WINNER OF THE PULITZER PRIZE • The beloved first novel featuring Olive Kitteridge, from the #1 New York Times bestselling author of My Name is Lucy Barton and the Oprah’s Book Club pick Olive, Again “Fiction lovers, remember this name: Olive Kitteridge. . . . You’ll never forget her.”—USA Today “Strout animates the ordinary with astonishing force.”—The New Yorker One of the New York Times’s 100 Best Books of the 21st Century A BEST BOOK OF THE YEAR: 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
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About the author
Elizabeth Strout
Author
Elizabeth Strout is an American novelist and author. She is widely known for her works in literary fiction and her descriptive characterization. She was born and raised in Portland, Maine, and her experiences in her youth served as inspiration for her novels—the fictional "Shirley Falls, Maine" is the setting of four of her ten novels.
Olive Kitteridge
by Elizabeth Strout
Books Like Olive Kitteridge
If you're looking for books similar to Olive Kitteridge, here are some recommendations based on themes, tone, and narrative style.
Cutting for Stone
Abraham Verghese
A rich, emotionally complex novel about family, identity, and personal transformation. Set in Ethiopia, the story follows twin brothers navigating medical careers and personal challenges. Similar to Olive Kitteridge, the book offers deep psychological insights into characters' inner worlds. It explores themes of love, loss, and personal resilience with remarkable depth and compassion.
The Heart's Invisible Furies
John Boyne
A sweeping novel about personal identity, social change, and individual resilience. Like Olive Kitteridge, it offers deep psychological insights into characters' inner worlds. The narrative follows a protagonist navigating complex personal and social challenges. The book is both emotionally profound and historically rich.
My Name is Lucy Barton
Elizabeth Strout
Another powerful character study by Strout exploring complex family dynamics and personal introspection. The novel follows Lucy Barton's reflections on her challenging childhood and complicated relationship with her mother. Like Olive Kitteridge, it delves deep into human emotions and the nuanced inner lives of ordinary people. The narrative is intimate, contemplative, and reveals profound truths about human connections and personal growth.
The Sense of an Ending
Julian Barnes
A reflective novel about memory, aging, and personal understanding. The protagonist revisits his past, uncovering hidden truths and reinterpreting earlier experiences. Like Olive Kitteridge, it offers a profound exploration of personal history and self-perception. The narrative is introspective, nuanced, and emotionally intelligent.
Crossing to Safety
Wallace Stegner
A profound exploration of friendship, marriage, and personal growth over decades. Similar to Olive Kitteridge, it offers nuanced insights into human relationships and personal transformation. The narrative is deeply reflective and emotionally intelligent. The book reveals the complexities of long-term relationships with remarkable sensitivity.
Olive, Again
Elizabeth Strout
The direct sequel to Olive Kitteridge, continuing the protagonist's journey of personal growth and understanding. The novel offers further insights into Olive's complex character and her relationships. Like its predecessor, it explores themes of aging, family, and personal transformation. The narrative is compassionate and deeply introspective.
Gilead
Marilynne Robinson
A contemplative novel about an aging pastor reflecting on his life and family history. The narrative is introspective and beautifully written, much like Strout's style. It explores themes of mortality, faith, and personal reflection with profound emotional intelligence. The book offers a nuanced examination of human relationships and inner spiritual landscapes.
Plainsong
Kent Haruf
A quiet, powerful novel set in a small rural community, exploring interconnected lives with remarkable sensitivity. Similar to Olive Kitteridge, it offers a nuanced portrayal of ordinary people facing extraordinary emotional challenges. The characters are deeply human, flawed, and compassionately rendered. The narrative reveals the beauty and complexity of small-town life.
Housekeeping
Marilynne Robinson
A lyrical novel about two sisters navigating loss and personal identity. Similar to Olive Kitteridge, it offers a nuanced exploration of human emotions and personal growth. The narrative is introspective and beautifully written, revealing deep psychological insights. The book explores themes of belonging, family, and personal transformation.
The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry
Rachel Joyce
A poignant story about an ordinary man's transformative journey of self-discovery. Like Olive Kitteridge, it explores personal growth and the complexities of human relationships. The protagonist embarks on a physical and emotional journey that reveals deep insights about life, connection, and personal redemption. The narrative is both tender and profound.
The Women in the Castle
Jessica Shattuck
A powerful story about women surviving in post-World War II Germany, exploring resilience and personal transformation. Like Olive Kitteridge, it offers deep psychological insights into characters' inner worlds. The narrative reveals complex emotional landscapes and the strength of human connections. The book is both historically rich and emotionally profound.
The Burgess Boys
Elizabeth Strout
Another compelling novel by Strout exploring family dynamics and personal challenges. The story follows two brothers confronting their shared past and complex family history. Like Olive Kitteridge, it offers deep psychological insights into characters' inner worlds. The narrative is compassionate and reveals profound truths about human relationships.
A Spool of Blue Thread
Anne Tyler
A multi-generational family saga exploring personal histories and relationships. Similar to Olive Kitteridge, it offers nuanced insights into family dynamics and personal growth. The narrative reveals the complexities of human connections with remarkable sensitivity. The book is both emotionally rich and psychologically profound.
Ladder of Years
Anne Tyler
A novel about a woman who unexpectedly leaves her family and starts a new life. Similar to Olive Kitteridge, it explores personal transformation and the complexities of family dynamics. The protagonist seeks self-understanding and independence, revealing deep emotional landscapes. The narrative is both compassionate and insightful.
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