Elizabeth Strout’s Olive Kitteridge (Random House) is a masterpiece in describing human behavior. The constant in the book, Olive, storms through people’s lives, concerned, condemning, critical. Those whose lives she touches have a variety of opinions, but most see her as intelligent, fearless and daunting. But no one really knows Olive.
Olive Kitteridge takes a glimpse of thirteen different characters, all with their own unique stories. A few stories touch on a younger Olive, but mostly the characters relate to her later years. In a few quick strokes, the author lays people’s lives bare, their secrets exposed. Olive weaves a binding thread, showing how our life-forces bind us to one another.
Olive’s caustic personality, though often humorous, sometimes made me cringe. She is a person I’d love to know, but I’m not sure I’d have the nerve to maintain a friendship.
Olive Kitteridge is a compelling book, full of surprises.
4 comments:
I've read this book. It is as you've described.
Sounds fascinating. Is it about multiple personalities?
Thank you for your comments, Eunice and Heidi. Olive doesn't have multiple personalities, at least not in the real sense. But she does present many faces and the people who know her each see a different side of her personality.
I read this book as well and I fell in love with the characters. I really identified with every one in a different way. Definitely one of the best books I've ever read...
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