The characters feel so real and deep despite the short Story narrative. What a wonderful book with a heartfelt collection of stories woven together by a common thread.

It’s sad what life does to us but the author nailed it here. A little difficult to follow all the characters

A few moments of self reflection over a lifetime does not make a good book.

I tried so hard to like this book but I was lost the whole time, like I walked in on the middle of a conversation and could never figure out what was going on and that the conversation was not that good to begin with. Nothing grabbed me with the story, no character kept me thinking, no scene was set to remember. I don’t even really know what the book was trying to get at. There is so much better out there. Give this one a skip

Maybe if I could read the book I purchased, Olive Kitteridge, I could review it positively. Unfortunately, I bought it this morning from iTunes and after seven or more hours the app still pops up a message to say it’s downloading and will be available in my library when it is downloaded. Meanwhile, it looks like any other downloaded book in my library—puzzling and disappointing. I was ready to switch from another very popular book seller, but perhaps it was a mistake.

This book was beautiful. With every single story I was enthralled and couldn’t put it down. Started off a little slow but once I got into it I couldn’t stop. At the end of every one I had almost an epiphany about life. Each story makes you think and re-evaluate how you think. It truly is a book about life. While that makes some moments tough to get through, you realize the meaning of each one by the end. One of my favorite books of all time.

Could anyone play Olive except Frances Mcdormand? I saw the series first and actually read the sequel first before reading the original. Hope that Olive again makes it to HB.

Love this book! The odd thing is, I tried reading Olive Kitteridge few years ago and had to put it down. The story was depressing. I couldn’t stand Olive. She was a horrible woman, wife and mother. A few years have passed and recently I gave the book another try- After all there must be something good about it if it’s a bestseller and a Pulitzer Prize winner, right? Maybe the timing had to be right for me to appreciate/“hear“ Olive’s story because this time I read the whole book and was very moved. Elizabeth Strout is an amazing writer! I immediately went on to read the sequel -Olive, Again. (👍!)

Had to put this down once but picked it up again. It HAD to be good reading if it won a Pulitzer Prize, right? This time it grabbed me at the beginning and held me until the end. Strout’s writing was superb. The lives lived by several of the “townies” in Olive’s life reminded me of my friends, neighbors and relations. The author’s ability to describe a landscape or personal interaction with beautiful metaphors and similes had me shaking my head in awe at the skillful use of her craft. Olive is a crusty piece of work. Damaged, flawed and defensive but so like someone I know, I would love to be her friend. She would always tell me the truth I wouldn’t want but needed to hear. And low maintenance! Thank you for Olive, Elizabeth.

Wonderful book. Beautifully written. Highly recommended. This is the first Elizabeth Strout book I have read - I look forward to reading her others.