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Book Review of Olive Kitteridge

Olive Kitteridge
Judyh avatar reviewed on + 229 more book reviews


This took me forever to read because it was an audiobook that I kept forgetting to turn on. I found it, at times, tedious, and wondered where it was headed, but looking back at the entirety I will say I mostly enjoyed it and am glad I read it. I liked the way it ended as well. Olive was not so very likeable and not so very happy, but I think much of the point is that none of us is 100% different from her. We're giving, helpful, cheerful, stingy, grumpy, and illogical. Sometimes we aren't sure why we feel or act a certain way or why other people do. Our kids are loved, enjoyed, and tolerated, and sometimes we don't enjoy them at all (and back at us from them). Most people I know seem more likeable and less unhappy than Olive, but she did learn some things along the way. I don't generally enjoy reading stories about people who are so unhappy. Recent characters I felt that way about are Eleanor Oliphant and Britt-Marie. But overall I'm glad I read those books and this one also.