“In literature, the unreliable narrator gets all of the attention—though far more interesting a creation is the truly unlikable narrator, to say nothing of one the reader still identifies and empathizes with, deeply. Such an animal is Olive Kitteridge, the heroine of Strout’s eponymous follow-up to her justly praised Amy & Isabelle. ”
The Diane Rehm Show: Elizabeth Strout: "The Burgess Boys: A Novel"
Main Street, Port Hope, Maine.
Image used under Creative Commons from Flickr user Kiril Strax
There's an incident that occurs that's based on something that really happened.… It was very interesting to me, because as a citizen, I mean, it's a reprehensible act, and I was very interested in what do we do as a society about that? What laws do we use, or what services do we use, you know, how does society respond to let people know this is not going to be tolerated.
—Elizabeth Strout
Elizabeth Strout: "The Burgess Boys: A Novel" Interview by Diane Rehm The Diane Rehm Show April 1, 2013
mfawriting: Elizabeth Strout Interview
Elizabeth Strout discusses Olive Kitteridge, Amy & Isabelle, and Abide with Me, as well as how she got started and narrative voice. Interviewed by Magdalene Brandeis, faculty coordinator at Stony Brook Manhattan.
A story is only going to become a story when it finds its shape. And voice. For me, it can't be planned.
—Elizabeth Strout
Elizabeth Strout Interview Interview by Magdalene Brandeis mfawriting: Stony Brook Southampton MFA Program in Writing and Literature YouTube channel January 18, 2011
Syracuse.com: 'Olive Kitteridge' author Elizabeth Strout delivers final Gifford lecture of 2010
She spoke to an enthusiastic crowd of fans of her work about her childhood, her time in Syracuse as a Syracuse University law student, why she believes fiction is important and her writing process.
'Olive Kitteridge' author Elizabeth Strout delivers final Gifford lecture of 2010 Emily Kulkus Syracuse.com/The Post-Standard December 22, 2010
Olive Kitteridge Wins Italy's Premio Bancarella Award
Italian edition of Olive Kitteridge, published by Fazi.
200 Italian booksellers voted Olive Kitteridge and Elizabeth winner of the Premio Bancarella award in the medieval Piazza della Repubblica in Pontremoli, Italy. Elizabeth scored 100 votes of 187 cards received, surpassing the five other finalists books: Love SOS by Federica Bosco (Newton Compton) by 31 votes, The Box of Socks Lost by Vauro Senesi (Piemme) by 28 votes, The National Mean by Mimmo Gangemi (Einaudi) by 16 votes, The Murderess Leaves Something by Rose Mogliasso (Salani) by 7 votes, and Confession by Bill James (Seller) by five votes.