I had read many good things about Olive Kitteridge around the blogging world (please forgive me if you have written one of the reviews that tempted me to read this one - I cannot remember all of them now!) so when I saw a copy available at my library I grabbed it.
Olive Kitteridge is a book made up of 13 short stories all interconnected in some way by the character of Olive herself or the community in which she lives in small-town Maine.
Not that I am in any ways an expert in the awarding of literature prizes but it does not surprise me that this book was the winner of the 2009 Pulitzer Prize - it is an amazing collection of stories - each one simple in construct but complex in emotion and character development.
As the book begins we hear from Olive's husband, Henry, about what his life is like living with such a strong-willed woman as Olive. I didn't exactly warm to Olive to begin with - she makes it tough for people to like her but it is clear that Henry loves and adores this woman.
The other stories all provide perspectives on Olive from her son, Christopher, her varied students from the local high school, other community members and Olive herself.
Each story in this collection is divine - you want each one to keep going and yet at the same time I think the author has timed and paced them perfectly.
If you enjoy brilliantly written books centred on character development and introspection than this is novel for you - just wonderful. I will be thinking about Olive for a long time to come.
