Reviews

Olive Kitteridge by Elizabeth Strout

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signorponza's review against another edition

2.0

Olive Kitteridge non è un personaggio simpatico: insegnante oggi in pensione, Olive è il filo che tiene insieme i racconti che compongono questo libro e narrano le vicende degli abitanti della piccola cittadina del Maine dove anche lei abita insieme al marito. È una donna molto severa nei giudizi, diffida di tutti i cambiamenti che stanno avvenendo a Crosby (questo il nome della cittadina), ma al tempo stesso fa fatica a notare quelli che la riguardano più da vicino. Insomma, sembra me. Non è una lettura pesante, ma è il personaggio ad esserlo. Almeno, per il mio gusto. Perché non si può negare che lo stile e la scrittura siano piacevoli e il libro si lasci leggere agilmente. Probabilmente quello sbagliato sono io (basta vedere le recensioni estremamente positive che si trovano qui su Goodreads).

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alice_wright27's review against another edition

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emotional hopeful reflective slow-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.0

birdinflight1's review against another edition

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3.0

This book was very depressing, but it made me think and feel lots of feelings. At first I didn't understand the structure, but then I read the comments on the jacket, which helped me see how all the stories connected.

febender's review against another edition

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5.0

The initial dislike I had for Olive’s nature faded quickly with Strout’s beautifully woven stories. Each new piece of this interwoven puzzle is raw and tender and gives you a beautiful perspective on the flaws within each of us, the way we view others, the ways in which we grow and change, and so much more.

When people dislike books because they think the main character is an unlikable antagonist - I think they often miss the point. We are all flawed, and when we look at others in an unfiltered way the way we are able to in narratives, we should see the beauty and honesty in this rawness. Are any of us better than Olive? Any worse? Or is it that we are all human, just doing our best with what we have been given.

Strout’s writing seems profoundly able to speak to this truth. I am blown away by her beautiful story telling.