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3.81 AVERAGE
3.81 AVERAGE
challenging
emotional
reflective
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
This novel became increasingly miserable as it progressed. The writing itself is excellent, with beautiful lyrical interludes that describe nature, the weather, and landscapes. The structure is intriguing: a patchwork of interconnected vignettes that capture the lives of small-town residents gossiping about one another. These narratives orbit around Olive Kitteridge, a sharp-tempered, brusque woman whom many dislike. Ironically, I found her abrasiveness endearing—she reminded me of a slightly intimidating neighbour.
The interesting technique of leaping across characters, decades, and life stages without warning—one moment a character is seventeen, and a few pages later, they’re married, divorced, or dead—is compelling once you adjust to it. This experimental structure lends a unique rhythm to the storytelling and showcases Strout’s literary skill.
However, the book falters in substance. Despite its high literary quality, it feels as though Strout has nothing to say. Her characters are ordinary, their lives humdrum and uninspired. There’s no deeper commentary, no exploration of the social or political forces shaping this small town, and no attempt to elevate these lives beyond their mundane struggles. The absence of this broader context leaves the story feeling hollow. What was the point of writing this book? What was in the Author's mind? Her intention?
As the narrative shifts increasingly toward aging, illness, and death, it becomes relentlessly morbid. This bleakness isn’t profound—it’s just depressing. That's because the characters’ lives seem so pointless, and Strout offers no insights to counteract this despair. When Henry, Olive’s long-suffering husband, suffers a debilitating stroke, the story spirals into sheer misery. At this point, it felt to me as though Strout was enjoying taking the reader into this terminal, threatening hopelessness, dragging me down with her.
There’s a certain kind of novel (I think of JohnMcGahern as only one example) that fixates on death, sadess, and decay from the outset but only gradually reveals its full intent, which is to immerse readers in the Author's own dark world-view. This is one of those books. I realized I didn’t want to go where Strout was leading—into her grim narrative that offers neither solace nor meaning. So I DNF: something I'm always reluctant to do.
Life is too short for novels that delight in despair. I won’t be reading anything more by Elizabeth Strout.
The interesting technique of leaping across characters, decades, and life stages without warning—one moment a character is seventeen, and a few pages later, they’re married, divorced, or dead—is compelling once you adjust to it. This experimental structure lends a unique rhythm to the storytelling and showcases Strout’s literary skill.
However, the book falters in substance. Despite its high literary quality, it feels as though Strout has nothing to say. Her characters are ordinary, their lives humdrum and uninspired. There’s no deeper commentary, no exploration of the social or political forces shaping this small town, and no attempt to elevate these lives beyond their mundane struggles. The absence of this broader context leaves the story feeling hollow. What was the point of writing this book? What was in the Author's mind? Her intention?
As the narrative shifts increasingly toward aging, illness, and death, it becomes relentlessly morbid. This bleakness isn’t profound—it’s just depressing. That's because the characters’ lives seem so pointless, and Strout offers no insights to counteract this despair. When Henry, Olive’s long-suffering husband, suffers a debilitating stroke, the story spirals into sheer misery. At this point, it felt to me as though Strout was enjoying taking the reader into this terminal, threatening hopelessness, dragging me down with her.
There’s a certain kind of novel (I think of JohnMcGahern as only one example) that fixates on death, sadess, and decay from the outset but only gradually reveals its full intent, which is to immerse readers in the Author's own dark world-view. This is one of those books. I realized I didn’t want to go where Strout was leading—into her grim narrative that offers neither solace nor meaning. So I DNF: something I'm always reluctant to do.
Life is too short for novels that delight in despair. I won’t be reading anything more by Elizabeth Strout.
emotional
inspiring
reflective
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
challenging
dark
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
challenging
emotional
reflective
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
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
emotional
hopeful
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Loveable characters:
Complicated
challenging
emotional
hopeful
reflective
sad
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Unique book made up of some sad and disturbing short stories of a small town. I liked how the perspective was as if the reader is a fly on the wall, and are given insight on how lives intertwine. It was interesting to see how secrets are revealed and emotions of anger, regret, and love swell up in the characters. The first half of the book seemed to lack an overall cohesive story which made it more challenging to get through. But the last section brought together the changed character of Olive in her old age - that she would choose to have gratitude for the beauty left in her life.
I've had this on my to-read list for awhile, and was pushed to pick it up when my friend Jen reviewed it. I have to agree with her; this is an outstanding piece of work. I am most impressed by the understanding that the author shows of the mind of the aging person. The drawing of the characters throughout this book is stellar; I cared about what happened to them. I understand that this is also an HBO miniseries, and I think I will check it out.