Isabel1969
asked:
SPOILER. Was anyone else bothered by how casually Olive says toward the end that she hit her son (not just spanked - hit)?
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Olive Kitteridge,
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Judy Lindow
OMG. This is what makes OK so wonderful. This is a secret, a shame, that OK has kept under wraps her entire life. It's also proof of her having 'changed', as I don't think she was aware it was wrong when she was living that experience. I think the stories reveal the process of Olive beginning to understand how others perceived her, her own culpability, and trying to be more accountable for her past actions, how she treated others. She is on the road to atonement and how lovely to think that any of us can have the courage to look for that in ourselves and those closest to us when we're in old age and approaching death.
Diana
I don't think she spoke it casually at all. It was a huge revelation for her. Introspection certainly wasn't her strong suit, that's for sure!
Ramona
When you discover that Olive was hitting her son, rather than a spanking, if it was for something he did, that is wrong. Olive was very guilty of belittling her son, so she used verbal abuse as well. I think of the time period this is about. Parenting was quite different then. We learn of her childhood a little bit, and have to realize that she might not have grown up with a parent who loved her, or showed kindness. In years past, physical punishment from very loving parents was the norm. Most children grew up without complexes or hatred of their parents. Sadly as in every generation, there are cruel parents whose punishments are a crime. There is a right way to parent and a wrong way, but it is difficult to find a balance, so that you do not raise spoiled, disrespectful, unappreciative children...which is very prevalent in our society today. I raised my children differently, as do my children. They do not always appreciate our advice, but they know how they were raised. I think this book should be required reading for all parents. Take a look inside our selves and see what our children see.
Ashley Cooprider
Yes, I was bothered. She was a cruel woman (at times, anyway), and I hope she had some remorse for her actions. As a mother with two young children, it definitely made me think about how I am parenting, and how my children will remember me one day. Hopefully my children and I will not have Olive and Chris' issues.
And I agree with most everyone else, this was an extremely depressing book!!
And I agree with most everyone else, this was an extremely depressing book!!
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