Olive Kitteridge by Elizabeth Strout

Thirteen linked tales  present a heart-wrenching, penetrating portrait of ordinary coastal Mainers living lives of quiet grief intermingled with flashes of human connection.

The stories all involve the central character, Olive Kitteridge, in one way or another - each told from the perspective of either Olive or one of the townspeople. Each gives us an insight into a life of one of these townsfolk. Brilliantly crafted and stunningly told.