Amy and Isabelle: A Novel (Vintage Contemporaries)

This book emotionally turned me inside out and shredded me into little bits. Ms. Strout has the ability to convey human anguish on a visceral level with the same power commanded by George Eliot. What a masterpiece!

I absolutely loved Strout's Pulitzer Prize-winning Olive Kitteridge, but this first novel had many of the weaknesses of first novels and so proved to be a big disappointment. The setting is a small New England mill town and the central characters are an "widowed" mother and her rebellious teenage daughter, one who proves to be illegitimate. Sound familiar? You're probably thinking of the original American blockbuster, Peyton Place, by Grace Metalious, and I can't help thinking that Strout was too. Plotwise, I've always been a believer in the dictum "Well-stolen is half-written," but the emphasis should be on "well," and that's where Strout's novel falls down. From the vantage of 2012, 1950s New England looks like a stifling and dreary place, and in the first half of the book the characters are cardboard and the plot non-existant -- nothing happens -- so Strout fails to give us a place or people to care about. Metalious' much bigger book offered a vivid setting and a slew of characters who may have been types but were also vividly drawn. So the first-novel failing of a too-long setup is a big part of the problem. Another first-novel error is failing to provide a likeable character early on. Readers who find all of the characters unlikeable and uninteresting in the first few chapters are unlikely to keep reading. Heading the list of unlikeable characters is the teenager, Amy, who is simply unbelievable -- too vacant and dull to be real. It's hard to believe Strout knows any teens or ever was one. In classic first-novel fashion, the book improves immensely in the second half -- interesting things happen which have interesting affects on the characters. My advice: if you want to read Strout, go with Olive Kitteridge. If you want to read about a 20th century New England mill town, go with Grace Metalious.

I really enjoyed reading this book. The author has the rare talent of being able to create characters that the reader cares who they are, what they feel, and how they think. The story of a young girl discovering herself in the world, is one that speaks to larger issues of coming to terms with ourselves in a wistful way.
I found myself seeing the story in a very visual way.
I would also recommend Olive Kitteridge, and Abide By Me by this author

I LOVED this book. Ms Strouts characterizations are always so spot on the mark, I feel as though I personally know the people. Her portrayal of Fat Bev was particularly brilliant. If I had an ounce of talent in the writing department, this is exactly how I would like to be able to write. I await her next book with eager anticipation.

I loved the characters in the novel: flawed, real and thoughtful. Unfortunately the author seemed a little preoccupied with bodily functions. the details of which didn't add anything to the story. A small thing, but I found it distracting. It took me out of the story.

such a study of mother and child....mother emotionally closed up and as a consequence, the daughter is as well. The book club certainly had great discussions on this book. And that is a good thing, I think. LM

I really enjoyed this book and could easily have read it in one sitting if not for household chores, school pickups, cooking, etc. Strout is an exceptional writer and her characters are fully developed and totally believable. The ages-old conflict between mothers and daughters is presented as a simple, yet compelling set of circumstances: a single mother with a secret and a teenager with her own secret that is predictably revealed. I didn't give the book 5 stars because the ending was a tad disappointing: an implied plot line involving a murder was abandoned and I would've liked the story to g o where I thought it would.

Having read all Elizabeth Strout's novels, I was disappointed in Amy and Isabelle. While all her novels have very troubled complex characters, I did not find the characters in this novel as accessible. There are burst of compelling and disturbing story telling and then pages in between that seem to drag. I am Lucy Barton is a much better mother-daughter story by the same author.

Having read Strout's Abide with Me and Olive Kitteridge, I was anxious to read this book. She didn't disappoint. Strout is a talented writer and story teller. Her characters are well developed, interesting and believable. The story also stokes your interest. If a book isn't well written, but the plot promising, I am disappointed and will put it down. Strout's novels don't insult your intelligence like a Lifetime Movie story line.

The author has the best understanding of human behavior and isn't afraid to tell it like it is. All of the characters are likable because they are so human and in their own ways, doing the best that they can.

As wonderful as Olive Kitteridge is, I loved Amy and Isabelle even more. Elizabeth Strout does not protect her characters--from themselves or each other--nor does she protect the reader. She draws each character honestly and in full flesh. Certainly the loneliness, disconnection, and disappointment Amy and Isabelle experience is sad, but the common humanity of their story is at the same time beautiful. When I finished reading I went back to page one and started over, just to savor the writing. In this novel, Strout is in glorious control of her craft.

As wonderful as Olive Kitteridge is, I loved Amy and Isabelle even more. Elizabeth Strout does not protect her characters--from themselves or each other--nor does she protect the reader. She draws each character honestly and in full flesh. Certainly the loneliness, disconnection, and disappointment Amy and Isabelle experience is sad, but the common humanity of their story is at the same time beautiful. When I finished reading I went back to page one and started over, just to savor the writing. In this novel, Strout is in glorious control of her craft.

AMY & ISABELLE is the story of the classic conflict between a mother and her adolescent daughter taken to a fictional extreme...the novel is beautifully written. Still...the plot and, especially, the conclusion ultimately is predictable.

An enjoyable easy read. The descriptions of the weather and its effect on the countryside are very visual and compelling. As always with Strout, interesting character studies and in this case, in particular, of a mother/daughter relationship.

Elizabeth Strout has an uncanny, yet full, understanding of life. Her characters are so real. Her insights bring warmth, like a soft blanket on a chilly night, to all who ponder what life is really all about.

Both characters are utterly believable and the ending left me surprised and well content. Amy and Isabelle is the final novel by Strout I had left to read and I was not disappointed. I am simply amazed at the scope of each of her novels.

Sprout is a brilliant observer of human relationships. While this mother daughter tale is poignant and deeply sad, it is also ultimately hopeful in its recognition of the power and importance of connection.

The book reveals the complex relations among people and specially between a mother and daughter. But at any rate no matter how complex the situation .love is here and prevails.
I would not call this book a page turner. There so many pages about the employees where the mother works and that did not interst me.

"Olive Kittredge" lurks in Isabelle's shadow. If you loved that book--which I did--you can see how she "grew up." "Amy and. ."is not so engrossing, incisive or funny, but if you love Elizabeth Strout, you'll like it--especially if it's the first book of hers you read. It's good that writers don't usually win the Pulitzer with the first novel.

Really enjoyed the story, I felt like I knew both main characters well. Is there another book in what happened to them next and how future events suggested at the end impacted on their close relationship. I think Isabelle was still young enough to have another child? My favourite of Elizabeth Strout's characters is still Olive Kitteridge!

Elizabeth Strout has once again woven a tale fraught with human frailities, shortcomings and flawed characters. Amy and Isabelle live amongst all of us, within us and are us. Strout's ability to develop redemption in their flawed hearts and minds is remarkable. Ms. Strout painted a vivid picture of a stifling record setting heatwave that left me sweating and miserable while growing to care deeply for the crippled souls of Shirley Falls. Strout is a master of the written word. Definitely a five star read.

Cynthia Fisher

Ms. Strout knows have to write. She reminds me of Joyce Carol Oats in her writing style and story telling. I could not put this book down and am looking forward to reading the re
st rest if her books!