At times stern, at other times patient, at times perceptive, at other times in sad denial, Olive Kitteridge, a retired schoolteacher, deplores the changes in her little town of Crosby, Maine, and in the world at large, but she doesn’t always recognize the changes in those around her: a lounge musician haunted by a past romance; a former student who has lost the will to live; Olive’s own adult child, who feels tyrannized by her irrational sensitivities; and her husband, Henry, who finds his loyalty to his marriage both a blessing and a curse.
As the townspeople grapple with their problems, mild and dire, Olive is brought to a deeper understanding of herself and her life --- sometimes painfully, but always with ruthless honesty. Olive Kitteridge offers profound insights into the human condition --- its conflicts, its tragedies and joys, and the endurance it requires.
------above summary taken from www.readinggroupguides.com
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Did you enjoy this book? Why or why not?
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Was this a story you would normally enjoy, or outside your normal reading comfort zone?
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Who were your favorite characters?
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Did you have a favorite vignette/chapter? Any that gave you particular insight into Olive?
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Would you recommend this book to others?
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Did you picture anyone specific while reading the book?
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Please rate 1-5 (of course, you may use half & quarter stars) and explain your rating.
And here are a couple more specific questions just to get you thinking...
Did you like Olive? Did your opinion of her change during the course of the book?
Was there another storyline you wish had been resolved?
The End.
