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3.81 AVERAGE
3.81 AVERAGE
The characters were so real, the stories were so raw and observations on life so true... I love it when a great book makes me feel what it's like to be a human again. I am in love with Strout's style of writing. Will definitely read more from her!
A picture of small-town life told through connected stories.
Through each story... is Olive, a tough, blunt and stubborn retired school teacher.
I've set a goal to read all the Pulitzer Prize winners from 1981 onward.
Along the way, I’ve come across some truly great books, and a few that fell flat.
This one, while not a total miss, definitely leaned in that direction.
I think I was supposed to feel a certain fondness for Olive, to be endeared by her complexity, but I wasn’t. While I did feel sorry for her at times, that sympathy wasn’t enough to outweigh her often annoying behavior.
I wasn’t a fan of the book’s format, multiple short stories where Olive plays some role in each. The stories were too brief for me to form any real connection with the characters, and even though Olive appears in all of them, she wasn’t central enough for me to truly connect with her either.
Through each story... is Olive, a tough, blunt and stubborn retired school teacher.
I've set a goal to read all the Pulitzer Prize winners from 1981 onward.
Along the way, I’ve come across some truly great books, and a few that fell flat.
This one, while not a total miss, definitely leaned in that direction.
I think I was supposed to feel a certain fondness for Olive, to be endeared by her complexity, but I wasn’t. While I did feel sorry for her at times, that sympathy wasn’t enough to outweigh her often annoying behavior.
I wasn’t a fan of the book’s format, multiple short stories where Olive plays some role in each. The stories were too brief for me to form any real connection with the characters, and even though Olive appears in all of them, she wasn’t central enough for me to truly connect with her either.
emotional
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Some reviewers refer to this book as being "about old people." My guess is that these are written by young people, who haven't seen and experienced the truths that Strout tells through these 13 stories.
For those of us old enough to see our plans for the future dashed, multiple friends pass away leaving spouses to navigate life alone, the book "Olive Kitteridge" speaks to us.
Interestingly, the character Olive says something about young people thinking they have is all figured out, but really having no idea what's in store when they retire and the kids move away...
Olive is also quite certain of herself and who she is, but the events of this novel trigger some self examination... something we can all benefit from.
While this book is like life, sad at times. It's also hopeful, which life is, too.
For those of us old enough to see our plans for the future dashed, multiple friends pass away leaving spouses to navigate life alone, the book "Olive Kitteridge" speaks to us.
Interestingly, the character Olive says something about young people thinking they have is all figured out, but really having no idea what's in store when they retire and the kids move away...
Olive is also quite certain of herself and who she is, but the events of this novel trigger some self examination... something we can all benefit from.
While this book is like life, sad at times. It's also hopeful, which life is, too.
The first story was fantastic, then it became more or less mediocre. It's mostly about old people.
7/10
7/10
I really tried. I enjoyed a few of the short stories, but overall the structure and the misery just didn’t do it for me.
funny
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
emotional
funny
inspiring
reflective
sad
medium-paced
I wanted more olive and less randoms, but I still loved it. Kimberley Farr is a fantastic narrator