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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I love Ms. Strout’s books. This book spoke to me – I’ve read it twice and will re-read it again. It’s one of those books I give to others to read.
EXCELLENT!!!
I just couldn’t like the protagonist.
I appreciated two important facts after reading this book: reader expectations are important, and just because a book is award-winning does not automatically make it the next best read for everyone. Now, if I’m being truthful, I already knew both of these things before opening the front cover, but this offering reaffirmed that notion.
This book …
I really liked the book even though I did not always like Olive. She is a very complex person that can often be really hard to get along with and understand.
‘Olive Kitteridge’ felt to me more like a series of short stories than a novel. Each chapter is a different vignette of life from a small community in Maine and, more often than not, features the eponymous Olive Kitteridge. Olive is a cantankerous and volatile retired school teacher who has a complex relationship with both her husband and her son. …
Beautifully written study of a woman whose all-too-human flaws destroy her own and others’ happiness.
I’ve never before enjoyed a story with such a unique perspective. I highly recommend it.
These characters will stay with me for years…. definitely lives up to the hype. Gorgeous writing.
Characters
We all know an “Olive Kitteridge,” but I don’t want to elaborate on what made this book and this extremely complicated so touching. I have read every one of Strout’s books and will continue to do so. Her characters leap from the pages!
Depressing
well written
I enjoyed this book. I would read it again and again just to be surprised. Olive was such a character, it was compelling to walk through her life in this book.
Book is long and boring a lot of conplaining
I enjoyed the book, I will get her next book .
Wonderful book, wonderful characters. Ms. Strout understands Mainers and the personalities resonate. Chapters shift among characters, always returning to Olive.
I loved this book when I read it years ago.
Read this book years ago – would read it again – a very engaging read
I did not finish it. I could not find how the characters or plot connected. I know a lot of readers like Kitterage, but I do not.