Olive Kitteridge - a superb read

[yesbutnobut]

Just want to highly recommend this wonderful novel. It won the Pulitzer Prize and was recently made into a mini series but I urge anyone who likes Anne Tyler, Barbara Kingsolver, Alice Hoffman, Margaret Atwood and the like to read this book. When I think I've recently wasted my time on The Miniaturist and other books that are heavily promoted by Waterstones, I just groan. It's made up of chapters each of which tells a different story involving, to a lesser or greater degree, Olive Kitteridge, a former schoolteacher. So beautifully written in a very evocative style. I loved it.

[mmack]

I totally agree-it was excellent. Sad and funny at the same time. I loved the son and the hippy daughter-in-law in New York. I also agree that the heavily promoted books tend to be a disappointment. I waited months to get The Girl on the Train from the library and it was fine as a quick read but I can't see how the hype was justified.

[Sallystyle]

I have this but haven't read it yet. I will read it next.

[Missanneshirley]

Oh glad to read this - I only became aware of it when I watched it on TV and after about 1/2 hr all I could think was - I wish I'd read this first!

[PrincessTheresaofLiechtenstein]

I thought the TV series was fantastic. I had no idea it was a book adaptation . It's going on my wish list!

[yesbutnobut]

I should have said that the author is Elizabeth Strout. I've just bought The Burgess Boys, another of her novels. I really think she writes so well.

I must try to watch the TV series with Frances McDormand - I'm sure she's perfectly cast as Olive.

[marilynmonroe]

I've not read it but adored the TV adaptation. France's mcdormand as incredible.

[JoylessFucker]

Gosh, I was so surprised to read this heading, that I went back and reviewed my notes from when I read this earlier this year. I'd no idea it had been made into a TV series, nor that it was a Pulitzer Prize winner. I found it pretty ordinary tbh, I felt no connection whatsoeverwith any of the characters. The only positive was the format which I found interesting and would consider using in my own writing. I liked it so little I gave it 2 (out of 5) stars and I rarely drop below 3.

Not wanting to rain on anyone's parade in expressing this negative opinion and I hope those who are looking forward to this book do enjoy it, just expressing an alternative viewpoint.

[DameDiazepamTheDramaQueen]

I'm reading it after watching the mini series, fantastic !

[bethshart]

We read this in our book group and all absolutely loved it. Didn't know there was a miniseries of it. Anyone who likes Anne Tyler will love it. Btw, do any of you get annoyed by books that are described by critics or book awards as 'the greatest American novel ever'? We were discussing this yesterday about 'May we be forgiven' by a m holmes, which we all loved and thought was absolutely mad and funny and strange, but could no way rank alongside novels by Philip Roth, Saul Bellow, Anne Tyler, Barbara Kingsolver, Faulkner etc etc - the list is endless.

[yesbutnobut]

Yes I agree bethshart I find there's so much hype around a lot of the new books which is rarely lived up to. That was why it was such a delight to read Olive Kitteridge. I'm also a big Anne Tyler and Barbara Kingsolver fan (really enjoyed Prodigal Summer over Flight Behaviour recently). Am now looking forward to The Paying Guests as Sarah Waters is another favourite author of mine. Hope it doesn't disappoint!