I'm a huge fan of Elizabeth Strout. Olive Kitterege is one of my favorite characters, and she appears in several of Elizabeth Strout's books in the Agwash, Illinois, series. This novel is also in that series but just doesn't compare to the others, in my opinion. Maybe Olive should have made an appearance.
Most of the novel takes place during the time that Lucy Barton is hospitalized, and her estranged mother comes to sit by her bed. Their conversation reveals a history of poverty and abuse, and clearly their relationship is awkward and strained. Lucy's mother rambles on about people they knew mostly recounting stories of failed marriages. And some of the stories are just random and have no real message in them.
I won't give up on Elizabeth Strout. She has a new book out that is not part of this series, and I'm anxious to read it. But this one I wouldn't recommend. - June
P.S. I listened to this novel, and the narrator was not the best which definitely makes a difference.
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