Olive Kitteridge is a patchwork of vignettes about a sharp, uncensored woman whose mercurial moods and inconsistent sensitivities impact (and shape) her husband, son, students, and neighbors in different ways. Winner of the Pulitzer Prize in 2009, Elizabeth Strout crafts her novel in multiple points of view, sometimes catching Olive Kitteridge in nothing more than the peripheral vision of another character. Complicated and flawed, Olive stumbles toward self-discovery as she endures alienation from her son and--in other ways--from her gentle, peace-loving husband.
I am almost at a loss to try to describe the subtlety and skill Strout brought to the story. As unsympathetic as the protagonist often was, I felt wholly absorbed in the mindset, worldview, and emotions of Olive Kitteridge. The tight, limited third-person points of view provided deep, convincing emotional evidence for the authenticity of the entire cast of characters. This character-driven book was haunting, funny, irreverent, sometimes scathing, and ultimately hopeful. It was an appeal for mercy on all of us--limited, stumbling, puffed up, rag-tag-humanity. I felt twisty (amused and sometimes uncomfortable) from Strout's unrelenting emotional precision. (My sisters and I would say the author was "pushing on a bruise"--bringing deep, existing feelings into sharper relief).
The book is not long (a slim 270 pages), and I read it in a single, sleepy afternoon. It will stay with me for much longer. Highly, highly recommended.
Anybody curious about the requirements for the Pulitzer Prize for Fiction? See here.
Want to listen to a muy interesante 7-minute interview with Elizabeth and the (ever-interrupting) Charlie Rose? (Watch him tangle her up with his constant interjections during the "daughter" part). This particular interview is about Strout's debut novel, Amy and Isabelle. Check it.
Q for you: Olive Kitteridge is neither beautiful, nor well-liked, nor charming, nor accomplished. She is not a particularly sacrificial wife or doting mother. Her students, for the most part, are afraid of her. In a word--none of us would want to be her. And yet, I was drawn to her as if by magnetism. Do you have trouble identifying with an "unlikeable" protagonist? Does it depend on your mood?
22 comments:
This is one I simply must get my little paws on! I've heard endless good things about it, and I generally have no problem with a less than sympathetic narrator.
I think it's a testament to Strout's skill as a writer that you can't really help but sympathize with Olive in spite of her many flaws. I think the vignette structure helps in this regard, as well, because you are able to see her from so many different points of view.
In general I don't have a problem with an "unlikeable" protagonist, but I imagine even readers who do would really enjoy this book.
I've heard some people argue that Olive Kitteridge isn't a "novel;" rather, it is a collection of short stories. What do you guys think?
I am currently reading this for my book group (and the Take a Chance challenge). As my friend said, "I didn't like Olive, but I wanted to stay with her longer."
I felt defensive of Olive--I wanted her son to shut his mouth, even though I knew the son was the "healthy" one. I felt like Olive was so realistically and consistently drawn, that it was impossible for her to be anything other than what she was. I know someone like her, and while she can be abrasive, I "get" her and don't expect her to be different. Having said that, I felt like I am her husband Henry in female form, weakling that he was.
Okay, so I have to read this now. I have been hearing about this book for a while.
I am not particularly bothered by an unlikeable protagonist--I think the other characters tend to balance this to a certain extent.
What a wonderful, nuanced review! This is one of the most thoughtful reviews I have ever read, I think.
And thank you for posting that Pulitzer article--I am going to steal it for the Constance Reader facebook page!
Connie! What high praise--considering it came from one of my favorite book bloggresses, Constance Reader. :)
I haven't read this one yet, but think it might be a good one for my book group. As to your question, yes, I do have a hard time relating to an unlikable protagonist. I seem to have to find something redeemable about them, some hint of a hero somewhere. I don't mind flawed, but they must have some redeeming quality. Else, I seem to be outta there!
I loved Olive Kitteridge. You're right, it's a short read, but one that sticks with you.
Even though she's not likeable on the surface, she has a heart! It's the unexpected acts of kindness that mean so much, don't you think?
None of us are perfect...
So true, Allison. I *did* like her, even though I saw how flawed and difficult she was.
I've been seeing this one around, and your review resulted in this one going on the list!
I got Olive Kitteridge recently and I'll be reading it later this year as one of my Pulitzer of the month selections.
I do not have a problem with an unlikeable protagonist. My favorite one ever (Scarlet O'Hara)wasn't all that likeable and neither was Amber St. Clare in Forever Amber. I think its good to mix it up and not always have the characters be perfect.
I will put this book on my "to read" list. Your review makes it sound excellent and the idea of an "unlikeable" protagonist is creative.
I have never read a concise review of this one - I've just been told to read it, you'll like it. Sounds like "they" were right based on your thoughts here - I would like it. Thanks for the nudge. Is pushing the bruise like picking the scab? ;0)
Very much like picking a scab, yes. :)
I tend to have problems with unlikable protagonists but for some reason Olive touched a part of me I didn't realize was there. I love your part of your review where you say "We should not want to be her" and in reality we don't but you can't help be feeling we "should" reach out to her.
I for one really enjoyed this book. Thank you so much for the thoughtful review.
Bobbie
This has been on my tbr list for awhile now. I need to get on it and get it in the house to read.
I adored this book! I don't mind a dislikable protagonist at all, although I did really come around to liking Olive by the end and feeling protective of her (though I'm sure she's hate that.) I am so so so glad it won the Pulitzer as I feel like so many award winners are inaccessible.
Strout just did such a great job of getting inside Olive's head and showing so many sides of her character that I felt like I had a decent idea of where she was coming from. I have never before liked such an unlikeable character, but Olive got me. I wouldn't want to know her in real life though. :-)
Great review--I'm linking your review up on mine.
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