Olive Kitteridge by Elizabeth Strout (2.5 stars)

This novel reads like Strout was given a university assignment "develop a character through a series of short stories".  The writing is undoubtedly masterful, but I wasn't impressed with the novel.  It feels more like an exercise, a talent demonstration, a resume filler, than a novel that will be loved and recommended by readers.  In this regard it was obviously successful, winning the Pulitzer Prize.

There are 13 vignettes, which give us some insight into the central character Olive.  In some stories we learn quite a bit, while in others Olive seems to be merely a passing reference, barely noticeable at all.  I found myself forging bonds with many of the incidental characters, only to have them broken at the end of the vignette, never to re-appear again.  But such is the nature of the homework assignment.

For me the most memorable story was the one where Olive displayed a purely vindictive and petty streak, by performing a series of mean-spirited pranks on her son's new wife, who she disliked.

It does not help much, but it does help some, to know there will be moments now when Suzanne will doubt herself.  Calling out, "Christoper, are you sure you haven't seen my shoe?"

Overall I found it to be a completely forgettable story about an abrupt, unsympathetic old lady, told from 13 disconnected and depressing viewpoints.  But the words are very pretty.

2.5 stars.