Comments on: Olive Kitteridge by Elizabeth Strout

By: Catherine

Catherine — Sun, 03 Nov 2019 23:38:58 +0000

In reply to Darlene. I ended liking the sequel equally as much as the original- which is hard to say because in some ways I didn't like either one! There was just something about Strout's writing and the unvarnished truth about relationships that hit home.

By: Catherine

Catherine — Sun, 03 Nov 2019 23:37:02 +0000

In reply to Dawn F. She certainly took the appeal of small towns and brought the reality to light.

By: Catherine

Catherine — Sun, 03 Nov 2019 23:36:12 +0000

In reply to Kristin. I get it! I know so many people who couldn't finish the book. I'm usually in that crowd but there was something about Strout's writing that kept me reading.

By: Catherine

Catherine — Sun, 03 Nov 2019 23:35:07 +0000

In reply to JanB. I definitely felt like the people around Olive made it possible for me to keep reading. Her husband was so kind.

By: Catherine

Catherine — Sun, 03 Nov 2019 23:34:09 +0000

In reply to Susie | Novel Visits. Oh no, don't Olive against Maine! I love it there. We were seriously considering moving there, but chose Portland instead. It's a great state.

By: Darlene

Darlene — Tue, 22 Oct 2019 01:11:07 +0000

I’m so glad you decided to read this! I listened to your conversation with Sarah on the podcast, and I was really hoping you would go ahead with it.
I read Olive a few years back. I really only remember impressions, not so much detail, but I was captivated, when I finally figured out what the format was. (You know, with the interconnected short stories. )
I hope to read the sequel sometime soon. Let us know what you think.

By: Kristin

Kristin — Mon, 21 Oct 2019 16:13:10 +0000

Nope, I didn’t like the character, or the book. I finished it as well because I understood that you don’t necessarily need to love the character to like the book. But then I didn’t like the book, so…

By: Dawn F

Dawn F — Mon, 21 Oct 2019 14:41:53 +0000

I so agree! I never liked Olive, but was sad for her – and the people in her life. Strout’s writing is so spot-on about small town living! I felt like I was reading about my small hometown in Wisconsin.

By: Susie | Novel Visits

Susie | Novel Visits — Mon, 21 Oct 2019 13:05:04 +0000

Between the two Olive books, I have no desire to ever go to Maine!

By: JanB

JanB — Mon, 21 Oct 2019 12:36:39 +0000

Well-said! Since it’s one of my top favorite books of all time, I love that you came to appreciate Olive. I also never liked her (I don’t think we were supposed to) but I came to understand her and feel sympathy. I loved that Strout gave us glimpses of Olive through other people. Strout’s insight and wisdom into human nature is so compelling and thought-provoking.

I think you will love the sequel, as Olive ages and becomes more introspective.