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3.81 AVERAGE
3.81 AVERAGE
slow-paced
**Initial note on Strout's other books: I came to this book via the Lucy Barton books - this is a different kind of novel. If you want Lucy, you may not want Olive.**
There is a bravery and intensity to this book. Brave in the way Strout makes no attempt to couch Olive, she goes to no lengths to make her understood, to soften her harsh thoughts and vicious moods. This character is a complicated woman. She is lovable and hated. Hatable and loved. She is a (rather large) woman on the street, forgettable and insignificant but she is also the teacher that looms large in the minds of all her students. The mother who can dominate and offend. Through the perspectives of everyone around her, and herself, we meet a character in the context of her town, her community, her motherhood, marriage, job. We see Olive as she sees herself, her blindspots known and unknown, and as others see her. I was particularly moved by her son's developing account of his mother, how he uses therapy to attempt to grow close to her again while also keeping a boundary. Yet, never identifying how this might affect her. Strout, without shoving your face to it, reveals how like his mother Christopher is. That perhaps the way Olive feels about Christopher is how Henry felt about Olive, always on the back foot. Always ready to love.
This book is a small town in Maine, and the woman to embodies that town. Like that woman, this book has flaws, but you can't help but love it.
There is a bravery and intensity to this book. Brave in the way Strout makes no attempt to couch Olive, she goes to no lengths to make her understood, to soften her harsh thoughts and vicious moods. This character is a complicated woman. She is lovable and hated. Hatable and loved. She is a (rather large) woman on the street, forgettable and insignificant but she is also the teacher that looms large in the minds of all her students. The mother who can dominate and offend. Through the perspectives of everyone around her, and herself, we meet a character in the context of her town, her community, her motherhood, marriage, job. We see Olive as she sees herself, her blindspots known and unknown, and as others see her. I was particularly moved by her son's developing account of his mother, how he uses therapy to attempt to grow close to her again while also keeping a boundary. Yet, never identifying how this might affect her. Strout, without shoving your face to it, reveals how like his mother Christopher is. That perhaps the way Olive feels about Christopher is how Henry felt about Olive, always on the back foot. Always ready to love.
This book is a small town in Maine, and the woman to embodies that town. Like that woman, this book has flaws, but you can't help but love it.
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
emotional
reflective
sad
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
A series of stories that take place in Maine and have some (minor in many cases) connection to Olive. Interesting view into aging and life in (New England?) small towns. Cooks Corner was mentioned a few times, which made me wonder if this was about "home".
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Olive Kitteridge by Elizabeth Strout paints a picture of Olive through a series of short stories. While you get to know Olive you also see glimpses of other people whose paths have at some point crossed with Olive's. Simply put this book is about life, without sugarcoating. It was an enjoyable read and I think I will read Olive, Again when I have the time.
relaxing
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
emotional
reflective
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated