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- Title: Olive, Again (Oprah’s Book Club): A Novel
- Author: Elizabeth Strout
- Narrator: Kimberly Farr
- Length: 12:16:05
- Version: Abridged
- Release Date: 15/10/2019
- Publisher: Random House (Audio)
- Genre: Fiction & Literature, Literary Fiction, Family Life, Sagas
- ISBN13: 9.78E+12
I’ve always believed that stories are the maps of human experience, guiding us through unfamiliar terrain with the intimacy of a whispered secret. When I first pressed play on ‘Olive, Again (Oprah’s Book Club): A Novel’ by Elizabeth Strout, narrated by Kimberly Farr, I wasn’t just stepping into a book – I was stepping into the rugged, bittersweet landscape of Crosby, Maine, and into the prickly, unforgettable life of Olive Kitteridge. This audiobook experience, steeped in the nuances of literary fiction and family life, unfolds like a slow drive through a coastal town where every house hides a saga of its own. It’s a narrative that resonates with the quiet power of human connection, something I’ve chased in every corner of the world as a travel writer.
My initial impression of this audiobook was one of quiet awe. Elizabeth Strout, a Pulitzer Prize winner, has a way of animating the ordinary with astonishing force, as The New Yorker aptly noted. ‘Olive, Again’ picks up where ‘Olive Kitteridge’ left off, following the iconic Olive through the later years of her life as she grapples with aging, loss, and the messy web of relationships that define her existence. The story isn’t just about Olive, though – she’s the gravitational pull that draws us into the lives of others in Crosby, from a teenager mourning her father to a nurse confessing a long-buried crush. It reminds me of a time when I stayed with a family in Oaxaca, listening to their grandmother weave tales each evening by the firelight. Her voice, much like this audiobook, carried the weight of lived experience, using silence and timing to make every word feel personal. That memory resurfaced as I listened to ‘Olive, Again,’ reminding me how the best stories – whether spoken or recorded – feel like they’re meant just for you.
The themes of this literary fiction masterpiece hit close to home for me. Strout explores empathy as a cornerstone of love, a concept that NPR highlighted as a reminder that life can be ‘not unhappy’ when we bear its mysteries with grace. As someone who’s spent years documenting human connections across cultures, I felt a kinship with Olive’s ruthless honesty and deep, often hidden, compassion. Her struggle to understand herself and others mirrors the way I’ve often felt while navigating unfamiliar places – trying to decipher the unspoken rules of a new community, much like I did while driving through the surreal Atacama Desert, listening to magical realism that matched the landscape. ‘Olive, Again’ captures that same surreal yet grounding essence, blending the mundane with the profound in a family life saga that feels both universal and deeply personal.
Let’s talk about the audiobook experience itself, because Kimberly Farr’s narration elevates this already powerful story to another level. Her voice is a perfect match for Olive’s wry, no-nonsense demeanor, delivering each line with a gravitas that makes you feel the weight of every decision, every regret. You can almost hear the creak of a porch swing or the distant crash of Maine’s waves in her tone – it’s that immersive. Farr’s pacing is impeccable, knowing when to linger on a moment of quiet pain or quicken during a burst of humor, much like that Oaxacan grandmother who knew the power of a well-timed pause. The audio quality is crisp, ensuring that every nuance of Farr’s performance shines through, making this listening experience a true standout in the realm of literary fiction audiobooks. Whether you’re a fan of sagas or just dipping into family life narratives, Farr’s narration will draw you in.
Analyzing the content, Strout’s writing is a masterclass in character development. Olive isn’t easy to love – she’s prickly, resistant to change, and often blunt to a fault. Yet, as Zadie Smith noted in The Guardian, Strout makes you love this strange woman you’ve never met. Through interconnected vignettes, we see Olive’s impact on her community, her second marriage to Jack Kennison, and her evolving self-awareness. The theme of aging is handled with raw honesty, showing how time strips away pretenses but also offers unexpected chances for connection. It’s a family life narrative that doesn’t shy away from the messiness of relationships, whether it’s Olive’s strained bond with her son or her unexpected tenderness toward strangers. As a travel writer, I’ve seen how shared struggles unite people across cultures, and Strout captures that universal truth with heartbreaking precision.
That said, I must offer a balanced perspective. While the audiobook experience is deeply moving, it’s not without its challenges. The nonlinear structure and multitude of characters might feel disorienting for some listeners, especially if you’re new to Strout’s style or the world of Crosby, Maine. At times, I found myself wishing for a tighter focus on Olive herself, as the tangents into other lives occasionally diluted the emotional punch of her arc. However, these are minor quibbles in an otherwise stellar work of literary fiction. The strengths – Strout’s keen insight into human nature and Farr’s captivating narration – far outweigh any limitations.
For comparison, ‘Olive, Again’ stands alongside other great family sagas like Anne Tyler’s ‘A Spool of Blue Thread,’ which also delves into the intricacies of intergenerational bonds with a keen eye for the ordinary. Yet, Strout’s work feels more unflinching, less sentimental, and Farr’s narration adds a layer of intimacy that a print read might not fully capture. If you’ve enjoyed Tyler’s audiobooks or other literary fiction exploring small-town life, this listening experience will feel like coming home.
I’d recommend this audiobook to anyone who craves stories about the quiet, often overlooked moments that define us. It’s perfect for fans of literary fiction and family life narratives, or for those who simply want to lose themselves in a saga that feels as real as the people you pass on the street. Whether you’re commuting, cooking, or – like me – driving through a desert with only the story for company, ‘Olive, Again’ is a companion worth having. And if you can find this audiobook free or as part of a subscription, it’s an even sweeter deal to dive into such a rich tale without breaking the bank.
Reflecting on this journey, I’m struck by how much Olive’s story mirrors the human experiences I’ve encountered in my travels. Her stubbornness, her unexpected kindness – it’s the same push and pull I’ve seen in markets in Marrakech, villages in Peru, and now, through this audiobook, in the fictional Crosby, Maine. It’s a reminder that no matter where we are, we’re all trying to bear the burden of life’s mysteries, as Strout so beautifully puts it, with as much grace as we can muster.
So, my friends, that’s my take on ‘Olive, Again.’ I hope it moves you as much as it did me. Until our next adventure – whether on the road or through a story – keep listening, keep connecting, and keep seeking the hidden beauty in the everyday. This is Marcus Rivera, signing off with a full heart.
