Andrew Wyeth’s Wind from the Sea (1947). Image via Gina Rogers/ Alamy The protagonist of The Things We Never Say , Elizabeth Strout’s 11th novel, is a 57-year-old high-school history teacher named Artie Dam. On the face of it, Artie has a supportive wife, friends, and is well regarded by his students and colleagues. He was even named Teacher of the Year by the state of Massachusetts a few years back. But, we quickly learn, there is something gnawing away at his insides. A decade ago, Artie’s teenage son, Rob, was driving with his girlfriend, Heather, when he crashed the car, killing her. Heather’s parents tried to sue Rob and the Dams. Ever since, Rob hasn’t been quite the same, nor has his relationship with his father. The effects of this on Artie, alongside the realisation that his wife, Evie, is increasingly distant, and mixed with memories of his childhood – during which his mother experienced psychotic episodes – play out in the ageing teacher’s head via Strout’s tidy vignettes.…