Reviews - Olive | The StoryGraph

1.21k reviews for:

6/10 : This has been on my TBR list since it was published, & I’ve only just got around to reading it. Olive & her friends Bea, Isla & Cecily, have been a strong friendship unit for years, experiencing all that life has to offer, together. Each woman has a different life, a different story, & the book depicts well how much friendships can change as life takes us down different paths. The main topic of this book, alongside the friendship theme, is Olive choosing to remain childless, the obstacles she faces by being outspoken about her choice & the anguish she experiences as it changes all of her relationships. The book also delves into trouble conceiving & IVF, & very lightly into postpartum issues. Ultimately, for me, the premise of the book is to show there is more than one way to live a life, & when it comes to having children or not, I think that’s a really important, often taboo opinion, that women in particular are scared to voice. However, I’ve given it a fairly low rating, primarily because I think it was too long, with too much waffle in the middle, which for me, personally, detracted from the plot. It was still a good read, & a decent exploration of this oft taboo topic.

abeiffert's review against another edition

4.75

emotional hopeful reflective medium-paced

Plot or Character Driven: Character

Strong character development: Yes

Loveable characters: Yes

Diverse cast of characters: Yes

Flaws of characters a main focus: Complicated

I loved this. I could see myself in these women and their changing relationships.

wittyburg's review against another edition

5.0

Although there wasn’t much diversity or encouragement to be a single woman, I still haven’t seen many other fictional stories that reflect choosing to be child-free. That alone was refreshing and relatable for me.

I didn’t agree with all of Olive’s choices or communications, and yet I appreciated how messy, complicated, emotional and funny the interwoven stories were.

broccolinisoup's review against another edition

5.0

Such a beautiful read. Especially the last few chapters were so wholesome.

sarabrickwall's review against another edition

3.0

hopeful lighthearted reflective

aashruti's review against another edition

3.0

Goodreads please let us add half star ratings tooo...
3.5

bunty52's review against another edition

2.0

emotional hopeful informative reflective sad slow-paced

Plot or Character Driven: Plot

Strong character development: No

Loveable characters: No

Diverse cast of characters: No

Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

Quite slow and trite. Olive doesn't want children. All her friends are having children. Book bangs on a bit about a woman's choice and the expectations of society. A bit too long for me!