- Date Published:
2019 - Length:
320 pages—Listening Time: 12 hrs 14 minutes - Genre:
Fiction - Setting:
1990s - where Olive Kitteridge left off in Crosby, Maine and nearby Shirley Falls, Maine - Awards:
Yasnaya Polyana Literary Award Foreign Literature 2020; BookTube Prize Quarterfinalist Fiction 2020; BookBrowse Awards Fiction 2019; Goodreads Choice Awards Nominee Fiction 2019; The Writers' Prize Longlist 2020; Publishers Weekly's Best Books of the Year Fiction 2019; NPR Books We Love 2019; Kirkus Reviews Best Book of the Year Short Fiction 2019; Oprah's Book Club 2.0 2019; BuzzFeed Best Books Fiction 2019; New York Public Library Best Books For Adults 2019; Chicago Public Library Best of the Best Adults Top Ten 2019 - Language:
English, translated into 14 other languages: Catalan, Danish, Dutch, English, Finnish, French, German, Italian, Japanese, Korean, Latin, Polish, Portuguese, Spanish, Swedish - Sensitive Aspects:
Aging and body decline, illness and death, mental health, loneliness, regret, family estrangement, addiction, discrimination and political discord, #MeToo movement - Movie:
While it's not a movie deal in the traditional sense, Oprah's Book Club (Series 1, Episode 2) on Apple TV+ features Olive, Again. - Recommend for Book Club:
YES, for groups that enjoy real life fiction
If the character of Olive Kitteridge existed in real life, I would never describe her as an old friend. Actually, in real life, she might be my acquaintance, not a friend at all. But in my book-reading life, that's precisely what she is. She is a dear, beloved old friend. I'm so, so glad that Elizabeth Strout decided to write this book because I wasn't at all ready to let go of Olive Kitteridge.
Strout says that the idea of writing more stories with Olive never crossed her mind as she was working on this book. But then she realized, "I was not done with Olive at all. And she was not done with me.” And Olive Kitteridge fans are ecstatic. I love Elizabeth Strout.
Just like the novel Olive Kitteridge, Olive, Again is composed of thirteen interconnected stories centered around the character of Olive Kitteridge, a retired schoolteacher living in the fictional coastal town of Crosby, Maine. The book picks up shortly after the end of Olive Kitteridge, following Olive through her seventies and eighties as she navigates aging, loss, and human connection.
The book is structured as a series of vignettes, each focusing on Olive or other residents of Crosby, with Olive sometimes as the protagonist and sometimes appearing peripherally. The stories explore themes of loneliness, regret, reconciliation, and the complexities of love and aging. Strout’s writing delves into the emotional intricacies of ordinary lives, marked by both pain and moments of unexpected grace.
At the start, Olive is adjusting to life as a widow after the death of her first husband, Henry. She begins a tentative relationship with Jack Kennison, a retired Harvard professor and widower. Their relationship grows, and they eventually marry, finding companionship in their later years despite their differences and past griefs.
Olive’s relationship with her son Christopher remains fraught. Over time, she confronts her shortcomings as a mother and slowly works toward reconciliation with him. This culminates in Christopher caring for Olive after she suffers a heart attack and eventually helping her transition into an assisted living facility.
In her final years, Olive befriends Isabelle, another resident with a similar background. Olive reflects on her life, feeling gratitude for the love she has received, even if she cannot always understand it.
The collection features stories about other townspeople. The story "Cleaning" depicts the troubling coming-of-age of a neglected girl. In "Helped," a violent past haunts the Larkin family. Olive’s friendship with Cindy, a woman dying of cancer, is depicted in “Light.” In "The Walk," an elderly man saves someone from a drug overdose. In "Exiles," the characters from Strout's novel The Burgess Boys return. All of these stories often touch on moments of crisis or revelation, emphasizing how certain incidents linger in memory and shape individual lives.
Throughout the book, Olive remains a complex figure: blunt, sometimes abrasive, but also capable of surprising empathy and growth. Her signature phrase, “phooey to you,” reflects both her independence and her struggle with alienation and loneliness as she ages.
The novel is marked by both humor and poignancy, as Olive and those around her confront the realities of old age, loss, and the enduring need for connection, making it a moving, honest exploration of later life and the ways people continue to change, even in elderhood. Through Olive’s journey and the lives of those in Crosby, Elizabeth Strout captures the ongoing, often messy process of living, loving, and making peace with the past
Olive, Again is widely regarded as a tour de force that captures the essence of life’s mysteries, challenges, and small moments of grace. If you liked Olive Kitteridge and wanted more, you'll love this book. Here is why.
Characters are Extraordinary and Feel Real
Elizabeth Strout is exceptional at creating deeply authentic characters, and Olive, Again is a masterclass in this craft. Olive is complex-outspoken, prickly, and sometimes difficult—yet also capable of profound empathy and understanding. Strout’s economy of prose allows her to pack immense emotional detail into every page, making each character feel deserving of their own novel.
Insightful Exploration of the Human Condition
Each of the novel's interconnected stories offers a window into the lives of Olive and her fellow townspeople in Crosby, Maine. Through these vignettes, Strout examines universal themes such as loneliness, aging, love, regret, and the search for connection. Readers are reminded that the greatest hardships in life often stem from a lack of connection, not from the bad things that happen. The book’s honest portrayal of the aging process and the complexity of relationships is unsentimental and yet deeply moving.
Relatable and Unsentimental Portrayal of Aging
Strout explores the realities of growing older with honesty and nuance, not just through Olive but also through the supporting cast. Olive's journey into her later years—her second marriage, her attempts to reconnect with her son, and her eventual move to an assisted living home—offers a rare, intimate look at the challenges and small victories of old age.
Evocative Sense of Place
The setting of coastal Maine is vividly rendered, but Strout never relies on lengthy descriptions. Instead, she evokes the sights, smells, and atmosphere of Crosby with just a few well-chosen words, immersing the reader in the world without excess. This subtlety makes the emotional landscape of the novel all the more powerful.
Empathy and Humor Amidst Life’s Hardships
Olive, Again is filled with humor and moments of grace, despite its sometimes heavy themes. Olive’s bluntness and idiosyncrasies-like her dismissive “phooey to you”-are both funny and poignant, highlighting her essential alienation and gradual journey toward connection. The novel’s balance of light and dark moments makes it both comforting and thought-provoking.
A Standalone and a Sequel
While Olive, Again is a sequel to the Pulitzer Prize-winning Olive Kitteridge, it stands on its own. New readers can appreciate the book without prior knowledge, while returning fans will enjoy revisiting familiar characters and seeing how their stories have evolved.
Perfect for Discussion and Reflection
The book’s episodic structure and rich themes make it an excellent choice for book clubs or readers who enjoy reflecting on the complexities of life. Strout tackles difficult topics, ranging from infidelity and family secrets to loneliness and mortality, ensuring that readers have much to discuss and ponder.
Get Elizabeth Strout Books
Emotionally brilliant! You'll want to read every word this masterful writer has ever penned.
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If you appreciated Olive, Again, you are probably attracted to stories with deeply human, flawed characters; realistic explorations of aging and connection; strong writing that evokes emotion; and honest stories that blend humor and empathy. Here are a few other books you might also enjoy.
- Any book by Elizabeth Strout
- Long Island by Colm Tóibín: This sequel to Brooklyn follows Eilis Lacey as she navigates family and identity, echoing Strout’s focus on character-driven storytelling.
- The Beggar Maid by Alice Munro: A collection of linked short stories about the evolving relationship between a woman and her stepmother, filled with finely observed details and emotional depth.
- Empire Falls by Richard Russo: Set in a small Maine town, this Pulitzer Prize-winning novel explores the intertwined lives of its residents with humor and insight, much like Strout’s work.
- Zorrie by Laird Hunt: A gentle, beautifully written portrait of an ordinary woman’s life in rural Indiana, marked by loss, resilience, and quiet courage.
- Our Souls at Night by Kent Haruf: A tender story of late-life companionship in a small town, focusing on themes of aging, loneliness, and community.
- Ask Again, Yes by Mary Beth Keane: A multigenerational family drama about forgiveness, trauma, and the ties that bind neighbors and families.
- A Man Called Ove by Fredrik Backman: Though lighter in tone, this novel features a prickly, memorable protagonist and explores themes of community and redemption.
- Gilead by Marilynne Robinson: A reflective, beautifully written novel about faith, memory, and the passage of time in a small Midwestern town.
- Girl, Woman, Other by Bernardine Evaristo: A Booker Prize-winning novel that weaves together the stories of several British women, exploring identity, family, and society.
- Mrs. Everything by Jennifer Weiner: A sweeping multigenerational story of two sisters navigating societal changes and personal challenges across decades.
- The Lockhart Women by Mary Camarillo: A family saga set in 1990s Southern California, focusing on the relationships between mother, daughter, and sister.
- Foreign Affairs by Alison Lurie: Follows two American academics in London, exploring personal transformation and cultural observation with wit and insight.
- Disappearing Earth by Julia Phillips: A series of interconnected stories set in remote Russia, examining the ripple effects of a crime on a community.
- Divine Secrets of the Ya-Ya Sisterhood by Rebecca Wells: A heartwarming exploration of mother-daughter relationships and enduring female friendships in the American South.
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