Olive Kitteridge is a retired high school math teacher who is an enigma. She’s mercurial, often cranky and always brutally honest, especially with herself. Olive is also often at odds with the changing world around her and the people in her orbit. While not all of the stories assembled here are about her, she has some connection to the characters in them.
I vacillate between being defined as a character or plot driven reader and have decided I have a bit of both in me. With these stories, my love for all things related to characters was fed as the author’s skill at defining them deeply with simplicity and elegance lifted them from the pages into my heart. When I read short stories, I like to stop and reflect after each, to consider the relevant points and explore my feelings about them. This book was no different, except I didn’t need a lot of time for reflection. The writing is that good.
As with all short story collections, at least for me, there are some that resonate more strongly and that certainly happened here. But Olive Kitteridge is who remains in the residue of the aftermath. I didn’t like her very much in the beginning but came to respect her by the book’s end. Her relationship with her husband, Henry, often frustrated me but there came a defining moment where it crystallized and I experienced her growth. I listened to these stories, and highly recommend that format as the narrator gave voice to Olive in an extraordinary way…embodying every aspect of her nature. And, she brought the other characters equally to life. This was an excellent collection of stories with outstanding characterizations. It was perfect for my book club’s discussion.
Book Info
- Release Date: April 2, 2019
- Narrator: Kimberly Farr
- Audio Length: 12 hours, 2 minutes
- Publisher: Random House Audio
Blue Mood Café 
Sounds lovely, Jonetta. Happy you enjoyed it. Excellent review!
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Thank you, Mischenko💜
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Lovely review 😀
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Thank you, Nicki💜
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So glad you enjoyed it so. I am sorry I missed the discussion, but I felt that not having read the book in quite some time, I was ill prepared to discuss it. Beautiful review, Jonetta!
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Thank you, Marialyce💜 I completely understand, especially as we got down into the weeds of some of the moments in the book and Olive’s character. It may have jogged your memory but I’ve been there…not fun when you can’t keep up.
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This sounds intriguing!
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Cathy, it’s one of those challenging reads where you must pay attention to the writing…you can’t be passive. I love this kind of reading interspersed with my mysteries and romances. And, my book club agreed with describing the writing as elegant.
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Great review, Jonetta. 🙂 I am not really a fan of short stories, however, I am glad to know you enjoyed reading this one.
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Thank you, Debjani💜 I understand your feelings about short stories as most of my friends aren’t fans. I just seem to connect well with them.
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Fantastic review, Jonetta! I love how much you loved the characterization in this one, it does sound like the author knew how to give her characters a personality that just jumped off the pages (or into your ears? Hahaha). 😀
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Thank you, Lashaan💜 The author has serious skills and she chose a very good narrator.
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I have been meaning to read this one, but for some strange reason, I never realised it was a collection of short stories. 🙄 Now I am not so sure, since I am not a big fan of short stories. Great review, I am glad you ended up enjoying it!
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Thank you, Stargazer💜 Honestly, I didn’t realize it was a collection of short stories until after I’d started! I had to change how I was listening to the book. Since most have a connection to Olive, I think this may be cut from a different short story cloth.
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I’ve heard good things about this one. Fantastic review! I’m not sure it is one for me right now. I’m too scattered, but someday.
Anne – Books of My Heart
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Thank you, Anne💜 This might not be your cuppa but I think you’d appreciate Olive.
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That’s an excellent review, as usual 🙂 xx
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Thank you, Meggy💜
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Excellent review, Jonetta. I’m glad this one was a hit for you.
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Thank you, Suzanne💜
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I recently pulled this off my shelf, Jonetta, because I have the follow-up and haven’t read this one… You make me think I should also pick up the audio because it sounds like the narration adds to it in a wonderful way. Terrific review! ❤️
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Thank you, Jennifer💜 Listen to that full clip and see what you think.
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Another superb review, Jonetta! ❤
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Thank you, Deanna💜
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