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Olive Kitteridge,
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Judy Lindow
Gawd, all these comments are telling me something about myself. I never thought: depressing like a lot of people seem to experience the book. I thought: realistic, honest, sad. I guess the matter of fact way, the know it all, kind of person Olive is - is not too dissimilar to myself. There are some beautiful sentiments, expressing hope, anticipation, and greed for the future - what happens in the end is nothing to sneeze at. IMO Olive's realistic and frank perspective is more exciting to me than someone who's a Pollyanna. Yes, I questioned whether there could be that much woe, sometimes ... but fell on the side of yes, there could be, there is, it's just that it's so ugly and scary sometimes we don't look or talk about it.
Kate Bullock
I loved this book. I thought it truthful, insightful and beautifully written, The characters were flawed and utterly believable.
Rose
I hope you finished it and enjoyed it. It's one of the best books I've ever read.
Plateresca
I know this is an old question, but I still want to chip in, for future readers :)
When people say 'it's not really sad, it's just realistic', they are, of course, right, because sad things do happen and even worse things happen than those described in this book, so in theory we should not be too distressed or depressed by it.
In practise, though, some people are at certain times just more susceptible to sadness and depression than others, and for suchlike people this is a borderline reading. I was reading this in a period I would describe as less than good, but not awful, and it was kind of encouraging for me to see that I could note the sadness of the book but still not feel it as my own sadness. But there are moments when we become, for various reasons, more permeable to emotions, or maybe just to negative emotions. If you are in such a state right now, this is probably not wise to pick up 'Olive', because you already see too much of life's sadness, and plunging into more sadness (and the book is well-written and thus very convincing) is just not what you need.
When people say 'it's not really sad, it's just realistic', they are, of course, right, because sad things do happen and even worse things happen than those described in this book, so in theory we should not be too distressed or depressed by it.
In practise, though, some people are at certain times just more susceptible to sadness and depression than others, and for suchlike people this is a borderline reading. I was reading this in a period I would describe as less than good, but not awful, and it was kind of encouraging for me to see that I could note the sadness of the book but still not feel it as my own sadness. But there are moments when we become, for various reasons, more permeable to emotions, or maybe just to negative emotions. If you are in such a state right now, this is probably not wise to pick up 'Olive', because you already see too much of life's sadness, and plunging into more sadness (and the book is well-written and thus very convincing) is just not what you need.
Monica
I found it quite hopeful actually. The character "Olive" is so strong, so enduring, and quite funny - there seems to be no political correctness to her outspoken nature. She tells it like she sees it. A no nonsense woman. She so reminds me of my late mother.
The writing is superb. No wonder it won the Pulitzer.
The writing is superb. No wonder it won the Pulitzer.
Dominga
Hard for me too to get to the end of it! Even if I was aware it is beautifully written. Have you finished it then?
Kate Bullock
I loved this book. I thought it truthful, insightful and beautifully written, The characters were flawed and utterly believable.
Beaniej
There is little hope. Whenever something good happens, Olive finds something bad or messes up a situation. One question I ask is why does everyone in the book seem to have fallen in love with someone else other than their spouse. It's a common theme.
Karen
I am wondering the same thing. I find it pretty depressing so far.
William L Jones
Nope, It just ends with Olive still little more than a big pain in the ass.
Kathie Roy
I have tried to get through it - 3 starts later, I am abandoning it. It's simply too depressing for me.
Corinne Steigerwald
Halfway through....no joy in their lives so far.
Gay Girle
Where there is life, there is hope. It could be the theme of this novel. Olive 'hangs in there' till the end of the novel.
Rose
I'm reading this during the beautiful Christmas season. (What was I thinking?) I'm happy to read here that there is hope!
Tariqah
This answer contains spoilers…
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Susan Vantyle
I hope you finished the book...Yes there is hope for the human condition!
Corrina
I see your question is three weeks old. Did you proceed? It has a very hopeful ending, surprisingly. (There is a lot of despair, right?)
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