Olive Kitteridge by Elizabeth Strout

More a series of short stories than a novel, this work by Elizabeth Strout uses vignettes to bring to life the town of Crosby, Maine.  Olive Kitteridge is a retired math teacher married to Henry, a retired pharmacist.  Her relationship with her son, Christopher, is complicated.   Olive is a woman of strong opinions who speaks her mind.  Her life has its share of sorrows, as do those of the other townspeople featured in the various chapters.  Though she isn’t always likable, Olive is nonetheless entirely genuine.  Elizabeth Strout has done a remarkable job of bringing Olive to life, while also ably exploring themes of infidelity, suicide, grief, and the possibility of growth.  Not your typical novel, but well worth reading.

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