Book Club Questions for The Things We Never Say by Elizabeth Strout
Book club questions for The Things We Never Say by Elizabeth Stout take a closer look at this introspective and sad novel. There will be spoilers, so for more context, check out my spoiler-free review first.
If you read my review, you’ll see I didn’t enjoy this one.
Probably the most interesting element is that Artie, on the outside, seems happy, but inside is struggling and lonely. And he doesn’t know how to communicate this. His wife is too selfish to notice, which is ironic, as she’s a family therapist. His son Rob does understand, but Rob has his own things going on.
The one person he can talk to is his new friend, Ken, who rescued him from the water.
I didn’t like the ending for Artie at all. And that he never said anything. I understand that’s the point but still am disappointed.
Sad read all around.
Let me know what you think about the book in the comments section below!
Book Club Questions for The Things We Never Say
- We meet Artie at a very low point. Outward, he seems happy, but inward, he is struggling and suicidal. Why was Artie unable to tell anyone he was struggling and lonely?
- What was the defining point that encouraged Artie to keep living?
- Why was Artie so consumed with the idea and definition of free will? Do you believe in free will?
- What did you make of his relationship with his wife, Evie? Why is she always so irritated at Artie?
- Their son, Rob, survived a car accident that killed his high school girlfriend. As a result, Rob is closed off and distant. Let’s talk about how things could have been different if Artie and Rob had just talked.
- A lot of the novel is dedicated to the idea that people can’t express how they really feel. Why do you believe it’s difficult to do so for many?
- Rob reveals to Artie that he’s not his biological father. It turns out that Evie had an affair with the grumpy Reginald, who then wrote a letter to Rob revealing the truth before he died. What did you think about this reveal?
- Throughout the whole novel, it seems Artie might tell Evie that he knows the truth. But he never does. Why didn’t he confront her about it? How do you think she would have reacted? Would they have survived that, or would Artie have left her?
- Artie is a beloved high school teacher, and we see examples of how his teaching and guidance impact several of his students for life. Why couldn’t Artie see the impact he had?
- The novel covers the 2024 election, which is a distressing event for Artie. Why do you feel the author included this?
- Before the novel is done, we learn that Artie dies of a heart attack. Let’s talk about how we felt when we read that was Artie’s fate. Why didn’t the author wait until the end to reveal he had died?
- After he dies, Evie goes through Artie’s belongings and finds the note from Reginald. What will Rob and Evie’s relationship be like going forward now?
- While this is a tragic book, it does highlight the disconnect many people feel between disagreements with politics and everyone’s obsession with technology. Do you feel there is a lesson in the novel?
By Heather CaliendoAdditional Recommendations
Hope you enjoyed the book club questions for The Things We Never Say! Here are some more recommendations along with links to book club questions.
Another engaging 2026 literary fiction novel is Partita by Barbara Kingsolver. Partita is about the pursuit and love of classical music, with even the chapters structured like a piece of music, a classical Baroque dance suite.
Music is so essential to this story that there’s a list of referenced works that you can listen along to (the publisher even made a Spotify list).
Check out my full review here and book club questions here.
My personal favorite literary story of the year is Whistler by Ann Patchett. While I read Whistler, I kept thinking these characters absolutely felt like real people.
It was as if I were in the room with them, witnessing their interactions. They are so richly drawn, and they felt relatable and real.
Check out my full review here and my book club questions here.
Happy reading!
Heather’s Book Club
