Olive Kitteridge - The Library of the Uncommons

Hardcover, 288 pages

English language

Published March 25, 2008 by Random House.

ISBN:: 978-1-4000-6208-9
OCLC Number:: 123767230

(6 reviews)

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 of Crosby, Maine, 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 her husband, 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.

10 editions

ahynes1 reviewed Olive Kitteridge by Elizabeth Strout

Review of 'Olive Kitteridge' on 'Goodreads'

5 stars

I took a break from reading novels from cultural settings different from my own, and chose this novel, or more accurately, collection of stories because it sounded like it was closer to my own family history. It was uncanny. Many of my ancestors came from Maine and New Hampshire. I could easily imagine Olive and Henry being not too distant relatives, the stories, the ways of speech, and all that went on sounded so familiar. They were the stories I imagine my mother and her sisters may have told about some of their relatives.

I strongly recommend reading books from cultural settings different from your own. If your ancestors did not paddle up the bay ages ago, then you should probably read this book to learn more about where I come from. If they did, then you should probably read this book to learn more about our shared ancestors.