Sunday 9 October 2016

book sixty-seven: Olive Kitteridge

Our last book for 2016 is the 2009 Pulitzer Prize-winning Olive Kitteridge by reformed lawyer Elizabeth Strout.

The short stories that make up this book were made into a television miniseries by HBO, available in Australia to stream on Presto or purchase on iTunes or you could go old-skool and get the DVDs.  The TV show won eight Emmy awards.  Of course, being a bookclub and not a TV club - read the book before you watch it!

We met at Monika's place.

Mari will bring the shortlist.

Ratings (out of 17):

Monica - 15 liked unconventional novel style, interlinking characters. Liked Olive, a bit different. Found interesting enough to go to another book of same author. Am finding more about Olive in second book.

Mari - 10 didn't dislike but didn't read enough to really like it. Too slow, didn't grab me. Too loosely woven.  Meet one character and then they're gone.

Terri 8 - that's it.

Maree 15 - really enjoyed it. I finished it.  I liked that it wasn't neatly pulled together and the characters made a lot of sense to me. Maybe a lot not likeable about Olive but it seemed true to life. Especially re mental health issues.

Leigha 14 - could recognise a lot in Olive from a close relative who is a retired teacher. Some characters didn't add value which bothered her a bit. Expected them to return, but they didn't. Quite enjoyed major characters.

Wendy 


Johanna 13 but being generous.  Easy and enjoyable but not life changing.  Ploughed through happily enough; did not offend.  Liked the small story format.  Interesting characters.


Average: 12.5

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