See Joyce

Literary, Creative, Potboiler!

There is a resemblance to Dickens, Austen Eliot, Thackeray, and Chekhov. It is so ambitious in scope. It examines flawed parents, bad marriages, an unintentionally bad man and a creative, highly intelligent young girl. Sometimes, a bit of the writing can make the listener/reader feel impatient but quite an interesting story especially because of its insightful and vivid characterizations. The plot has some creative sideshows including invented and inventive language. Actually the use of language is outstanding! The story has a dramatic arc especially regarding the plight of women mid-century. It is poignant. My one cavil has to do with the nearly complete avoidance of World War II; it seems to place the beginning before World War II and after. But frankly that historic war is not relevant to this novel. There are several themes at play in the novel: adolescent girl, foolish and feckless fathers, bad marriages, the impact of poverty, verbal abuse, housing, and travel, anthropology and nature, art and poetry to cite several.

The voice was expressive, held my interest, and did not try to call attention to itself without cause!

It was a cautionary tale and the protagonist is a young girl and particularly about children who are subject to whims and bad parenting. It also shows love of family and love gone awry. Yes, there were many times throughout causing me to chuckle and others which caused me to feel for the suffering of the protagonist.

Well worth the experience. One of the better novels I've ever read.

Well done linked stories with central character in most being Olive Kitteridge, retired teacher approx. 70 years old. The stories show her with her easygoing pharmacist husband, son, difficult or eccentric daughters-in-law, friends and a past student or two. Most of the residents have spent their entire lives in the one town. Olive is multi-dimensional and many of the stories are resonant because of the characterizations as well as plot-the writing demonstrates good craftmanship!