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57 pages 1 hour read

Olive Kitteridge

Fiction | Novel | Adult | Published in 2008

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Book Brief

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Elizabeth Strout

Olive Kitteridge

Fiction | Novel | Adult | Published in 2008
Book Details
Pages

336

Format

Novel • Fiction

Setting

Maine • Late 20th Century

Theme
Publication Year

2008

Audience

Adult

Recommended Reading Age

18+ years

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Super Short Summary

Olive Kitteridge by Elizabeth Strout is an unconventional novel interlinking 13 tales about the people of Crosby, Maine, with the unifying element of titular character Olive Kitteridge, exploring her life, relationships, and how she fits into her community. Themes include love, loss, and the struggles of ordinary life. The book contains discussions of suicide, alcohol use disorder, and eating disorders, and references to self-harm.

Melancholic

Contemplative

Bittersweet

Emotional

Mysterious

Reviews & Readership

4.0

274,126 ratings

69%

Loved it

22%

Mixed feelings

9%

Not a fan

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Review Roundup

Elizabeth Strout's Olive Kitteridge is praised for its rich, complex portrayal of a small-town teacher navigating life’s trials. The compelling character study and nuanced storytelling resonate deeply. However, some readers find the protagonist unlikable and the plot slow. Overall, Strout's vivid prose and emotional depth make it a memorable read.

Who should read this

Who Should Read Olive Kitteridge ?

Readers who enjoy deeply nuanced character studies and New England settings in their fiction will appreciate Elizabeth Strout's Olive Kitteridge. Similar works include Annie Proulx's The Shipping News and Marilynne Robinson's Gilead, which also blend introspective storytelling with rich, evocative locales.

4.0

274,126 ratings

69%

Loved it

22%

Mixed feelings

9%

Not a fan

Book Details
Pages

336

Format

Novel • Fiction

Setting

Maine • Late 20th Century

Theme
Publication Year

2008

Audience

Adult

Recommended Reading Age

18+ years

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