Olive Kitteridge: Fiction Audiobook

" A book that reminds us that our life is impacted by others and we impact those we come in contact with. "

" What an interesting book and a great read. The characters were unique and sad and funny. Engaged intellect and emotions. "

" Amazing story....unforgettable primary character. I'll be thinking about Olive for years...Elizabeth Strout has written a real gem here and deserves the Pulitzer that she won for this book. Highly recommend! "

" This book was OK, but I was hoping for a little more. It didn't always hold my interest. "

" Reread this book and loved it just as much as my first reading. Beautiful, quiet prose with an amazing attention to detail. "

" I didn't think I would like it but I really did. Some of the stories made me cry and this book definitely made me think and feel beyond a typical set of short stories. "

" Depressing. Couldn't finish it. Bummed me out so I almost threw it away. "

" So beautifully written and the most honest characters I've met in a long time. LOVE this book! "

" Something that I wouldn't normally read, it is a series of portraits and vignettes colored by pathos, humor, and a grudging sense of kindness. The world as seen through the eyes of Olive Kitteridge. "

" Depressing. And not good. I read The Casual Vacancy by J.K. Rowling before this and that was depressing too. But it was also good. Maybe I missed something, but I didn't really see the point of this book. I would not recommend it to anyone. I'm surprised I even finished it. "

" An interesting pick for an award winning book. I enjoyed the writing style, and would recommend the book. The characters' lives are melancholy with Olive's terrible social skills and failures in all relationships the most depressing. I did recognize people that I have known in my life and if nothing else the piece teaches us how not to be with others. "

" I will never forget Olive Kitteridge - the book, yes, but the main character, definitely! She is as real to me as my best friend. She breathes, laughs, curses, and says all the things "you" wish you could say! She is complex, unpredictable, and perfect! "

" This book was far too sad to garner more than 3 stars. And it was a good book. "

" A good, quiet book. It was interesting to see the character of Olive illuminated across different stories about other characters in her town. "

" Fast read. Liked the format and the characters. the scenarios are very real and very raw....at least to me. "

" I like her writing style. And the development of the characters. But I wish there was more interaction between the characters. I feel like I was left hanging from chapter to chapter. "

" I truly enjoyed each chapter/short story within the covers of this book. It took me too long to finish. Life got in the way. I think Olive is either my mother or a very close relative. Great way to spend a quiet Sunday morning. "

" Quite depressing, but a good story. "

" This is not your typical novel and it is certainly not a fluff read...each story within the story gave me something to think about; haunting is the one word I would use to describe this novel....these characters are the ones who you revisit in your mind over and over again.... "

" Absolutely loved this novel Olive whow "

" Interesting character studies. A group of short stories linked together by several main characters. I enjoyed the book and would recommend it. "

" Very good book. Made me think about my life and how I want to live. "

" I always read Elizabeth Strout. This book is the story of Olive's old age told in vignettes by those who knew her. Realistic, insightful writing. "

" One of the best books I've read in years. I found it profoundly moving. "

" Interesting link of stories of the townspeople to the main character who both inspired sympathy as well as contempt. "

" I will never forget Olive Kitteridge - the book, yes, but the main character, definitely! She is as real to me as my best friend. She breathes, laughs, curses, and says all the things "you" wish you could say! She is complex, unpredictable, and perfect! "

" Loved this! the characters are interesting and strong "

" Third star trulyt because I loved henry. otherwise, not a fan of a single character or of hoer the stories sort of, almost intersperse, but not really. Olive herself is a vile, nasty main character and I found myself saying repeatedly that I don't care about her, so why am I reading?! "

" She is a great writer but I did find this book a bit of a slog, mainly because there isn't a strong narrative thread. It was almost like linked short stories. "

" Amazing. There is a little bit of Olive in each of us and Strout describes the human condition with humour and compassion. This book makes you think. "

" Great book layered with multiple stories, both bittersweet and inspirational. "

" enjoyed, but hard to get into at times. liked the ending "

" This was a collection of short vignettes of characters in a small Maine town, with Olive Kitteridge as the character who threads through the whole book. I really enjoyed the writing style and I found myself responding to the characters' lives with sympathy and empathy. Overall excellent book! "

" I really enjoyed this story, and I wanted to give this book four stars the whole time I was reading it . . . until the end!! I wanted a little more; I needed all the ends tied together. "

" So beautifully written and the most honest characters I've met in a long time. LOVE this book! "

" not finishing this. Im having to read the same paragraphs over and over. "

" Really 4.5 . I read this book in 2009(?) and still think about it occasionally. One reviewer aptly likened it to a photo album. In some photos Olive is the main subject, in some she is a blur walking past but all add up to a full portrait. It is one of my favorite books and deserves a reread. "

" WONDERFUL!!!! 1 OF THE BEST BOOKS I EVER READ! IT'S SHORT STORIES AND THERE ARE NO NEAT, TIDY ENDINGS BUT WHAT A FABULOUSLY WRITTEN BOOK! "

" My favorite short story collection ever--usually, I'm more of a novel person, but this one had me just turning the pages, completely hooked. I love how human the characters are. I love them, period. "

" Gorgeous writing! The characters of this Maine town are such a visceral experience through this author's deft hand. A brilliant character study. "

" Dark stories but true enough. Believable; although I have to hope that getting older is better than that. I gave it three stars because it did have some humor and she wrote well enough to keep me engaged. "

" Oh Olive, you broke my heart. Such characters. The structure with very little character intersection was something I hadn't come across before. Olive as the one link was a unique devise. Still, my jury is out. She is a tough character to love. "

" I listened to the audio book and couldn't make it past the first CD. Maybe it was just the person reading it, but I felt like I was listening to On Golden Pond without the sense of humor. "

" Found this book in the lending library at Camp.... depressing in a way, but made me chuckle multiple times. I was hooked after the 2nd chapter. Perhaps it made me uncomfortable, wondering if there is some "Olive" in my parenting of my only child. Jeez, let's hope not too much! "

" Profiles of various people all revolving around Olive. Sometimes she is a sentence or two, sometimes the whole chapter. Good writing, but a Pulitzer winner? "

" Superb read. I highly recommend. I'm wordless when it comes to Strout. Simply waiting for her next novel with bated breath. "

" i kind of want to give it one. Couldn't stand any of the characters. "

" Spectacular collection of short stories ... Some more engrossing than others all centered around a cranky New England woman. Loved it! "

" Thought-provoking. This is a novel in stories. We are shown Olive through the perspective of her own and other people's lives. So thought-provoking that I'm on my second time through. "

" Some of the stories seemed kind of pointless, but others were quite gripping. Olive becomes a much more sympathetic character as the book progresses. "

" While the book is well written, I felt the stories were a little disjointed. I couldn't really connect with the main character. "

" Stayed with me, Olive Kitteredge is a wonderful character. Some truths about life. Worth reading. "

" Was good - somewhat somber with strong psychological themes. Olive Kitteridge is definitely an interesting character! "

" This is great story telling. Felt very true to a small New England town and it's characters. I appreciated it more the second read after hearing from my book club and their intelligent insights. "

" Loved this book. The author delves into the hidden thoughts and emotions of life that are present and often not talked about. Insightful, well written. "

" I had a hard time getting into the story as I kept wondering what I was missing. If it wouldn't have been a Pulitzer winner, I am not sure I would hae finished it. Still thinking that I may read it again to see what I missed. "

" Loved. LOVED. Am sad it's over. "

" Not good, not bad, just whatever. Time filler "

" Really well-written stories. Really depressing though. "

" If this is what's getting the Pulitzer nowadays, I'm sticking to the Nobels. "

" This book was slow at times but eventually picked up the pace about half way through. Overall I enjoyed the read and found Olive to be a strange and sad personality. "

" It was pretty good... I liked the concept of one character connecting a bunch of short stories into one cohesive book. Not the best book I ever read, but it was fun. "

" Beautifully written but very depressing. Not something to read if you want a positive view of life. I commend the author's concept of having these short stories tied together through the main character of Olive. However, this book left me emotionally tired. "

" Didn't get it. I think you have to be from Maine to appreciate this one. "

" Somber yet compelling. She beautifully weaves together the lives of a small town community. "

" Thought provoking, life changing, sad-a great testimony to the human condition. Loved it. "

" You didn't always love olive, but I loved this book. Great characters, intertwined plots. "

" Not that exciting, but good lessons for Olive. "

" I don't remember much about this book, except that it was OK. It was not horrible; it was not my favorite. "

" This books main character was tough to like, but the book made you see things that she didn't even see about herself. At times I kept thinking, "this is going to be very depressing", but there are some great, funny moments and the ending is great and show hope in a new light. "

" Fabulous book. Great insight into the human mind and heart. It can be hard to realize that you have to love yourself for who you are. You are doing your best. "

" Olive Kitteridge, Gilead & Out Stealing Horses are really preparing me for getting older. "

" Not a big fan. I can't really get into books that are depressing without any sense of redemption. I realize that includes a lot of books! I gave it two stars because the writing is good, and I was interested enough in the stories to read the whole thing. But I regret it, so 1.5. :) "