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This book left me wondering about the Pulitzer Prize committee's recent obsession with connected short stories, as if the narrative plot of a more traditional novel must seem passe, since two out of the last four winners have been connected short stories and they skipped a year. The book had a little bit of Spoon River Anthology feel to it, with everything revolving around Olive Kitteridge instead of the graveyard. This slice of small town life feels real and human, which is what you want from y
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Olive Kitteridge is a retired teacher who lives in a small town called Crosby, Maine. Olive is married and has a grown son and has made an impact on the people she meets. Olive gets older as the novel progresses and as we read through the curves that life throws her, she searches to understand and come to terms with her life.
Thirteen interconnected stories weave through the town of Crosby, and the core of the novel is Olive. Each short story in the book has Olive Kitteridge drifting through the ...more
Thirteen interconnected stories weave through the town of Crosby, and the core of the novel is Olive. Each short story in the book has Olive Kitteridge drifting through the ...more

I love and author who writes the story and character honestly. She doesn't make them what she wants them to be, but rather allows them to be themselves, to grow and fail as we all do. I loved this book. The story of Olive Kitteridge told partly from her point of view, partly from the people that she is surrounded by. I love love this book.
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Olive seemed so sad; she didn't enjoy life....
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Absolutely liked this book!
A bit like short stories that have one link ... Olive.
You learn to know her throughout the book.
The only thing ... need to stay focu to enjoy the book.
Do not take on if you cannot complete the read in a short time ... difficult to get back in the story (not an airplane book)
Very enjoyable writing ... nice style.
A bit like short stories that have one link ... Olive.
You learn to know her throughout the book.
The only thing ... need to stay focu to enjoy the book.
Do not take on if you cannot complete the read in a short time ... difficult to get back in the story (not an airplane book)
Very enjoyable writing ... nice style.

This book was beautifully written, raw and powerful, but it is one of the most depressing books I have ever read. Themes are aging, illness, suicide, dysfunction, etc. Several scenes were like a literal punch to the gut and it was hard to read over a holiday weekend!

Nov 25, 2009
Tanya
marked it as to-read

Nov 17, 2010
SandyC
marked it as to-read

Feb 04, 2011
Kathy Jo
marked it as to-read

Jan 04, 2012
Patricia
added it

Mar 19, 2013
Anna
marked it as to-read

Jul 10, 2013
Stephanie
marked it as to-read