Olive, Again is a follow up to Elizabeth Strout’s Olive Kitteridge. Those readers who loved Olive Kitteridge will love this book too. Olive, Again continues the story of Olive as she grows older combined with stories of other people who live in a quiet town in Maine. At times, I felt that the timeline was off or events were casually mentioned- one day Olive and Jack are meeting again after time apart and then they got married in the next chapter. I loved some of the individual stories, especially Olive and Cindy’s conversations while Cindy is sick. But others, I felt were out-of-place and did not connect to Olive’s story. I enjoyed the writing and finished the book quickly, but I’m not sure how I feel about the story overall.

Thank you Elizabeth Strout, Random House Publishing Group, and NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

In the town of Crosby, Maine, we encounter Olive Kitteridge once again. In this novel, Olive struggles to understand herself as she ages. Her introspection leads to her unlikely relationships with others.

Each chapter is set apart differently. Some are about Olive. Some are about townsfolk and yet Olive is weaved into every story. There’s the most amazing array of characters and emotion - particularly at the end of the novel with Isabelle.

Olive leads a lonely life, yet she is so much a part of her town and its inhabitants. She is rude, candid and blunt. But she’s also funny in her own, dry way. I loved her reactions, like “oh Godfrey” and “ah-yuh”!

Elizabeth Strout’s writing is just so beautiful. While nothing compares to the original Olive Kitteridge, this is still SO worth reading.

This one, unfortunately was a "did not finish" for me. I had heard this one could stand on its own, but I guess it could have helped if I had read the first book. I found it to be slow, and did not find the characters to be interesting or likeable.

The rest of the story of Olive and the rest of the residents of Crosby, Maine. Olive mourns her husband Henry and her son lives in New York with his wife and children. But life goes on for her and the others in Crosby...

An older, wiser Olive. I loved this even more than Olive Kitteridge #1.

I took my time reading this over several weeks, often reading just one or two chapters at a time, and smiling. That was enough. Now I have just finished and I already miss it.

Olive is still struggling with relationships but learning about people, and more importantly, herself. Never stop growing or expanding your horizons, is my take away. If Olive can do it, anyone can.

Umm.... I was really hoping to like this book more. There were some parts that I found a bit offputting. Overall, it was a collection of stories about characters from a small town in Maine, all having to do with Olive Kitterage at some point. It was okay, but it wasn't as entertaining as the first book in this series.

I would like to thank Netgalley and the publisher for providing me with a copy free of charge. This is my honest and unbiased opinion of it.

Honestly, Strout's books just get better and better. Olive, Again provides laughs, tears and mostly amazing insight into an array of people, cultures and emotions. I truly had to force myself to put it down to do other things. Strout's skills with words made all the characters become real and their situations visible.

4.5 stars, rounded up

Elizabeth Strout is just a fabulous writer. Her ability to weave together a diverse group of characters always fascinates me. Her books are a blend between short stories and a novel. While I’m not a fan of short stories, her books always work for me, the way each chapter links to the next in its own weird way.

Olive, Again returns us to Crosby, Maine. Olive and her cronies are now in their 70s and looking back on their lives as much as forward. I felt an alliance with Olive. She’s not tactful, although she’s tying harder. And she’s not at ease. She struggles to find common ground with her own son, let alone his wife and their children.

As she moves through her old age, she finds a way to make things work. She becomes more accepting. I saw both myself and my parents reflected in Olive’s efforts to navigate the whole aging process.

Strout makes every character, not just Olive, seem fully formed and real. This is a small town and while it seems not much happens, the book speaks to life in all its variations. It was such a rich story, it totally drew me in.

My thanks to netgalley and Random House for an advance copy of this book.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Bringing back Olive Kitteridge, Amy and Isabelle and The Burgess Boys into Strout’s new book entitled Olive Again, I was so happy to revisit Crosby, Maine and the characters within.

Elizabeth Strout has knocked this one out of the park! Reading similarly to a book of short stories, each featuring a character or two, the author revisits the characters of stories past. The timeline begins at the end of the story from Olive Kitteridge and follows the characters with Olive being a primary focus, throughout Olive’s lifetime. The stories are warm and funny, touching and witty.

Thank you to @netgalley and Random House for this ARC in exchange for an honest review. This book published October 15.

Not as good as the first one, in my opinion. But I'm sure our patrons will love this one all the same. Will recommend.

Thank you for the opportunity to review Olive, Again by Elizabeth Strout. Given my (and, seemingly, everyone's) love of Strouts introduction to Olive's world, I knew that there was a good chance that Olive, Again would not capture my heart in the same way. Strout did what Strout does best, and she wove a series of thoughtful tales that either centered or somehow involved an aging Olive. I was not especially a fan of the time jumps between one chapter and the next. I'm also not quite sure about what was missing this time- but *something* was. What worked so wonderfully in the first book fell just short in the second.
All of that said- I hold Olive K and her world close to my heart and Strout is an exceptional writer. For most works, my opening review paragraph would mean a 2 or 3 star review. In this case, it's 4 stars. Still good, but not as magical as the earlier work. Strout set the bar high and just missed.

Olive, Again continues the saga of Olive Kitteridge from the original book of the same name published in 2008. In this newest book, Olive struggles with her identity, her purpose in life and understanding the world around her as she enters old age.

Like the original book, the book is thought-provoking and is made up of a collection of narratives of those who live in, or visit,the town of Crosby, Maine. This book too illuminates some of the greatest tragedies and struggles in life - illness, depression, loneliness and despair to name just a few.

I found this book, like the first in the series, to be a little too depressing for my liking. Perhaps I am an outlier, as many love this character dearly. Indeed, some might wonder why I would want to read the sequel to this book having felt this way after reading the first in the series. For me, I was intrigued by the character that is Olive and was rooting for her to find happiness and contentment in her older years.

Thank you to Netgalley and Random House Publishing Group for the ARC of this book in exchange for the honest review provided here.

As much as I enjoyed Olive Kitteridge, I can't say the same for Olive Again. This book is not about the Olive I knew from the previous book, and the neighbors in her small town. By the time I quit reading, Olive had seen and done and said and thought some very off-putting events.

Jack Kennison , after giving the finger to two cars, is getting now a ticket, and remarks that the policeman's crotch is right as eye level, and the guy might be getting a boner. Jack reflects on the various types of men's underwear: tighty-whities or shorts.

"Dalliance, said Jack out loud. Nobody uses the word 'dalliance. What are you, a faggot?"

Olive stared. She was amazed. She had never seen a young woman's -- pudendum. My word! The amount of hair.

Mr. Ringrose who leaves money for Kayley who is massaging her own breast as he watches.

Well, by then I had had enough.

Random House 10/15/19 [include name of outlet where review will be published -- GoodReads; link to the review]

Ah, Olive. Cranky, opinionated, vocal, argumentative. Vulnerable, afraid, sensitive, caring. She's a host of emotions and personalities all wrapped up into one special person. And I love her for that. She is what makes this book such a wonderful read. I'm honestly not a huge fan of short stories, but Burgess' ability to weave a common thread (Olive) throughout each story is a gift and a talent, and for that reason I really loved both Olive Kitteridge books! So many different storylines and themes run throughout the pages, which should make this book confusing and hard to follow. But Olive is the synergy and the bond that brings it all together into truly enjoyable book.

Now. My biggest complaint is the ending. It felt flat and hurried. It honestly didn't even feel like an ending. Just a "stopping." It doesn't seem right that there would be yet another Olive book, so I don't think it was left open-ended on purpose. And it's not like I wanted or expected her to die (that's not a spoiler). I just didn't get the closure I assumed would be there. Small point, and it didn't hurt the overall book for me.

I have read Olive’s stories before and Olive, Again does not disappoint. Rather, it enhances and deepens the reader’s understanding of this wonderful, wonderfully complex, character. Once again, Elizabeth Strout proves her place as one of our country’s quintessential story tellers. Only she can pull off such a triumph using a series of stories rather than a more typical novelistic structure to bring us deeper and deeper into Olive’s world and into Olive herself. Run, don’t walk, to read this wonderful IL book.

Olive, Again
Elizabeth Strout
October 15, 2019

Olive grew up in Shirley Falls, Maine. She and husband Henry went to school there. Then went on to college and married moving to Crosby, Maine. Henry bought a drug store and was the pharmacist for the small town. Olive taught math at the local high school. Many of the adults in Crosby were her students. She was well acquainted with most of the people in the Maine small town. Crosby sits right next to the ocean. Their home sat near the bay where she and Henry took walks in the evenings or looked out their windows to see the rolling waves. Henry had a stroke and Olive was his caregiver until he passed. Olive Kitteridge, Strout’s first book was published in March of 2008. Now without Henry she is lonely, a bit lost trying to make a life alone. Olive is a contrary woman. She keeps few of her thoughts private. Locals find her unfriendly or very pleasant. Upon reading Strout’s first novel, I would think of my mother. I could see Olive’s personality in her. Perhaps it is why I found it such an interesting read.
As Olive strives to move on, she tries to make herself less of an inconvenience to those she meets on the street or out shopping. In doing so she reconnects with an old friend, Jack Kennison, a retired Harvard professor who lost his wife, Betsy years earlier. His life has become solitary and vacant. He calls and recalls Olive until she meets up with him. She finds him someone she can share her days with. They are both able to talk about their encounters and recollect thoughts from the day. Throughout most of the book we read about kindred folk from Olive’s world.
Elizabeth Strout is a magnificent writer. She gives us wonderful descriptions of her character’s conversations, thoughts, and actions. As Olive ages, I once again see my mom and her contrary ways as well as her considerate acts. This book makes us look at how we feel about and how we react to aging seniors. It made me consider the characters and how similar they are to people we know. Olive, Again is a book that I found hard to put down however I needed to think about the words I read, the power behind them. Elizabeth Strout’s Olive, Again will be published on October 15, 2019 by Random House of New York. I appreciate their allowing me to read the Advance Reader’s Copy via NetGalley. I enjoyed Olive, Again from start to finish. I encourage those who read Olive Kitteridge to read Olive, Again. Some may have seen the film and that too was excellent but I have enjoyed the novels. I thank Elizabeth Strout for continuing Olive’s journey.

No need to have read the original Olive Kitteridge to read and enjoy this book Olive, Again, but honestly do not deprive yourself of the original Olive Kitteridge which won the Pulitzer. It is one of my favorite novels of all time. Needless to say, I was so excited when I saw that Olive had more to say.

Olive is blunt, hardy, and piercingly honest. I like her, despite her lack of social graces and tact. I love her plain-tell it like it is approach and interesting bursts of exclamation - “Godfrey!” Loved seeing her story pick up again with Jack and delve further into his life. Jack and Olive’s relationships with their adult children are heart-breakingly realistic in the quiet spaces where hurt live and pinch. “Just a needle in your goddamn heart,” as Olive puts it.

The rest of the book’s characters and story vignettes are disjointed to Olive’s character, but Strout is able with her quiet build in writing keep you engaged and interested from chapter to chapter in all the characters and I found myself not necessarily caring that I couldn’t find the link to Olive.

Elizabeth Strout remains our nation’s leading storyteller and character. Olive, Again is a continuation of Strout’s amazing ability to capture voice and character all swirling around Olive and her town in Crosby, Maine.

‘It came to him then that it should never be taken lightly, the essential loneliness of people, that the choices they made to keep themselves from that gaping darkness were choices that required respect.”

Please, Elizabeth, keep on writing.

An older and wiser, Olive?. Yes, somewhat but she is still outspoken, firm in her likes and dislikes, but more tactful and empathetic. Looking back she admits to mistakes she has made. Linked episodes, that is the description i would use describing this book. The people of Crosby, Maine, like all towns, are going through their individual crises and Olive flute in and out through their lives, sometimes with just a glancing blow. Some episodes are all Olive, catching us up on her life since her last staring role, in the last book.

Strout, takes the many incidents and foibles, the ordinary things that make up a day,and makes them interesting. As a reader one can relate to some of these occurrences, realizing these are the things that make up our lives. Childbearing, marriage, loneliness, friendship, health issues and aging. Yes, it's all here and plenty more. Life, in all its Glory and ugliness is what is on these pages, and Strout does them justice.

ARC from Random House.

I have not previously read olive Kettering but still found this book enjoyable. Olive has no qualms of speaking her mind and her filter loosens as she gets older. With other neighborhood stories trickled in, Olive Again is a pleasant read.

Olive, Olive, Olive...what can I say she is quite the character (as are most of the characters in this book.)

I think it is essential to read the first book in this series ( Olive Kitteridge )to fully appreciate this book. As with the first book, this book is told through not only Olive's story but various people who live in the Crosby, Maine and have some form of interaction with Olive.

Olive is perceived by those in her community as being odd. She's a tough old broad who speaks her mind, can often be blunt and brutally honest. But she also has a heart of gold and as she reaches her seventies and eighties becomes more self-aware and must come to terms with the harsh realities that come with aging. It's lonely, it's devastating, frustrating and something she faces in her own very Olive way. Plus, looking back, she examines her life, her choices and her relationships.


"You all know who you are. If you just look at yourself and listen to yourself, you know exactly who you are. And don't forget it."

In this book several things are addressed in addition to aging, alcoholism, infidelity, the divide that happens between people as communication breaks down, loneliness, and isolation. Stout continues to write characters with real issues with tremendous skill and insight. Her writing is beautiful and insightful. Olive has her struggles in this book, make no mistake, this is not happy-go-lucky book. This has a feeling of sadness throughout, but there is also hope as Olive continues to grow and gain some insight.

"Maybe you fall in love with people who save your life'; even when you think it's not worth saving."

Beautifully written look at Olive in the later stages of her life.

Thank you to Random House Publishing and NetGalley who provided me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All the thoughts and opinions are my own.