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Olive Kitteridge

Fiction

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Olive Kitteridge

Written by: Elizabeth Strout
Narrated by: Kimberly Farr
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About this listen

WINNER OF THE PULITZER PRIZE • The beloved first novel featuring Olive Kitteridge, from the number one New York Times best-selling author of the Oprah’s Book Club pick Olive, Again

“Fiction lovers, remember this name: Olive Kitteridge.... You’ll never forget her.” (USA Today)

NAMED ONE OF THE BEST BOOK OF THE YEAR BY The Washington Post Book World USA Today San Francisco Chronicle Chicago Tribune Seattle Post-Intelligencer People Entertainment Weekly The Christian Science Monitor The Plain Dealer The Atlantic Rocky Mountain News Library Journal

At times stern, at other times patient, at times perceptive, at other times in sad denial, Olive Kitteridge, a retired schoolteacher, deplores the changes in her little town of Crosby, Maine, and in the world at large, but she doesn’t always recognize the changes in those around her: a lounge musician haunted by a past romance; a former student who has lost the will to live; Olive’s own adult child, who feels tyrannized by her irrational sensitivities; and her husband, Henry, who finds his loyalty to his marriage both a blessing and a curse.

As the townspeople grapple with their problems, mild and dire, Olive is brought to a deeper understanding of herself and her life - sometimes painfully, but always with ruthless honesty. Olive Kitteridge offers profound insights into the human condition - its conflicts, its tragedies and joys, and the endurance it requires.

The inspiration for the Emmy Award-winning HBO miniseries starring Frances McDormand, Richard Jenkins, and Bill Murray

©2008 Elizabeth Strout (P)2019 Random House Audio
Anthologies & Short Stories Fiction Genre Fiction Literary Fiction Psychological Marriage
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What the critics say

Olive Kitteridge still lingers in memory like a treasured photograph.” (Seattle Post-Intelligencer)

“Rarely does a story collection pack such a gutsy emotional punch.” (Entertainment Weekly)

“Strout animates the ordinary with astonishing force.... [She] makes us experience not only the terrors of change but also the terrifying hope that change can bring: she plunges us into these churning waters and we come up gasping for air.” (The New Yorker)

Featured Article: 20 of the Best Strong Fictional Female Lead Characters Who Will Inspire You

From feisty fiery females to women warriors, this list of audiobooks features the best stories and epic tales with strong fictional female lead characters that will inspire you.

What listeners say about Olive Kitteridge

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    3 out of 5 stars
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    3 out of 5 stars

America get your **** together

A country that has everything and continues to wallow in angst and treat others like dirt. Shake your head!

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    4 out of 5 stars
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Boring

I'm having a hard time to enjoy this book to be honest. I'm not sure if is the voice or everything. Is very depressing. I'm reading Olive again at the same time...so far same thing. :/

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2 people found this helpful

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Excellent book!!!

A book that makes you laugh and cry and gives you a deeper understanding and a new perspective of life. What else could you want from a book!! I loved it and can’t wait to listen to the sequel. The narrator is awesome!! Perfect for the material and not irritating in any way!!

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1 person found this helpful

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I love her writing!

I could listen to these storied endlessly. The people are interesting and 3-dimensional. I love this!

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  • Overall
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Excellent just excellent

I loved this book the reader was just fine it's a really good book I found it downright funny in places and sad but very very real

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very insightful

this was an engaging book. loved the characters and Olive made me laugh . woven many stories together very well.

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    5 out of 5 stars
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A modern Peyton Place

The author was able to make me fall in love with the main character through excellent character development and storytelling.

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Warmly human and thoroughly entertaining

A wonderful set of stories with interesting characters and many funny and touching moments. The author has a lovely way with words. I cant wait to read or listen to the next book!

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Great book

I want to go back to the beginning and read it again right away. I love the quirky people.
I love this author too. I’m hopeful she will have many books for me to find.

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Simple yet powerful

I loved this book! How each story holds up a mirror to our own lives, or those of people we know, and how humour and compassion shine through every line. And Ms Garr does a stellar job as narrator. Perfect.

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