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Olive, Again (Oprah's Book Club)
Olive, Again (Oprah's Book Club): A Novel | Elizabeth Strout
126 posts | 138 read | 4 reading | 90 to read
NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER OPRAHS BOOK CLUB PICK Pulitzer Prize winner Elizabeth Strout continues the life of her beloved Olive Kitteridge, a character who has captured the imaginations of millions. Strout managed to make me love this strange woman Id never met, who I knew nothing about. What a terrific writer she is.Zadie Smith, The Guardian Just as wonderful as the original . . . Olive, Again poignantly reminds us that empathy, a requirement for love, helps make life not unhappy.NPR NAMED ONE OF FALLS MOST ANTICIPATED BOOKS BY People Time Entertainment Weekly Vanity Fair BuzzFeed Vogue USA Today The Seattle Times HuffPost Newsday Vulture Bustle Vox PopSugar Good Housekeeping LitHub Book Riot Prickly, wry, resistant to change yet ruthlessly honest and deeply empathetic, Olive Kitteridge is a compelling life force (San Francisco Chronicle). The New Yorker has said that Elizabeth Strout animates the ordinary with an astonishing force, and she has never done so more clearly than in these pages, where the iconic Olive struggles to understand not only herself and her own life but the lives of those around her in the town of Crosby, Maine. Whether with a teenager coming to terms with the loss of her father, a young woman about to give birth during a hilariously inopportune moment, a nurse who confesses a secret high school crush, or a lawyer who struggles with an inheritance she does not want to accept, the unforgettable Olive will continue to startle us, to move us, and to inspire usin Strouts wordsto bear the burden of the mystery with as much grace as we can. Praise for Olive, Again Olive is a brilliant creation not only because of her eternal cantankerousness but because shes as brutally candid with herself about her shortcomings as she is with others. Her honesty makes people strangely willing to confide in her, and the raw power of Ms. Strouts writing comes from these unvarnished exchanges, in which characters reveal themselves in all of their sadness and badness and confusion. . . . The great, terrible mess of living is spilled out across the pages of this moving book. Ms. Strout may not have any answers for it, but she isnt afraid of it either.The Wall Street Journal
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Jas16
Olive, Again | Elizabeth Strout
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Pickpick

There was no way a sequel could compete with my love for Olive Kitteridge but I love Olive so much and was thrilled to be able to spend more time with her. #booked2023 #propernounintitle

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cariashley
Olive, Again | Elizabeth Strout
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Pickpick

I adore Olive and I loved returning to her in this follow up. The poignancy of the writing just did me in. Cheers also to the return of summer poolside reading! 😎

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Chars
Olive, Again | Elizabeth Strout
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Mehso-so

I don‘t even know how Strout manages to talk about typical life in a way that just makes you read on and on without any obvious “hook”. It‘s so subtle, it‘s baffling. The characters are unique, but not particularly so. The story lines are interesting but not gripping. She takes you on a meandering walk through life through the eyes of a woman many other characters in fiction have yet to portray. The book feels both nostalgic and modern somehow.

6 likes1 stack add
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Rissreads
Olive, Again | Elizabeth Strout
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Pickpick

Oh my, my, my, Olive. I miss you already! How I wish I had an Olive in my life! I did not want this to end 💛

BittersweetBooks Completely agree!! The Olive books are some of my all time favorites. And I plan to reread many times. 2y
34 likes1 stack add1 comment
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LeslieO
Olive, Again | Elizabeth Strout
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It official. Unless I go crazy today or tomorrow I have purchased fewer books in February than I read. This hardly ever happens! 🙃 Anyway, #thisweekinnewbooks features one used book and one kindle bargain.

LeahBergen 😆😆 Good job! 2y
LeslieO @LeahBergen The struggle is real! 🤪 2y
45 likes2 comments
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CindiB
Olive, Again | Elizabeth Strout
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@TheAromaofBooks - time to shake things up again! 😱🎉

TheAromaofBooks Woohoo!! 3y
51 likes1 comment
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TheEllieMo
Olive, Again | Elizabeth Strout
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I am posting one book per day from my extensive to-be-read collection. No description and providing no reason for wanting to read it, I just do. Some will be old, some will be new. Don‘t judge me - I have a lot of books. Join the fun if you want.
This is day 212
#BooksToRead #TBRPile #TBRMountain

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Peaceful_Reader
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Pickpick

Curmudgeon Olive discovers a whole new life after her husband dies but she‘s still cranky! Told through a community of characters this book emphasis the connections we make as humans

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KarinWestbrook
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Pickpick

Elizabeth Strout has written a book, that touches on characters and themes that I am not sure I have read before with such poignancy and compassion. Strout has interwoven characters who are in the twilight of their lives, and we walk through this experience with them; at times funny, sorrowful, and plaintive.

This book stirred something in me... and I took a moment to reflect. Isn't that what a great book does, cause introspection?

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KarinWestbrook
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This passage spoke to me... I‘ve always said this, and have known it in my heart that someday this will be me. Waiting for the boys to come and visit their sad lonely mother.

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KarinWestbrook
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“What frightened him was how much of his life he had lived without knowing who he was or what he was doing... he sensed that he had lived his life in a way that he had not known. This meant there had been a huge blind spot directly in front of his eyes.” Such an interesting idea to ponder.

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ATB
Olive, Again | Elizabeth Strout
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Late post for #24in4 but I did it.

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ATB
Olive, Again | Elizabeth Strout
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Didn‘t get very far even having the whole of Friday off work. Did finish Queenie. #24in4

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Peaceful_Reader
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Olive is a cantankerous older woman who struggles with her relationship with her own adult son and daughter-in-law yet also can be kind to complete strangers and community members who are struggling. She visits a friend in a nursing home weekly and begins to visit a young woman with a terminal disease. She‘s often not an easy character.

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bekakins
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Pickpick

Amazing. I enjoyed this even more than Olive Kitteridge. Now I need to get round to watching the TV series!

Pic of my #bookspinbingo board for May!

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Bookwormjillk
Olive, Again | Elizabeth Strout
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Pickpick

I really love Olive and all her complexities, so I was really happy to get an update on her. What a great character.

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Allthebookclubs
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Pickpick

So, I didn‘t realize until almost the end that this was a sequel. 🤦🏼‍♀️ I didn‘t like most of the book, it seemed very choppy and barely connected the characters. But I did like Olive in the end. Not sure if I‘ll go back and read the first book yet. Book 6 of 2021

lynneamch Agree. I like her writing, but prefer a story where characters are more connected and there is an overarching thread. Really enjoyed and learned from this other one 3y
5 likes1 comment
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thebluestocking
Olive, Again | Elizabeth Strout
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I haven‘t been posting much and I‘m a little late, but I wanted to document and share what I read in January. Olive, Again was my clear favorite. 💙

#januarywrapup #januaryreads #monthlywrapup

Reggie So you haven‘t read the TOB long list yet? 😉 3y
Buechersuechtling I‘m looking forward to receiving the German paperback edition of “Olive, again” on March, 8th. 😁 Almost can‘t wait to see how her story continues. 3y
BarbaraBB Hi Jessica, missing your posts. I hope all is well 🤍 3y
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Karmapen
Olive, Again | Elizabeth Strout
Pickpick

I read Olive Kitteredge years ago, but I still thought about it every so often, so it was delightful to read this sequel(ish).

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hwestfall
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Mehso-so

This is probably an unpopular opinion but I feel meh about this one 😬

Allthebookclubs I‘m almost done and I agree, but I also just found out tonight that it‘s a sequel. I‘m not sure if I‘ll go back and read the first book, I just don‘t feel connected to any of the characters. 3y
9 likes1 comment
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Julz422
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Mehso-so

There were parts where this book really soared, but parts where it lost me in its characters that I was to be invested in but wouldn‘t be carried throughout. I did ache for the main character and the way she was painted in the end.

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Julz422
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New book!

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OriginalCyn620
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Pickpick

Enjoyed this quite a bit! Olive is such a great character, and through interconnecting stories, we get to see her through the eyes of other characters. Here, Olive is getting older, and much of the book had to do with her reflecting back on her life. Strout‘s writing is wonderful!

#bookspinbingo

#booked2020 #eccentricmc

TheAromaofBooks Woohoo!! 4y
Cinfhen I LOVED this book!! Olive might be one of my favorite characters EVER, although I know we wouldn‘t get on in real life 🙄she‘s too judgmental but I love her no BS attitude 4y
48 likes2 comments
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Cortg
Olive, Again | Elizabeth Strout
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More books for my physical TBR pile. The top 3 I lent to my mom and she finished, the bottom 2 I found in her community Little Free Library. I can‘t read fast enough! #TBRCrew @jessinikkip @jb73 @AkashaVampie @AsYouWish @AnansiGirl @ElizaMarie @Catherine_Willoughby @MissAimz_55 @Squidgwet @Bookworm54 @katy4peas

AsYouWish I bought The Tattooist of Auschwitz for my mom because she really wanted to read it, but when it came she looked at it and thought it might be too sad. I don‘t think she looked it up before asking me to get it, lol!!! 4y
Bookworm54 The tattooist of auschwitz is on my physical tbr too. I was gifted it one christmas, but haven‘t made it there yet! 4y
Cortg @AsYouWish @bookworm54 My mom‘s go to books are WWII books for some reason, so I picked them up for her to read figuring I‘ll get to them at some point. I try to read what she reads so I can chat with her about it since I don‘t watch Tv and she‘s always talking about some show she‘s watching. (edited) 4y
42 likes3 comments
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CarolynM
Olive, Again | Elizabeth Strout
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Pickpick

So much of the discussion of this book focusses on Olive, and she is such a vivid, fully realised character that's not surprising. But I think I liked the stories of the other people here even more than Olive's stories. Elizabeth Strout does a marvellous job of reminding us that elderly people experience all the same emotions as the young and are every bit as worthy of our interest. I've achieved a #BookspinBingo if I use this for a free space🙂

Tanisha_A Fab review! You have got me eager to pick this up quick. I loved reading Olive Kitteridge. 4y
BarbaraBB I keep stacking and unstacking this book. Your review makes me stack it again 💕 4y
TheAromaofBooks Yay bingo!! 4y
See All 6 Comments
Blaire @Tanisha_A @barbarabb I loved olive kitterredge and I liked this one even more I think. 4y
kspenmoll Great review! 4y
Jeg Glad you liked it. I‘m looking forward to reading some of her other books. I just loved both the Olive books. 4y
71 likes6 comments
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CarolynM
Olive, Again | Elizabeth Strout
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Enjoyed hearing Elizabeth Strout talking about Olive Again and about her writing practice at the Melbourne Writers' Festival tonight.

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Cathy_J
Olive, Again | Elizabeth Strout
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Pickpick

What a character Olive Kitteridge is! 💛 I started reading this and decided to pause and watch the mini series to remind myself about the first book. Frances McDormand was excellent and it was lovely to then have the story continue. I love the way the chapters weave through the town and its inhabitants and you get to build a more complete picture. Elizabeth Strout seems to really understand human nature and writes with such compassion. ⭐⭐⭐⭐

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Jeg
Olive, Again | Elizabeth Strout
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Pickpick

Finished in time for book club tomorrow night. Delightful. Don‘t expect I shall meet Olive again. I will miss her.
Love that it‘s written about a part of the US that I do know. So many of the characters remind me of my New England relatives. Just love Elizabeth Strout‘s writing. Looking forward to discussion.
@MrsMalaprop
#2020joybooks

Suet624 I really liked this one. This author is a must read for me. 4y
21 likes1 comment
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MrsMalaprop
Olive, Again | Elizabeth Strout
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Pickpick

Why did I not read this the moment it came out? Love, love, loved it. I look forward to our Monday night book club discussion.

AmyG So good 4y
BittersweetBooks I felt the same way, one of my all time favorites. Just want to read it all over again! ❤️ 4y
33 likes1 stack add2 comments
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MrsMalaprop
Olive, Again | Elizabeth Strout
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Do you think Olive would approve? 🍸📖 #friyay #cheers 😆

Julsmarshall Cheers! 🍸 4y
JennyM Most definitely 😉 🥂 4y
LeahBergen Well, I approve! 😆 4y
46 likes3 comments
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MrsMalaprop
Olive, Again | Elizabeth Strout
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When 83yo Olive has her first visit from healthcare aide Betty. 😆

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MrsMalaprop
Olive, Again | Elizabeth Strout
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Suzanne, pondering the existence of something greater, decides that our job or maybe even our duty is
“To bear the burden of the mystery with as much grace as we can.”

Loving this book ❤️. #currentlyreading

JennyM Olive ❤️❤️❤️ 4y
37 likes1 comment
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MrsMalaprop
Olive, Again | Elizabeth Strout
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36 pages in and loving it. Oh, how I‘ve missed you Olive 🥰. #currentlyreading #bookclubread

Jeg Michelle said much the same. She was in love after the first page. Looking forward to reading it. 4y
43 likes1 comment
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Blaire
Olive, Again | Elizabeth Strout
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Pickpick

I loved this book so much. Olive is such a fully realized character and I loved her even more in this book than the first. Explores love later in life, parent-child relationships, and all the turns life can take. I laughed and cried and I was also so happy to find a character from another Strout novel appear. She continues to be one of my go-to authors.

Tanisha_A I loved Olive Kitteridge, looking forward to read this one. Nice review. 🙂 4y
Cathythoughts I must read one. I‘ve only ever seen the tv show .... and loved it 4y
Blaire @Cathythoughts @tanisha_a it was just so good. You would both love it. I think I liked it even more than the first. I love books that really get the complexity of people and just tell their stories. 4y
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NovelNancyM
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“And then he thought: How does one live an honest life?“ As Olive Kitteridge ages, she gains much wisdom while also staying true to herself. This is an absolutely delightful read!

NovelNancyM Another favorite quote“ “'When you get old,' Olive told Andrea after the girl had walked away, 'you become invisible. It's just the truth. And yet it's freeing in a way'“ (204).
As a newly retiree as 60, this quote resonated with me!
4y
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vlwelser
Olive, Again | Elizabeth Strout
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Pickpick

I actually liked this a whole lot more than the original. I don't know if I warmed up to Olive or if the writing got better. There is one chapter, "Light" that I thought was truly outstanding. This was the June pick for my IRL #bookclub.

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mcctrish
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Pickpick

I was so happy to realize that Olive Kitteridge‘s story continued and I loved this book as much as the first. Olive is a gem.

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mcctrish
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I walked to my closest Starbucks today and had a strawberry açai on the patio with my 2 girlfriends! It was so normal and lovely. I got my #litsybitsy on for the walk ( it‘s 3 km return) and I‘ve done a lot of lazing and reading and animal crossing all afternoon

Cuilin Sounds delightful 🚶🏼‍♀️👍 4y
mcctrish @Cuilin it felt like summer 4y
40 likes2 comments
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Samwise_Gamgee
Olive, Again | Elizabeth Strout
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I really enjoyed these books. Has anyone watched the Miniseries? How did it measure up?

ItsAnotherJen Oooh..I did not realize it was a series! Is it on hulu? Just finishing up watching Sweet Magnolias so I needed something else to watch. 4y
ItsAnotherJen I guess it's only HBO. Shoot. 4y
Samwise_Gamgee @ItsAnotherJen yeah it was on hbo a few years back. Might have to check out HBOMax for this. 4y
Jinjer Both books are great and Frances McDormand is the Perfect Olive. Watch it if you can!!! 4y
25 likes4 comments
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LaLove
Pickpick

The writing in this book is so beautiful.

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mcctrish
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Audio grocery pick up 💪🏻👏🏻

Tracyantoon Solid work! 😎🙌 4y
32 likes1 comment
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mcctrish
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My audio hold came in 🎉2 weeks early and right after I finished Little Fires Everywhere #perfecttiming so I #litsybitsy ‘d myself on my usual route to listen to Olive, again ❤️

Cuilin 🚶🏼‍♀️👍 not able to walk due to foot issue. Hopefully soon. Glad you got out. 4y
mcctrish @Cuilin oh I hope it gets better soon 4y
35 likes2 comments
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Nitpickyabouttrains
Olive, Again | Elizabeth Strout
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Pickpick

More stories about olive kitterage and her town.

19 likes2 stack adds
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Gadgetgirl71
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I haven‘t read the first book Olive Kitteridge, from the synopsis it seemed as though it really didn‘t matter as this book would also stand alone. The only problems for me was that I just couldn‘t get in to this book at all. Even though the synopsis for this book really interested me, as a book I would enjoy to read. I really really struggles with it.
I only manage to read 11 percent of this book. My Rating: 1 ⭐

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rachaich
Olive, Again | Elizabeth Strout
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Pickpick

Oh, How I adored this.
The writing, the gentleness, the landscape, Olive.
And that she'd brought in characters from other novels.
Beautiful.

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MelKelsey
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Pickpick

Book 45 Written 11 years later, Olive, Again, is a well-done sequel to Olive Kitteridge. Many of the same characters, transitory point-of-view, and complicated relationships, I found myself thinking about the characters and story as if they were real. Aging continues to be a theme, and these books are the only that have enabled me to adopt the perspective of a person that is elderly. I hope more Olive books are to come! 4.5 stars