Editors’ Pick
Designed to Feel by Peter Burchardt
Designed to Feelby Peter Burchardt — on emotions, evolution & the science of feeling
View on Amazon →
Cover of Olive Kitteridge
Literary Fiction· United States

Olive Kitteridge

by Elizabeth Strout
Aggregate Editorial Score74/100
★Pulitzer Prize
Published 2009288 pagesEnglish
Buy on Amazon →

About This Book

Elizabeth Strout's Olive Kitteridge (2009) stands as one of the most significant works of literary fiction of its era. Thirteen linked stories set in the coastal Maine town of Crosby centre on the prickly, perceptive retired schoolteacher Olive Kitteridge and the lives she touches, knowingly and not. Strout's Pulitzer winner is a deeply humane portrait of small-town America, ageing, and the strange, imperfect ways we connect. Themes of aging, marriage, small-town life run through the work. The book has received recognition from Pulitzer Prize 2009.

Book Details

AuthorElizabeth Strout
Published2009
Country of Origin🇺🇸 United States
LanguageEnglish
Pages288
Category📖 Literary Fiction
ISBN9780812971835
Editorial Score74/100
About the Category

📖 Literary Fiction

Character-driven fiction that prioritises style, theme, and psychological depth.

Explore all Literary Fiction books →
Country of Origin

🇺🇸 United States

This book is part of United States's rich literary tradition.

Explore books from United States →

Editorial Assessment

Olive Kitteridge by Elizabeth Strout sits within the tradition of literary fiction that treats language as seriously as plot. Published in 2009 in United States, it engages with aging, marriage, small-town life, empathy in ways that have earned it lasting critical attention. The book's place in the literary record rests on its presence across major prize lists and critical surveys. Among its recognitions: Pulitzer Prize 2009. Its aggregate editorial score of 74/100 reflects recognition from 1 independent editorial sources, from international prizes to specialist critical journals. Readers coming to Olive Kitteridge for the first time will find a work that rewards patience. The book's handling of aging, marriage, small-town life, empathy is layered rather than didactic, and a second reading often reveals dimensions the first pass only hinted at. Within United States's literary landscape, Elizabeth Strout occupies a significant position. Olive Kitteridge is both a personal artistic statement and a contribution to a tradition shaped by the country's history and cultural concerns.
About this assessment: Editorial scores are aggregated from 1 independent sources including major literary prizes, critical surveys, and leading publications. Our editorial team reviews and contextualises this data. Rankings reflect critical consensus, not personal opinion or popularity metrics. Learn about our methodology.

Awards & Recognition

Pulitzer Prize
winner · national
200966
✍️
About the Author
Elizabeth Strout
United States
View Author →

Elizabeth Strout is a celebrated author from United States known for influential works of literary fiction.

The Tribe Manager
The Leadership Companion
The Tribe Manager
Leading People the Way Evolution Intended
Manage with human nature, you get loyalty. Manage against it, you get quiet quitting.
Get It on Amazon →Paperback & Kindle

What to Read Next

Cover of Midnight's Children
literary-fiction

Midnight's Children

Salman Rushdie· 1981
★Nobel Prize in Literature★Booker Prize
Editorial Score100/100
Cover of The God of Small Things
literary-fiction

The God of Small Things

Arundhati Roy· 1997
★Nobel Prize in Literature★Booker Prize
Editorial Score100/100
Cover of The Remains of the Day
literary-fiction

The Remains of the Day

Kazuo Ishiguro· 1989
★Nobel Prize in Literature★Booker Prize
Editorial Score100/100
Cover of The White Tiger
literary-fiction

The White Tiger

Aravind Adiga· 2008
★Nobel Prize in Literature★Booker Prize
Editorial Score100/100
Cover of The Road
literary-fiction

The Road

Cormac McCarthy· 2007
★Pulitzer Prize★Hugo Award
Editorial Score100/100
Cover of Wolf Hall
historical-fiction

Wolf Hall

Hilary Mantel· 2009
★Booker Prize★Costa Book Award
Editorial Score100/100

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Olive Kitteridge about?

Thirteen linked stories set in the coastal Maine town of Crosby centre on the prickly, perceptive retired schoolteacher Olive Kitteridge and the lives she touches, knowingly and not. Strout's Pulitzer winner is a deeply humane portrait of small-town America, ageing, and the strange, imperfect ways we connect.

Who wrote Olive Kitteridge?

Olive Kitteridge was written by Elizabeth Strout, from United States. First published in 2009.

What awards has Olive Kitteridge won?

Olive Kitteridge has received the following awards and honours: Pulitzer Prize 2009.

Is Olive Kitteridge worth reading?

Olive Kitteridge is a well-regarded book with solid critical recognition, with an aggregate editorial score of 66/100 on 50 Best Books, based on mentions across 1 editorial source. It is particularly recommended for readers interested in aging, marriage, small-town life.

Where can I buy Olive Kitteridge?

You can buy Olive Kitteridge on Amazon. Click the Buy on Amazon button above to find the best edition.

What category is Olive Kitteridge?

Olive Kitteridge is classified as Literary Fiction. Character-driven fiction that prioritises style, theme, and psychological depth.

What country is Olive Kitteridge from?

Olive Kitteridge originates from United States's literary tradition. Explore more books from United States on our country page.

Popular on 50 Best Books

Best Science Fiction Books of All TimeScience FictionBooker Prize Winners — Complete List & GuideLiterary PrizesNobel Prize in Literature — Every Winner Since 1901Literary PrizesClassic Literature Reading List — 50 Essential BooksReading GuidesBest Books for Beginners — 20 Easy Reads for New BookloversReading Guides

Explore More

📖More Literary FictionBrowse all Literary Fiction books🇺🇸Books from United States🇺🇸 United States literature📅2000s BooksPublished in the 2000s🏆Top 50 RankingsThe greatest books of all time