Amy & Isabelle by Elizabeth Strout
Elizbeth's Strout had already honed her expertise at portraying small-town life in America by the time her first novel Amy & Isabelle was published. When we meet Amy and her mother, Isabelle, they are living in Shirley Falls, New England, at a time when people still frowned at single mothers but were coming to terms with more enlightened approaches to other socialissues.
The novel is set during a stiflingly hot summer when Amy is working during the school holidays in the office of a mill where her mother has been promoted to a supervisory role. Readers know early on that something has happened between Amy and one of her temporary teachers, Mr Robertson, but the exact details are only revealed through a series of flashbacks interspersed between the current storyline. Understandably, Amy's problems cause Isabelle to review her own empty and friendless existence which will become even lonelier when her daughter moves out to make her own way in life. Strout skilfully adds poignancy to Isabelle's reflections by gradually revealing Isabelle's back story and the circumstances which brought Amy and her to Shirley Falls. While there are some dramatic scenes in Amy & Isabelle, its primary appeal lies in the realistic depiction of everyday life which helps readers relate to the storylines. Amy & Isabelle is recommended for fans of Elizabeth Strout and anyone who enjoys novels which portray a slice of life.
Submitted by David
