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aimless's review against another edition
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
2.0
eyelit's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
4.0
librarian_kj's review against another edition
4.0
I both love and hate Olive. She’s wonderful in the worst and best ways.
clobootylicious's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
addiec1's review against another edition
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
3.0
tracey1981's review against another edition
emotional
funny
reflective
slow-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
4.75
Elizabeth Strout’s character-development is second to none. And Olive is the deeply human, authentic, older woman character I’ve been hoping for after reading too many books with cartoony older women. There’s a lot here about relationships of all kinds, aging, life, and death. I look forward to reading the sequel and the rest of Strout’s backlist - I’ve loved everything I’ve read by her so far.
Note: There were times where the author’s descriptions of some characters and/or the characters’ descriptions of one another were quite fatphobic and/or ableist. I do believe those characters would have said or thought those things, especially 16+ years ago when this book is set, but it still detracted enough from this otherwise excellent book to be worth mentioning.
Note: There were times where the author’s descriptions of some characters and/or the characters’ descriptions of one another were quite fatphobic and/or ableist. I do believe those characters would have said or thought those things, especially 16+ years ago when this book is set, but it still detracted enough from this otherwise excellent book to be worth mentioning.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Suicidal thoughts, Eating disorder, and Body shaming
Moderate: Ableism, Fatphobia, and Chronic illness
jackc5755's review against another edition
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
angelica_jardinerica's review against another edition
5.0
There's something exquisite about how Elizabeth Strout portrays the human condition, with all its flaws, virtues, joys and tragedies. While it's true there doesn't initially appear to be much joy in any of the stories presented in the book, I found myself wanting to go back and join the world of these complex characters as they just try to get through life and all it throws at them. There's so much to identify with and so much that resonates in the different relationships, some which overlap in the various chapters. Strict, disciplined, ex-teacher Olive comes across as extremely judgemental, but we are at risk of falling into the trap of judging her as she simply struggles to navigate a world she often doesn't understand. One of the issues the novel raises is: how far are we victims of circumstance, or victims of our own decisions? We are all products of our past, and no life is free of trauma; and, at the end of the day we all want to be loved.