Amy and Isabelle

novel by Strout

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July 22, 2026

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Amy and Isabelle is a 1998 novel by Elizabeth Strout. It explores the complex relationship between a single mother and her 16-year-old daughter. The narrative centers on the aftermath of the daughter's seduction by a teacher, delving into themes of connection and understanding. The novel is noted for its spare prose and Strout's empathetic portrayal of characters navigating personal struggles. It is the first novel in Strout's bibliography and is set in the fictional town of Shirley Falls, Maine, which also features in her later work, The Burgess Boys.1

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Elizabeth Strout
Amy and Isabelle and Olive Kitteridge
…Strout published her first novel, Amy and Isabelle (TV movie 2001), which explores the relationship between a single mother and her 16-year-old daughter after the latter is seduced by a teacher. A bestseller, the work was praised for its spare prose and for Strout’s empathetic portrayal of characters struggling for…
Read More
…Strout published her first novel, Amy and Isabelle (TV movie 2001), which explores the relationship between a single mother and her 16-year-old daughter after the latter is seduced by a teacher. A bestseller, the work was praised for its spare prose and for Strout’s empathetic portrayal of characters struggling for…
Read More