Elizabeth Strout!

Welcome to the Piece Of Advice Newsletter!

Good morning! Today we are talking about Pulitzer Award winning author, Elizabeth Strout!

Elizabeth Strout may be one of literature’s most unassuming stars, but her words have packed a quiet, emotional punch for decades. The Pulitzer Prize-winning author is best known for creating deeply human characters who feel as real as next-door neighbors; sometimes even more so. With novels like “Olive Kitteridge”, “My Name Is Lucy Barton”, and “Oh William!”, Strout has become a literary treasure, beloved for her ability to find beauty in the ordinary and heartbreak in the everyday.

Born and raised in small-town Maine, Strout’s New England roots are woven into the fabric of her stories. Fun fact: she once worked as a waitress and a nightclub piano player before becoming a published author! She didn’t publish her first novel, “Amy and Isabelle”, until she was in her early 40s; proof that it’s never too late to chase your dreams. Her stories often take place in fictional coastal towns, but their emotional resonance travels far beyond state lines.

What sets Strout apart is her quiet mastery of language. Her sentences are simple but powerful, often packing more meaning in a few words than most can in a whole chapter. Another fun tidbit? She studied law at Syracuse University, which might explain the keen emotional intelligence and character analysis that runs through her fiction. She has said that while law school didn’t lead to a legal career, it sharpened her ability to observe human behavior; a skill she uses masterfully in her writing.

Despite her literary acclaim, Strout remains refreshingly down-to-earth. She still writes in longhand and carries a deep love for her characters, even the prickliest ones (looking at you, Olive!). Whether you’re diving into one of her novels for the first time or revisiting her work with fresh eyes, Elizabeth Strout has a rare gift: she makes the simple feel profound. And with each book, she reminds us that behind every quiet life, there’s a remarkable story waiting to be told.

Piece Of Advice:

Giancarlo: What is the best piece of advice you’ve ever gotten?

Elizabeth Strout: “Do not stop. Keep going.” (This is advice I have given myself, and it is the best piece of advice I have ever received!) 🙂

Thank you for joining us today and I hope you have an incredible week!

-Giancarlo