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Elizabeth Strout Collection 2 Books Set (Olive Kitteridge & Olive, Again) by Elizabeth Strout
marthaos's review against another edition
4.0
(4.5 stars) I read the first of these, “Olive Kitterage” a few years ago, my first Elizabeth Strout book and I really enjoyed it. Strout was to become one of my favourite writers as I immediately loved the simple narrative, the sharp eye for detail, the wonderfully diverse cast of characters she created, the very strong sense of place and what it means to live in fairly tight-knit communities, a trade mark of many of her books. I was very pleased to see there was a follow-up, revisiting Olive in her latter years.
The books read as stand alone stories but each story is connected to the others in the book, a format that I really like. There is the continuity of a novel but each story has an intensity and structure that makes it satisfying in and of itself. I loved seeing a character from one story pop up for a cameo appearance in another, and it felt very much like you were part of this small Maine town, bumping into these characters on the street.
I loved the voice of Olive, a no-nonsense retired schoolteacher, big and loud with strong and very decisive opinions, yet with a warm heart behind it all. I think this collection presents an overall more sympathetic view of Olive, growing more vulnerable in her old age and having to adapt to changes that make her question beliefs and habits of a lifetime.
The stories range from Olive delivering a baby in the backseat of her car to recounting her son, daughter-in-law and their children paying her a long overdue visit as they learn about her upcoming marriage to Jack, who we remember from the first book. Many of the stories have other characters as protagonists, for example “Dominatrix”, but all stories reference Olive in some way, which is clever and enriching as hers is a voice worth referencing!
All stories have a lot of heart, but also humour, there is sadness and beauty in equal measure, there is aliveness and spark with Olive’s indomitable spirit and occasions in plenty that question the absurdity of modern life. Mortality importantly is a strong theme running through the novel as Olive gets progressively older, but as is the case with many older people, even death and mortality comes to be seen as just a fact of life, and there is no sense of heaviness about it.
I really enjoyed this book and strongly recommend Strout’s writing and storytelling as increasingly strong and engaging with each new book.
The books read as stand alone stories but each story is connected to the others in the book, a format that I really like. There is the continuity of a novel but each story has an intensity and structure that makes it satisfying in and of itself. I loved seeing a character from one story pop up for a cameo appearance in another, and it felt very much like you were part of this small Maine town, bumping into these characters on the street.
I loved the voice of Olive, a no-nonsense retired schoolteacher, big and loud with strong and very decisive opinions, yet with a warm heart behind it all. I think this collection presents an overall more sympathetic view of Olive, growing more vulnerable in her old age and having to adapt to changes that make her question beliefs and habits of a lifetime.
The stories range from Olive delivering a baby in the backseat of her car to recounting her son, daughter-in-law and their children paying her a long overdue visit as they learn about her upcoming marriage to Jack, who we remember from the first book. Many of the stories have other characters as protagonists, for example “Dominatrix”, but all stories reference Olive in some way, which is clever and enriching as hers is a voice worth referencing!
All stories have a lot of heart, but also humour, there is sadness and beauty in equal measure, there is aliveness and spark with Olive’s indomitable spirit and occasions in plenty that question the absurdity of modern life. Mortality importantly is a strong theme running through the novel as Olive gets progressively older, but as is the case with many older people, even death and mortality comes to be seen as just a fact of life, and there is no sense of heaviness about it.
I really enjoyed this book and strongly recommend Strout’s writing and storytelling as increasingly strong and engaging with each new book.
fionaaaaaa's review against another edition
3.0
I am unsure how I feel about this book. You are introduced to Olive and what is going on in her life. There are lots of other characters in this story you are introduced to, some connect with Olive and some don't. I guess it's a snap shot into other people's lives. I enjoyed some parts of this story but mainly I am unsure of how I feel, maybe a little sad. Old age is at times hard. Perhaps if I had read this first I may have enjoyed the story more.
katepolka's review against another edition
4.0
Beautiful. Clever premise, great characters and setting. Very moving about old age and all of life really.
jayme's review
4.0
This book tells the story of the small town life of Olive Kitteridge, but through thirteen short stories, from several different points of view. It is such a unique way to tell this story and I really love that about it. Quite a few of the stories are told through either Olive or her husband Henry's point of view, but the other stories are told by various people in the town. Sometimes Olive plays a major roll in the stories, or sometimes she's merely passing through.
I must say though, as a person, I'm not sure I would like Olive Kitteridge. She's outspoken, stubborn, and often quite mean to the people around her. But as a character she's perfect. Strout managed to make her so flawed, like someone you can imagine meeting and not liking, or possibly someone you already have met and not liked. This book was definitely a worthy read.
I must say though, as a person, I'm not sure I would like Olive Kitteridge. She's outspoken, stubborn, and often quite mean to the people around her. But as a character she's perfect. Strout managed to make her so flawed, like someone you can imagine meeting and not liking, or possibly someone you already have met and not liked. This book was definitely a worthy read.
anthonycardellini's review
4.0
3.5/5
More about the small town in Maine than about Olive, for me. Some really nice reflections on aging. Would be good to read in conjunction with The Largesse of the Sea Maiden.
I really, really didn't understand the stylistic choice to continue giving information that the reader has already been presented with in every story. It felt like the story was written by a host of narrators--but the tone never changes, so why was this choice made?
More about the small town in Maine than about Olive, for me. Some really nice reflections on aging. Would be good to read in conjunction with The Largesse of the Sea Maiden.
I really, really didn't understand the stylistic choice to continue giving information that the reader has already been presented with in every story. It felt like the story was written by a host of narrators--but the tone never changes, so why was this choice made?
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