WINNER OF THE PULITZER PRIZE • THE EMMY AWARD–WINNING HBO MINISERIES STARRING FRANCES MCDORMAND, RICHARD JENKINS, AND BILL MURRAYIn a voice more powerful and compassionate than ever before, New York Times bestselling author Elizabeth Strout binds together thirteen rich, luminous narratives into a book with the heft of a novel, through the presence of one larger-than-life, unforgettable character: … unforgettable character: Olive Kitteridge.
At the edge of the continent, Crosby, Maine, may seem like nowhere, but seen through this brilliant writer’s eyes, it’s in essence the whole world, and the lives that are lived there are filled with all of the grand human drama–desire, despair, jealousy, hope, and love.
At times stern, at other times patient, at times perceptive, at other times in sad denial, Olive Kitteridge, a retired schoolteacher, deplores the changes in her little town and in the world at large, but she doesn’t always recognize the changes in those around her: a lounge musician haunted by a past romance: a former student who has lost the will to live: Olive’s own adult child, who feels tyrannized by her irrational sensitivities; and Henry, who finds his loyalty to his marriage both a blessing and a curse.
As the townspeople grapple with their problems, mild and dire, Olive is brought to a deeper understanding of herself and her life–sometimes painfully, but always with ruthless honesty. Olive Kitteridge offers profound insights into the human condition–its conflicts, its tragedies and joys, and the endurance it requires.
NAMED ONE OF THE BEST BOOK OF THE YEAR BY
People • USA Today • The Atlantic • The Washington Post Book World • Seattle Post-Intelligencer • Entertainment Weekly • The Christian Science Monitor • San Francisco Chronicle • Salon • San Antonio Express-News • Chicago Tribune • The Wall Street Journal
“Perceptive, deeply empathetic . . . Olive is the axis around which these thirteen complex, relentlessly human narratives spin themselves into Elizabeth Strout’s unforgettable novel in stories.”—O: The Oprah Magazine
“Fiction lovers, remember this name: Olive Kitteridge. . . . You’ll never forget her. . . . [Elizabeth Strout] constructs her stories with rich irony and moments of genuine surprise and intense emotion. . . . Glorious, powerful stuff.”—USA Today
BONUS: This edition includes an excerpt from Elizabeth Strout’s The Burgess Boys.
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Loved this book! Great character development carried the plot throughout. Olive may not always have been likeable, but she was easy to love and easy to relate to.
Olive Kitteridge is one of those characters that lives with you forever. Ms. Strout is the reason I write. Her narratives are so well drawn you laugh and cry in the same sentence.
Elizabeth Strout has a lovely way of allowing the reader to understand another person’s point of view. Initially, Oliver Kitteridge appears to be a rather bland but abrassive character. She is gradually revealed to be a complex person dealing with the struggles and joys of being human.
Gritty, realistic characters who do surprising things–not always the things the reader wants them to do. Each story in the novel has its own beginning, middle and end and they intertwine in unexpected ways. The action and description work to put me right in the story, the good, bad and ugly. So good.
In the town of Crosby, Maine, lives retired maths teacher Olive Kitteridge & her long-suffering husband Henry. As life is explored through the eyes of the townsfolk, it’s evident that each has a connection to Olive, either as a pupil, friend, acquaintance or prospective daughter-in-law, and with each chapter, very slowly, the characters come to …
Olive Kitteridge is told in a series of connected short stories that eventually give you the big picture. Cleverly done. Interesting insights about family, depression, and love.
After seeing the mini series starring Francis McDormand, I was anxious to read the actual book. I was enthralled from the beginning by the beautiful writing– insights into the personality of a woman who at first seems nasty, negative, not a nice person. But as the book goes on, we see Olive’s strength, vulnerability, and goodness. Through the …
Honestly, one of the most beautiful and true books I’ve ever read. Powerful and poignant, this is one I have a feeling I’ll return to again and again.
Love Elizabeth Strout.
The people involved in olives life over maybe 3 decades were woven into a wonderful life story. Beautiful written. The last chapter was wonderful different and compelling
Despite a rather non-appealing title name, this book is brilliant and has really stayed with me as an outstanding example of current American fiction.
what a great read…enjoyed the peek at the lives all around this little town and its seasoned retired teacher
The author does a wonderful job of portraying ordinary lives as they really are. The readers can see inside a home, see what it is really like. The characters are fiction but their lives are lived everyday by millions of Americans.
Loved quirky Olive. I’m an avid reader and this is one of my favorite books. Ever.
One of the best collections I’ve ever read. Could not put this book down.
Such an interesting characters. I’ll never forget olive. She came alive for me from the very beginning. She’s totally unique. I just finished “olive, again. “Another winner by my favorite author Elizabeth Strout. Every book is a must read.
This book offers a glimpse into the somewhat depressing process of aging. The collection of short stories revolves around Olive Kitteridge, who is a schoolteacher in Maine. Although she is the central character, the novel offers various tales about her family and members of her community. These are often dark and disturbing and Olive’s teaching …
This is a book I started when it first came out and I stopped reading it after the first chapter. Little did I know that it was more a visit to a town and it’s townspeople. This time I finished it, wishing for more. Lucky me, I just bought Olive, Again.
n finally caught up with this book! I love the way the author captures everyday people leading everyday lives and shines a torch into the corners we choose not to show people. Easy to read, it isn’t until much later you realise its simplistic style is actually super complex and multilayered. If you like character-driven novels as much as I do, you …
Lots of hype but really unlikable characters.