May '09 discussion thread: Olive Kitteridge

[Caryl]

Here is our discussion thread for Olive Kitteridge, our May group read. As always, be cautious of reading the posts below if you haven't finished, as they may contain spoilers.

[iherrera]

I am in the first two chapters and going slowly and a bit confused about the timeline but it might be just me having trouble getting into it.

I usually have a hard time diving into a book during workdays so I hope I'll absorb the topic during the weekend.

[iherrera]

So far, it's taken me a great deal of concentration to read through the stories. I think the stories could have been a bit longer because once I get into one and start loving the characters and the storyline, it ends. I feel somewhat teased.

So far I loved the story of when the son got married and laughed and scolded Olive in my mind for what she did to her new daughter inlaw items. Mothers in law especially one like Olive Kitteridge can be not quite the blessings one hopes to marry in.

[Caryl]

Irina, weren't there some wonderful characters in this book? I liked the way Strout told about Olive in stories, so that we could see different sides of her, see her from many perspectives, but I know what you mean about becoming attached to the characters and then being a little disappointed and missing them when moving into the next story.

I just looked up the book on Wikipedia; look at the huge list of characters!

I lent the book to my mom, so I don't have it here to check, but I think my favorite stories were "Pharmacy" (Henry and Denise were such wonderful characters), "Starving" (because I loved the characters of Daisy and Harmon), the one near the end about Olive visiting her son and his new wife in New York City (was that "Criminal"?), and my absolute favorite was the very last story, "River." I adored the last line of the book; it will be one that sticks with me for a long time.

I'd like to read another book by Elizabeth Strout. Both Amy and Isabelle and Abide with Me look good.

[iherrera]

Originally Posted by Caryl

Irina, weren't there some wonderful characters in this book?
I'd like to read another book by Elizabeth Strout. Both Amy and Isabelle and Abide with Me look good.

Yes indeed there were, I loved Henry of course, so opposite of Olive and Ann the second daughter inlaw. I was hoping throughout the book that Christopher would find happiness and I was glad to see that he did.

River was an unexpected twist to the whole story, who would have seen that one coming especially after the unlikelihood of friendship igniting with Jack.

I would read another book by Elizabeth Strout and I'll add the tittles you suggested to my library list.