illinois. Each chapter introduces a new character, offering an in-depth look at their struggles, regrets, and what gives them hope and a sense of possibility.
Key Themes: Trauma, Family, and Small-Town Life
At its core, the book explores the lingering effects of trauma and poverty, showing how the past continues to shape lives long into adulthood. One of the most striking examples is the relationship between adult siblings Bette and Arthur. Though they are minor characters, their dynamic resonated with me the most. Each copes with their difficult childhood in their own way, yet both remain tethered to unresolved pain. Their relationship carries a quiet tension—old wounds never fully heal, and their shared past continues to cast a long shadow over their present.
Lucy Barton’s Return to Amgash
The novel serves as a companion to My Name Is Lucy Barton, which I haven’t read. Lucy is the one character who managed to escape Amgash, building a successful career as a writer in New York City. But despite her outward success, she still carries the scars of her childhood. When she returns to Amgash, she hopes to reconnect with her siblings, Pete and Vicky, and bridge the emotional distance between them. However, Pete and Vicky remain deeply shaped by their past, their perspectives and behaviors still influenced by childhood wounds. Their story underscores how unresolved pain can ripple through relationships for a lifetime.
Final Thoughts: Is This Book Worth Reading?
I love books that make me think about how our past shapes us—how we move forward, how we don’t. If you come from a complicated family, the stories in Anything is Possible will draw you in, prompting reflection on how far you’ve come—and what still lingers unresolved. Have you read it? Or do you have another small-town novel you love? Let me know in the comments!”