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Olive Kitteridge

By: Elizabeth Strout
Narrated by: Kimberly Farr
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Publisher's Summary

WINNER OF THE PULITZER PRIZE • The beloved first novel featuring Olive Kitteridge, from the number one New York Times best-selling author of the Oprah’s Book Club pick Olive, Again

“Fiction lovers, remember this name: Olive Kitteridge.... You’ll never forget her.” (USA Today)

NAMED ONE OF THE BEST BOOK OF THE YEAR BY 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

©2008 Elizabeth Strout (P)2019 Random House Audio

Critic Reviews

Olive Kitteridge still lingers in memory like a treasured photograph.” (Seattle Post-Intelligencer)

“Rarely does a story collection pack such a gutsy emotional punch.” (Entertainment Weekly)

“Strout animates the ordinary with astonishing force.... [She] makes us experience not only the terrors of change but also the terrifying hope that change can bring: she plunges us into these churning waters and we come up gasping for air.” (The New Yorker)

What listeners say about Olive Kitteridge

Average Customer Ratings
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  • Overall
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    4 out of 5 stars

I know a woman just like Olive!

I had to read this because it was a Pulitzer Prize winner. Being about the same age that I am now I could relate to her frustrations people feel being in a their 70’s. I took have given up on what we may change and am trying to enjoy what we still have:


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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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I loved this

A tender examination of a life, interconnecting with others, and regrets. Beautiful and thoughtful attention to detail that leaves just enough unsaid. A book to be savoured and reflected upon.

I miss Olive now I have finished.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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A book to read over and over again

Olive is both awful and wonderful, often at the same time. She is a character both recognisable and unique. There is such wisdom in these vignettes of ordinary lives, quietly lived. I ended the book feeling deeply moved, and with just a little more understanding of others and the lives we all lead. A wonderful book.

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1 person found this helpful

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    3 out of 5 stars
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Recommended to me

Great. The print version was recommended to me, but I listened to the audio version while gardening. Enjoyed the story and Narrator. How a person appears to others, isn't always what the person is like or feeling. This can be lifelong as people learn about themselves. Looking forward to listening to the sequel.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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loved it

Fabulous character, story and narration. So pleased to have discovered Elizabeth Strout. Am working my way through all her works.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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Getting to know Olive

Elizabeth Strout has created a thoroughly believable and flawed character whom one comes to love throughout this performance.
I loved every moment of this ‘listen’ and unlike some of the books in my library, it will stay with me.
I thoroughly recommend !

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  • Overall
    3 out of 5 stars
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I was bored

I really don't know what I think. I am always perplexed when I read a book that comes so highly recommended, I keep wondering if I missed something everyone else got. It was okay but nothing that would stay with me. Well written just not very interesting.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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Very powerful

I am in my 30ies and I enjoyed it tremendously.
The performance was excellent. Though lots of people found it depressing, I think it is still life-asserting.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

uncomfortable honesty...

our heroine can be most judgemental harridan imaginable, but you cannot but love her. sublime

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  • Overall
    3 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars
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    3 out of 5 stars

Not quite sure what the fuss is all about

It makes sense that this was released as a serial of short stories. It was quite hard to keep up with all the characters and to feel a connection to them. Some good characters/stories though I wish were returned to. I’ve heard the literary gravitas is impressive so perhaps this is a book better read

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