Reviews

This was such a good read, a story I found myself getting more and more attached to. Eleanor reminds me of Backman’s Ove at the beginning - the more feminine & younger version of Ove - and has a similar character arc. Though it starts off slow and simple, the story contains a dark undercurrent that develops over time. It was a bit predictable, but I enjoyed the plot twists nonetheless.

enchantedbibliophile's review against another edition

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emotional sad medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

I should really start looking at content warnings before just blindly diving into books.

The only thing I knew about Eleanor Oliphant is that everyone seems to like the book.
So I had a few triggers pop-up, nevertheless I still found it absolutely brilliant. It was done so realistically, and true to the issues that I almost believed Eleanor was a real person I've met just the other day.

I get the hype.

charesemnb's review against another edition

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5.0

I feel like I have awarded the five stars rather too early right after finishing the book, and mainly because of how this apparently tugged my strings right there and then, albeit the inquiries it formed in my mind (about Eleanor). No matter, I'll stick with my ratings because it's still a good novel and I can't just ignore a good writing.

I guess my qualms about this book are mostly about why Eleanor, for someone who went to uni and who has an office job for most of her adult life, is that ignorant and clueless about the things around her, her social skills (or lack thereof) aside. I believe one can be socially inept but can still know what a fast food is. How can she watch TV all the time and not heard of McDonalds? Even from the advertisements? Perhaps if someone has lived all their life fully isolated from civilization then they can be that unaware. I'm sure she uses a computer when processing invoices and other stuff at work. Who doesn't? So how come she goes to the store as if a laptop is that foreign to her? For someone who also frequents the store to buy her vodka, Eleanor appears to be clueless about other types of alcoholic drinks such as a beer, and yet knows the existence of bikini wax.

Also, I just feel that the author didn't need to incorporate a theme as dark as Eleanor's background. I can't quite associate it to Eleanor's qualities and to the tone of the novel, even the revelation about her mother didn't feel effective for me. There seems to be too many themes in this novel but not enough time to discuss it in one book. The author could have just used one of Eleanor's qualities such as her inability and dislike to socialize, and thrive from there.

For five stars I seem to disagree on quite a number of things, haha. But other than these little disagreements, I'm happy with this book. I enjoyed my time spent reading, and I loved it.

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