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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One of my favorite books. As an old time New Englander…Olive is alive and well!
Sad.
Essentially a human (Olive) character sketch revealing her many facets, some surprising, all resulting in the reader discovering hidden facets of themselves.
Great!
With its unique structure of a series of short stories tied loosely together by one central character, this novel presents some of the most fascinating, complex, and unpredictable story lines and personalities I’ve ever discovered in a book. Unforgettable and utterly memorable.
very weird but enjoyed it, surprised by the plot and character changes with challenges.
I read this several years ago. Loved Olive.
This is one of my favorite books. I love the depth of the characters. Love her or hate her, Olive is a fascinating character.
Olive isn’t an easy woman to love.
Do you know someone who is sort of tough on everything? I mean like, nothing really makes them happy and they’re about to sabotage the people around them? That’s Olive Kitteridge.
This is an award-winning book, so when I picked it up I had high hopes for it. I have to admit, this is a novel told in short …
Olive Kitteridge is an original. She pulls the reader in and holds on. She is memorable.
Such a memorable character who manages to make the most of her strange world.
Excellent read of examining a person and the many facets about her through different eyes
This book grows on you It shows how one can be wise, yet very vulnerable and insensitive all at the same time.
Very well written and interesting plot even though a few times I got a little lost with the jumping around of the different characters in each chapter. It was an exceptionally touching story and I identified with Olive more than I wanted to. Giving 4 stars.
Will definitely read Olive Again!
In writing about the human condition, Elizabeth Strout is about as good as it gets.
Hard to follow what was happening to the characters until the end.
A story going nowhere.
Elizabeth Strout is my favorite author….I love all of her books so much.
Great writing
Have tried three times over 5 years to read this book and cannot get past their 2nd chapter. As a character study, it would be interesting to some but I find Olive too difficult to like or empathize with to continue reading. I’m sure I will try again, perhaps at a different period in my life but it is rather depressing to me and I struggle to …