Black Olives

by Martha Tod Dudman

I turn my head and stare up at the roof of the truck cab. He has no idea I'm here, and I don't know where he's going.

Upon a chance sighting of her ex-boyfriend, Virginia does something most of us have only dreamed of. Unseen, she jumps into the back of his Jeep, and remains hidden all day, observing the man she once loved. She's compelled to complete her unfinished portrait of their breakup, and relive the magical thinking of their romance.

I knew him by heart for ten years and he me, Vir-ginia reflects. And now, only nine months later, I know nothing at all.

The novel unfolds over the course of one day, ping-ponging between Virginia's fear of discovery and the illicit thrill of "breaking and entering" into the life of her former lover.

Will she finally confront him, as she's longed to do since they parted? Will she slink away in defeat? Any woman who has ever lived and loved will find herself swept up in Virginia's mesmerizing journey.

Genres: Fiction, Adult Fiction, Contemporary

192 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 2008

Reviews

[Kristin · Rating 1 out of 5]

So, I thought the title was fun. Read the jacket; hmmm...interesting concept. Began to read - still interested (although slightly disconcerted to know someone might actually hide in the back of an ex's vehicle). Somewhere around the fortieth page the author reveals the main character is pushing sixty years of age! Whoa Nelly! Are you serious - an almost senior citizen (my apologies to the over fifty crowd - but, honestly! would YOU do this?) is crawling into the back of a boyfriend's car, hiding under sweaters and market bags and eating stale pretzels! This plot line suddenly went from charming - albeit a quirky charming - to downright freakish and WRONG... I began to doubt the author's state of mind (I'm certain she's a fine woman of upstanding character, but seriously folks, who in their right mind would conceive of such a thing????) I was so uncomfortable reading this book that it took me days to finish it despite the fact it is less than two hundred pages - I actually developed a nervous twitch reading this thing - felt like I had to immerse my body in Purell afterwards - just a spooky, weird, freaky read.

[Susan Liston · Rating 2 out of 5]

I found this book while sorting through some boxes, where it came from I don't remember, but I know I've read it. Had no memory of it at all, so reread it, it's quite short. And rather strange, a woman sees her ex-boyfriend at the grocery store so goes and hides in his car. He doesn't realize she's there, hardly believable, but anyway there is no confrontation scene between them at all, which was sort of disappointing, even though she later sneaks into his house. We just get flashbacks of their relationship and breakup. It was the usual sad heartbreak stuff. Not terrible, but not memorable either, obviously, since I couldn't remember anything at all from the first reading.

[Mrs C · Rating 4 out of 5]

No matter how old you are, Black Olives will resonate. Excellent POV from the woman. Sad, but oh so true.

[Nancy · Rating 2 out of 5]

Sad. Tedious.Depression in place and omnipresent. Life ticks on and on and stops.

[Dana Opperman · Rating 2 out of 5]

Depressing story about a woman rehashing her relationship with her ex-lover of ten years. I found the main character whiny and selfish.

[Melody Cole · Rating 3 out of 5]

little strange but good

[Caitlin Myers · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sad and very real insight into romantic relationships, maybe aside from the weird joyride.

[Ashley T · Rating 2 out of 5]

Entertaining yet boring and uneventful.

[Sandy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Found this in a thrift shop, intrigued by the title and saw that it inolved a middle age woman. When I started reading, at first I was dismayed by the main character's apparent weakness in her inability to get over the man who dumped her some 9 months before, but she impulsively decides to jump in and hide in the back of his unattended jeep. The story takes place in one day with lots of flashbacks, but what I liked is that it slowly uncovers (to her and to the readers surprise) the things she really didn't like about him (or being in a relationship) to begin with and the things she did in the relationship that helped to kill it. I found it a very satisfying read.

[Eunice Coorlas · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book had its ups and downs. Virginia obviously torn apart by a break up with her “boyfriend“ Dave. Initially while reading, I thought she was a young woman in her 30s. When it became obvious that she was actually in her 60s I was taken aback. Her actions shock me but then again I thought good for you. Hiding away in the back of his truck took guts. Throughout the book, we feel her emotions. While Dave on the surface seem to be totally involved with Virginia, something in the back of my mind kept saying, he’s not being completely truthful. I could imagine his caring on with other women at various points in their relationship. Despite the fact, he kept pressing for marriage and telling her how much she loved her. I will say the last few paragraphs of this book were tremendously, revealing.Virginia, finally realized what she was looking at. For that reason alone I gave it four stars.

[Knotty · Rating 2 out of 5]

This is definitely an interesting book. It is about an older woman in her 50s who is coping with the break-up of a 10 year relationship with a man who cheats on her. She loves him, misses him, and all that jazz that makes a typical sad story. She sneaks into her ex's car and drives home with him while hiding in the back seat. She stealthily stalks him inside his home, and waits to go inside until he departs. After he leaves, she goes into the house and searches through all of his possessions. This is, in my opinion, every woman's fantasy: to invisibly stalk the old men of your life to see what happened to them and how they are doing without you. I hope I don't become this lady. Well, I know I won't become this lady since I'm not THAT crazy!

[Mary · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is great so far. It actually takes place in only one day, which is very unique and interesting. It is about a woman who hides in her ex-boyfriend's Jeep for a day and sees life through his eyes all the while she is thinking back on their ten year relationship. This book is different from anything I have ever read before, which makes it very memorable. It is a fast read, and it is very true to relationships. Anyone who has experienced a relationship can relate to this woman's feelings, and thoughts. AAAA+ thus far.

Just finished the book and it continued to be a very good book all the way through to the end.

[Andrea · Rating 2 out of 5]

Odd book. Woman happens to see her ex-boyfriend’s Jeep in the grocery parking lot, finds it unlocks, and crawls in – hiding all day while watching the man she once loved. Less a novel than a therapy session wrapped in the thin veneer of a short story, this was still worth reading. As the main character reflects and replays the years she and this man spent together, she questions everything, including her own motivations and failures. The story moves towards confrontation with this man, but along the way her personal insights may sway that course. It was okay, though if anyone ever does this to me, I am braining them with my heaviest skillet and then calling the cops.

[Jamie]

I was actually at the library to get the latest book by Augusten Burroughs and this title grabbed my attention. After reading the back cover, i knew it was meant to land in my hands. Anyone who has ever been through a bad break up can appreciate the sentiments in the book. It is more like a novella; Only 180 pages and is printed in a smaller size. I have not finished it but will by the end of the day!

[Kathy McC · Rating 2 out of 5]

Small book, very short read. As a result of it's brevity the characters are somewhat one-dimensional. Relationship ends after 10 years, woman tries to find answers by hiding in back seat of man's car and seeing how he spends his day. Had potential to be a fun and insightful read, but it wasn't.
I found it highly unlikely that David would not have any inkling that she was back there. Second issue was that ending was predictable. Overall, interesting premise but blah read.

[Beth · Rating 1 out of 5]

Yuck. A self obsessed woman going on and on, mostly about herself and some about her ex boyfriend. She sneaks into his vehicle and rides around in the back, eventually arriving at his home where she sneaks in and hangs around ruminating about their past. It was awful. I can't think of a single redeeming thing to say about it. I can't believe it got published.

[Stephanie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Despite an admonition by a friend that the book seemed a bit "stalkish"... it was enjoyable.

Who hasn't dreamed of being able to reopen a door that may have been slammed on them... in order that they may close it on their own?

The end was as I expected... really, I can't imagine it ending any other way... to keep its message of acceptance.

[Stephanie · Rating 2 out of 5]

Very cute book for anyone who has been through a breakup... story takes place all in one day when she runs into her exboyfriend. You get thrown back and forth between her thoughts of the past and the decisions she is about to make. Wasn't a good ending. Just not what I would have done if I was faced with my ex of 10 years who cheated on me. :) lol

[Linda Bouley · Rating 4 out of 5]

An incredibly unique plot. A middle aged woman sees the man who broke up with her a year before after a 10 year relationship and stows away in his truck. It takes place over 24 hours and in that time we learn the story as she thinks about their relationship and remembers its nuances. The ending is not at all what is expected, but in its way - satisfying.

[Megan · Rating 2 out of 5]

I think I was expecting something different from this one.., it's about a woman who stows away in the boot of her ex bf's car debating on whether she should remain burrowed under his sweater or spring out and surprise him into a car accident. It's reflective and introspective on their past relationship, if you're into that sort of thing, then you'll really enjoy this a lot.

[Katherine · Rating 2 out of 5]

Really quick read. I love that she gets in the jeep without his knowing. Who hasn't wanted to be a fly on the wall, or the undetected passenger, at one point in her life? The flashbacks get to be a bit long, but wondering whether she was going to get caught kept me going.

[Kristi Dixon · Rating 2 out of 5]

entertaining and kind of psychotic-stalkerish. while i'm sure most of us have had some of these thoughts, we've probably never actually followed through with them (unlike the protagonist, who seems to engage in every single thought that comes to her mind).

[Sandi · Rating 4 out of 5]

This short novel reads like a short story and the author's prose is fantastic. Her heroine's stream of consciousness thinking is so realistic, humorous, and touches a chord. I really liked this one.

[linnea · Rating 2 out of 5]

EEh, take ot or leave it. It was a quick read and though i did like the premise.

[Kim]

Admittedly it was the title of this book (and my love for black olives) that caught my attnetion when I saw this on the shelf...but it actually sounds like an interesting read.

[Danielle · Rating 3 out of 5]

very quick read, but a bit of a heartbreaker.

[bookelf · Rating 2 out of 5]

Just finished...it's a good quickie but pretty blah..

[Liz Esse Kahrs · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book. Beautiful writing and a great story. A must read!

[butler.tess · Rating 2 out of 5]

A fast read and interesting insight into the crazy world of emotions involved in a break up.

[Larissa · Rating 1 out of 5]

Can't even finish...so slow and dry and weird.

Stay away from this book!