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kirstenpenguin's review against another edition
dark
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25
Graphic: Suicide attempt and Alcohol
Moderate: Fire/Fire injury
Minor: Animal cruelty
elma_b's review against another edition
4.0
Went in blind and this is not at all what I expected. Quite dark and compelling.
victoriabot's review against another edition
4.0
Every once in a while, after I've chewed my way through space battles, wizard detectives, vampire cults, time loop mysteries, and lesbian necromancers, I need a bit of break. Often it's something like "The Idiot" where the plot would have clearly been improved by the protagonist being a vampire who killed her ex-boyfriend. Other times, that something super normal is this book. And this book isn't the most inventive or twisty tale, but damn, is it a delightful character and relationship study. This is an absolute treat to consume as an audiobook. Eleanor is so fully formed as a character, and her friendship with Raymond was something I clung to as much as she eventually did. You feel so much for these characters that you can forget they are normal Muggles who work in an office that is in regular old Scotland with no wizard councils or haunted houses. I will say the reveal of her family history is well telegraphed and feels earned when the reader gets to it. It was understandably alluded to in her word choices and the dialogue with another character.
I just want to take a brief aside and say even normal Scotland is basically a fantasy to this American reader. Characters are able to take a multi-month leave of absence for mental health and be accepted by the entire office, their boss, and be paid! What fictional universe is this healthcare system and what wardrobe do I have to climb in to enter it?
I just want to take a brief aside and say even normal Scotland is basically a fantasy to this American reader. Characters are able to take a multi-month leave of absence for mental health and be accepted by the entire office, their boss, and be paid! What fictional universe is this healthcare system and what wardrobe do I have to climb in to enter it?
nargles27's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
reflective
relaxing
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
kara2427's review against another edition
3.0
I’ll admit when I started this book I hated it. I didn’t understand the hype around it. But I continued on and I’m so glad I did. I won’t give away any spoilers, but that ending wow.
kbergh06's review against another edition
5.0
Excellent cast of characters especially Eleanor. Loved getting into the mind of a fellow chronic over thinker. Not going to say much about the storyline, other than it was relatable and also tugs on the heartstrings a bit at times. It was hard to put down this book and looking forward to reading future novels by this author.
atkinse's review against another edition
5.0
“Fire tests gold and adversity tests the brave.” Such a good book of finding yourself and discovering the irreplaceable need for human connections.
kalandra1188's review against another edition
5.0
Started out thinking this novel was about an undiagnosed autistic woman discovering her place in the world. How the pages turned, and things changed. Ended up a little heart broken, while a little in love. Everybody needs a Raymond.
kristythayne's review against another edition
5.0
LOVE. This was so surprising! I’ve never read a book so heartbreaking and hilarious at the same time. The underlying element of mystery was really good and kept me turning pages. And these characters
katerina119's review against another edition
4.0
I was still a little tender from having read Earthings (so good but unhinged) when I started this one, so my endocrine system wasn’t entirely tolerant of more characters that shirked social norms. I realized I could relax and trust the author here when I was just about finished, and boy this was just a nice little quirky story.
Put some real distance between Eleanor Oliphant… and Earthings (should that even be a risk for you) and you’ll enjoy it so much more.
Put some real distance between Eleanor Oliphant… and Earthings (should that even be a risk for you) and you’ll enjoy it so much more.