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- Do you like Olive Kitteridge as a person?
- Have you ever met anyone like Olive Kitteridge, and if so, what
similarities do you see between that person and Olive?
- How would you say Olive changed as a person during the course of
the book?
- Discuss the theme of suicide. Which characters are most affected
(or fascinated) by the idea of killing themselves?
- What freedoms do the residents of Crosby, Maine, experience in
contrast with those who flee the town for bigger "ponds"
(California, New York)? Does anyone feel trapped in Crosby, and if
so, who? What outlets for escape are available to them?
- Why does Henry tolerate Olive as much as he does, catering to
her, agreeing with her, staying even-keeled when she rants and
raves? Is there anyone that you tolerate despite their sometimes
overbearing behavior? If so, why?
- How does Kevin (in "Incoming Tide") typify a child craving his
father’s approval? Are his behaviors and mannerisms any way like
those of Christopher Kitteridge? Do you think Olive reminds Kevin
more of his mother or of his father?
- In "A Little Burst," why do you think Olive is so keen on having
a positive relationship with Suzanne, whom she obviously dislikes?
How is this a reflection of how she treats other people in town?
- Does it seem fitting to you that Olive would not respond while
others ridiculed her body and her choice of clothing at Christopher
and Suzanne’s wedding?
- How do you think Olive perceives boundaries and possessiveness,
especially in regard to relationships?
- Elizabeth Strout writes, "The appetites of the body were private
battles" ("Starving," page 89). In what ways is this true? Are there
"appetites" that could be described as battles waged in public?
Which ones, and why
- Why does Nina elicit such a strong reaction from Olive in
"Starving"? What does Olive notice that moves her to tears in
public? Why did witnessing this scene turn Harmon away from Bonnie?
- In "A Different Road," Strout writes about Olive and Henry: "No,
they would never get over that night because they had said things
that altered how they saw each other" (p. 124). What is it that
Olive and Henry say to each other while being held hostage in the
hospital bathroom that has this effect? Have you experienced a
moment like this in one of your close relationships?
- In "Tulips" and in "Basket of Trips," Olive visits people in
difficult circumstances (Henry in the convalescent home, and Marlene
Bonney at her husband’s funeral) in hopes that "in the presence of
someone else’s sorrow, a tiny crack of light would somehow come
through her own dark encasement" (p. 172). In what ways do the
tragedies of others shine light on Olive’s trials with Christopher’s
departure and Henry’s illness? How do those experiences change
Olive’s interactions with others? Is she more compassionate or more
indifferent? Is she more approachable or more guarded? Is she more
hopeful or more pessimistic?
- In "Ship in a Bottle," Julie is jilted by her fiancé, Bruce, on
her wedding day. Julie’s mother, Anita, furious at Bruce’s betrayal,
shoots at him soon after. Julie quotes Olive Kitteridge as having
told her seventh-grade class, "Don’t be scared of your hunger. If
you’re scared of your hunger, you’ll just be one more ninny like
everyone else" (p. 195). What do you think Olive means by this
phrase? How does Olive’s life reflect this idea? Who is afraid of
his or her hunger in these stories?
- In "Security," do you get the impression that Olive likes Ann,
Christopher’s new wife? Why does she excuse Ann’s smoking and
drinking while pregnant with Christopher’s first child (and Henry’s
first grandchild)? Why does she seem so accepting initially, and
what makes her less so as the story goes on?
- Was Christopher justified in his fight with Olive in "Security"?
Did he kick her out, or did she voluntarily leave? Do you think he
and Ann are cruel to Olive?
- Do you think Olive is really oblivious to how others see
her—especially Christopher? Do you think she found Christopher’s
accusations in "Security" shocking or just unexpected?
- What’s happened to Rebecca at the end of "Criminal"? Where do
you think she goes, and why do you think she feels compelled to go?
Do you think she’s satisfied with her life with David? What do you
think are the reasons she can’t hold down a job?
- What elements of Olive’s personality are revealed in her
relationship with Jack Kennison in "River"? How does their
interaction reflect changes in her perspective on her son? On the
way she treated Henry? On the way she sees the world?
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