“She didn't like to be alone. Even more, she didn't like being with people.”
It’s time for an important poll. Which do you prefer? A good surprise or a sincere promise? This week, I’d pick the former. When an unexpected Amazon box showed up on my doorstep, imagine my surprise when I opened it to find Bruce Springsteen’s autobiography: Born to Run. It made me pretty giddy. There was no note. What am I to do with all of this big curiosity? Whoever sent it knows me well. Whoever you are, thanks for sending The Boss from Amazon’s front seat to my front porch. (I read that the Springsteen-narrated memoir earned a 2018 Audie Award for Autobiography—after all these years Jersey boy, oh oh oh, you’re still on fire!)
Here’s another surprise: neither Rachel nor I had Olive Kitteridge on either of our packed bookshelves. Olive brought home the Pulitzer in 2009. As well she should have. One reviewer hit the nail square on the head: “Olive is an irascible, crabby old lady who is difficult to like. Yet, as her life, marriage, and story play out, her character changes in ways that are wholly believable. This novel runs the gamut of human emotion and delicately exposes the secret inner workings of the human condition.” I’m so glad I got to know impossibly flawed Olive. In fact, I can’t wait to read Olive Again because honestly, I can’t get enough. (OA surfaced on several Best of 2019 lists I riffled through.) If you liked Elinor Oliphant, you’ll love Olive Kitteridge. Oh, and here’s big bonus: Francis McDormand played Olive in an HBO series—now that’s what I call a recipe for success!