57 pages 1 hour read

Elizabeth Strout

Olive Kitteridge

Fiction | Novel | Adult | Published in 2008

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Before You Read

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Super Short Summary

Olive Kitteridge by Elizabeth Strout is an unconventional novel interlinking 13 tales about the people of Crosby, Maine, with the unifying element of titular character Olive Kitteridge, exploring her life, relationships, and how she fits into her community. Themes include love, loss, and the struggles of ordinary life. The book contains discussions of suicide, alcohol use disorder, and eating disorders, and references to self-harm.

Reviews & Readership

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Review Roundup

Elizabeth Strout's Olive Kitteridge is praised for its rich, complex portrayal of a small-town teacher navigating life’s trials. The compelling character study and nuanced storytelling resonate deeply. However, some readers find the protagonist unlikable and the plot slow. Overall, Strout's vivid prose and emotional depth make it a memorable read.

Who should read this

Who Should Read Olive Kitteridge ?

Readers who enjoy deeply nuanced character studies and New England settings in their fiction will appreciate Elizabeth Strout's Olive Kitteridge. Similar works include Annie Proulx's The Shipping News and Marilynne Robinson's Gilead, which also blend introspective storytelling with rich, evocative locales.

RecommendedReading Age

18+years

Book Details

Themes

Life/Time: Mortality & Death

Emotions/Behavior: Grief

Relationships: Family

Genre

Modern Classic Fiction