Olive Kitteridge ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Olive Kitteridge by Elizabeth Strout

G👀gle


This book is a series of interrelated stories from which you learn about Olive Kitteridge and the people surrounding her. Olive is a difficult woman, at best. She is not easily liked. Over the course of the book, she learns about herself and grows.

G👀dreads

At times stern, at other times patient, at times perceptive, at other times in sad denial, Olive Kitteridge, a retired schoolteacher, deplores the changes in her little town of Crosby, Maine, and in the world at large, but she doesn’t always recognize the changes in those around her: a lounge musician haunted by a past romance; a former student who has lost the will to live; Olive’s own adult child, who feels tyrannized by her irrational sensitivities; and her husband, Henry, who finds his loyalty to his marriage both a blessing and a curse.
As the townspeople grapple with their problems, mild and dire, Olive is brought to a deeper understanding of herself and her life – sometimes painfully, but always with ruthless honesty.

Genre: Fiction, Literary Fiction, Contemporary, Short Stories

RSCBC = RSCBC BookClubRead

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

I was a little skeptical because its a series of short stories, but all the stories are about Olive and things happening in her life or the lives of people in her community that somehow intertwine.

It certainly isn't a cheerful book though. It's more real life situations that aren't exactly rosy and her personality which is a little gruff. I can't deduct a star because every story didn't have a happily ever after. It was good storytelling and great narration. Oh.My.Gosh there was a parrot in one story and the narrator made it hilarious. Anytime someone would swear, out of nowhere the parrot would have a religious outburst, like "Praise God". Her parrot voice was spot on. Not sure I would have enjoyed the parrot as much if I was reading the words.

From my book club meeting:
The reviews were mixed. Olive wasn't exactly a very nice person. One person connected with her because she saw a lot of herself in Olive. Others were reminded of older relatives. One lady who didn't particularly like the book, appreciated that Olive was her authentic self. Said what was on her mind, she pulled no punches. If you knew Olive, you knew exactly what you were getting. We agreed that Olive did not see herself the same way others did. Olive was a teacher. One interesting observation, one of the ladies thought she was the way she was because she was a teacher. As a teacher you are (hopefully) always in charge of your audience. People are looking to you for information and expect you to know all the answers. Four of the ladies in our group are retired teachers. THAT sparked an interesting conversation.

🎧Kimberly Farr

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