Winner of the 2009 Pulitzer

Olive Kitteridge

Name: Olive Kitteridge
Author: Elizabeth Strout
ISBN: 158836688X

by Elizabeth Strout

Approximately 288 pages

Linked stories gradually build a portrait of one difficult, perceptive woman and the Maine community around her.

Difficulty

Accessible

Pace

Measured

Mood

intimate, unsentimental

Book club

High

Find in a library

Is this book for you?

Read this if you enjoy

character focused readers
book clubs
readers interested in difficult family relationships

Consider another book if

you need one continuous plot
you require an immediately likeable central character

What it is about

"Olive Kitteridge" is a novel composed of interconnected stories set in a small town in Maine. The central character, Olive, is a retired schoolteacher with a complex personality. Throughout the book, Olive navigates her relationships with family, friends, and neighbors.

The narrative explores themes of love, loss, and the passage of time. Each story provides insight into Olive's character and her impact on those around her. The book delves into the struggles of ordinary life and the human condition.

Olive's interactions reveal her strengths and vulnerabilities. The setting serves as a backdrop for the characters' emotional journeys. Strout's writing captures the nuances of everyday experiences.

The collection ultimately portrays the richness of community and connection.