hiltzmoore's review against another edition
4.0
At times this book was difficult to read because I disliked Eleanor so much. I could tell there was more to her and that eventually, her horrific past would be revealed, but I wasn't sure I could get through until the secrets were revealed. I was surprised in the end at how smoothly the transition to a more "normal" Eleanor was presented. Such finesse in keeping her a quirky girl while still making it clear that she was healing and changing. I've not read anything quite like this book.
maireadingnook's review against another edition
4.0
Wow. Okay. I went from "maybe the 3rd times the charm" to "why are the tears not stopping?!"
mmgoodrich's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
taabi_03's review against another edition
5.0
4.5 ⭐
This isn't a book; it's an emotion.
I laughed.
I cried.
Laughed again.
Was shocked.
Cried again.
And then I smiled.
This isn't a book; it's an emotion.
I laughed.
I cried.
Laughed again.
Was shocked.
Cried again.
And then I smiled.
rachel_reads_regularly's review against another edition
dark
funny
hopeful
reflective
sad
slow-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
4.5
adnaram's review against another edition
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
4.5
lindone's review against another edition
emotional
funny
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
abbywood's review against another edition
4.0
Eleanor Oliphant is definitely not OK. But that’s fine because who actually is? It took me a while to get into this book, but I had heard such great things and pushed through the beginning. Meeting Eleanor and learning her somewhat awkward antics was charming and uncomfortable at the same time. I think I kind of related to her on some levels. She’s lonely. She’s existing. She doesn’t really think before she speaks, but at least she’s as honest and genuine as she can be.
I absolutely loved the structure of this book. You first understand how Eleanor is, then you learn why she acts like she does. Much like in life, you interact with people as they appear, and most of the time you don’t know what their past looks like. Eleanor eventually meets a coworker, who essentially sets Eleanor on a path to confronting her childhood traumas and the reality of her relationship with her mother.
Gail Honeyman highlights 1) how even one person can have the power to change the trajectory of your life and 2) you have no idea what may be under the surface of someone you meet or know. Near the end of the book, there’s this quote that I absolutely fell in love with: “You can’t sum someone up in a ten-second glance.” There are layers to humans. Eleanor definitely wasn’t just existing. She was processing. (And I want to be her friend).
I absolutely loved the structure of this book. You first understand how Eleanor is, then you learn why she acts like she does. Much like in life, you interact with people as they appear, and most of the time you don’t know what their past looks like. Eleanor eventually meets a coworker, who essentially sets Eleanor on a path to confronting her childhood traumas and the reality of her relationship with her mother.
Gail Honeyman highlights 1) how even one person can have the power to change the trajectory of your life and 2) you have no idea what may be under the surface of someone you meet or know. Near the end of the book, there’s this quote that I absolutely fell in love with: “You can’t sum someone up in a ten-second glance.” There are layers to humans. Eleanor definitely wasn’t just existing. She was processing. (And I want to be her friend).