Amy and Isabelle
Amy and Isabelle
Fiction | Novel | Adult | Published in 1998
Book Brief
303
Novel • Fiction
Shirley Falls, Maine • 1960s
1998
Adult
18+ years
Super Short Summary
Set in the fictional town of Shirley Falls, Maine, Elizabeth Strout's Amy and Isabelle explores the strained relationship between Isabelle Goodrow and her teenage daughter Amy as they navigate personal struggles and hidden truths, which ultimately lead to a deeper understanding and stronger bond between them. Sensitive content includes depiction of a teacher-student relationship.
Melancholic
Contemplative
Emotional
Mysterious
Unnerving
Reviews & Readership
38,447 ratings
Loved it
Mixed feelings
Not a fan
Review Roundup
Elizabeth Strout's Amy and Isabelle is lauded for its poignant exploration of mother-daughter relationships and small-town life, showcasing Strout's deft character development and evocative prose. While praised for its emotional depth, some critics find the pacing uneven. Overall, Strout's debut is regarded as a compelling and thoughtful read.
Who Should Read Amy and Isabelle?
Readers who appreciate deeply emotional, character-driven novels exploring mother-daughter relationships and small-town life will enjoy Elizabeth Strout's Amy and Isabelle. Fans of works like Celeste Ng's Everything I Never Told You or Ann Patchett's Bel Canto will find similar themes of familial tension and personal discovery.
38,447 ratings
Loved it
Mixed feelings
Not a fan
303
Novel • Fiction
Shirley Falls, Maine • 1960s
1998
Adult
18+ years
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