In 'Olive Kitteridge,' Pulitzer Prize-winning author Elizabeth Strout explores the complexities of small-town life through the eyes of the titular character, a retired schoolteacher with a sharp wit and a deep reservoir of emotions. The novel unfolds in a series of interconnected stories that delve into the lives of Olive, her family, and her neighbors, revealing their struggles, joys, and the intricate web of human relationships. As Olive navigates her own imperfections, readers are invited to reflect on the beauty and fragility of life, love, and loss. Strout's exquisite prose captures the nuances of everyday moments, making the ordinary feel profound. Will Olive find redemption and peace amidst the chaos of her life and the lives around her?
By Elizabeth Strout
Published: 2008
"In this world, we are never set free. We are always bound by the connections we make, the love we share, and the pain we endure."
WINNER OF THE PULITZER PRIZE • The beloved first novel featuring Olive Kitteridge, from the #1 New York Times bestselling author of My Name is Lucy Barton and the Oprah’s Book Club pick Olive, Again “Fiction lovers, remember this name: Olive Kitteridge. . . . You’ll never forget her.”—USA Today “Strout animates the ordinary with astonishing force.”—The New Yorker One of the New York Times’s 100 Best Books of the 21st Century A BEST BOOK OF THE YEAR: The Washington Post Book World, USA Today, San Francisco Chronicle, Chicago Tribune, Seattle Post-Intelligencer, People, Entertainment Weekly, The Christian Science Monitor, The Plain Dealer, The Atlantic, Rocky Mountain News, Library Journal At times stern, at other times patient, at times perceptive, at other times in sad denial, Olive Kitteridge, a retired schoolteacher, deplores the changes in her little town of Crosby, Maine, and in the world at large, but she doesn’t always recognize the changes in those around her: a lounge musician haunted by a past romance; a former student who has lost the will to live; Olive’s own adult child, who feels tyrannized by her irrational sensitivities; and her husband, Henry, who finds his loyalty to his marriage both a blessing and a curse. As the townspeople grapple with their problems, mild and dire, Olive is brought to a deeper understanding of herself and her life—sometimes painfully, but always with ruthless honesty. Olive Kitteridge offers profound insights into the human condition—its conflicts, its tragedies and joys, and the endurance it requires. The inspiration for the Emmy Award–winning HBO miniseries starring Frances McDormand, Richard Jenkins, and Bill Murray
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“In this world, we are never set free. We are always bound by the connections we make, the love we share, and the pain we endure.”
Olive Kitteridge
By Elizabeth Strout
Discover a world of knowledge through our extensive collection of book summaries.
Elizabeth Strout is an acclaimed American author known for her deeply resonant and character-driven narratives. She is best known for her Pulitzer Prize-winning novel "Olive Kitteridge," a collection of connected stories that explore the complexities of human connections and the intricacies of small-town life. Strout's notable works also include "My Name Is Lucy Barton," "Abide with Me," and "Anything Is Possible." Her writing style is characterized by its lyrical prose, profound emotional insights, and an ability to capture the nuances of everyday experiences. Strout's exploration of themes such as loneliness, love, and the passage of time has made her a significant voice in contemporary literature.
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