Olive Kitteridge

Sarah’s choice

– Wednesday 1st March 2023 at 7.00pm

Book: Olive Kitteridge

Author: Elizabeth Strout

Synopsis

Olive Kitteridge: indomitable, compassionate and often unpredictable. A retired schoolteacher in a small coastal town in Maine, as she grows older she struggles to make sense of the changes in her life. She is a woman who sees into the hearts of those around her, their triumphs and tragedies.

We meet her stoic husband, bound to her in a marriage both broken and strong, and a young man who aches for the mother he lost – and whom Olive comforts by her mere presence, while her own son feels overwhelmed by her complex sensitivities.

A penetrating, vibrant exploration of the human soul, the story of Olive Kitteridge will make you laugh, nod in recognition, wince in pain, and shed a tear or two.

Our Review

We all (mostly!) enjoyed reading about Olive and the lives of the people in her village. Well written and interesting, if rather bleak, we admired Olive’s forthrightness and quiet strength whilst also recognising her flaws. We grew to understand and like her more as the novel progressed.

Kindle link : Amazon