Elizabeth Strout is an acclaimed American writer, best known for her Lucy Barton books and Olive Kitteridge novels. I have many of her books, which have been recommended to me by friends and fellow book bloggers, and they have appeared on many longlists of literary prizes. Yet somehow I have never read them.
It begins with 'Pharmacy', focussed on Henry Kitteridge, and his shop in the fictional New England town of Crosby. Henry hires a young assistant, Denise Thibodeau, whom his wife describes as 'mousy'. Henry thrives in the simplicities of his daily life, meeting townsfolk and serving customers alongside Denise. At home however, his wife Olive is domineering. A math teacher at the local junior high school and volunteer in the community, Olive can be curt and cold.
The following stories about other townsfolk give glimpses of Olive at a funeral reception, at church, or in town, In other stories Olive has a starring role, visiting her son or spending time with Henry at the nursing home. We learn how she once fell for another married teacher, about her strained relationship with her son, and about Henry's ill health.
In Olive, Elizabeth Strout has created a wonderful character. Opinionated, stubborn and gruff, Olive could be unlikable. But below the surface she has wells of empathy and a desire to for love. Her strained relationship with her son is heartbreaking, especially as Henry's health deteriorates and she has to do more on her own. Olive also has a delightful turn of phrase, not shy about expressing her feelings. Olive is the cranky neighbour you avoid, but if you got to know her you would realise she is merely lonely and in need of connection.
What Strout does so well is show how ordinary people deal with their daily lives. She realistically presents each character's thoughts and feelings and gives the reader a sense of place. It made me think a lot about loneliness, relationships and aging. I also found myself wanting to know what happened to characters in each story. Did Angela from 'The Piano Player' find happiness? What did Kevin Coulson do after his conversation with Olive in 'Incoming Tide'? Did Marlene ever travel to a destination in her 'Basket of Trips'?
I am so glad to have read Olive Kitteridge and delighted that I have a full catalogue of Elizabeth Strout books to explore.
Olive Kitteridge has been made into a mini-series by HBO in 2014 starring Frances McDormand as Olive, Richard Jenkins as her husband Henry. Now that I have read this book, I will seek out the series.