baiwolwie's review against another edition
dark
emotional
funny
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
val_theburrowofstories's review against another edition
(Tried to read this in November 2023)
- I knew I wanted to take it out of my TBR even before starting it but it's been in my TBR for years and I saw two of my fav booktubers loving this so I just wanted to at least give it a try.
- I don't like the main character at all and this is not my type of book.
- Even if I force myself to finish it it will probably be 2 stars out of pity.
- I rather DNF it and not giving more time to this book. I honestly don't feel like I'm missing out.
starabo's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
samanthakelley's review against another edition
funny
hopeful
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
4.5
megansgc's review against another edition
4.0
Although I'm getting a little tired of the ubiquitous Asperger/High functioning ASD type character, I very much enjoyed this story. A bit Disturbing as a parent, but also satisfying to see the character's development. So much so that I didn't want to pick up another book right away
nglofile's review against another edition
5.0
edit: re-read 2020 (print) for book discussion. Equally affecting, perhaps even more, upon a second encounter.
A roller-coaster of the heart, Eleanor Oliphant is a story I want to put in everyone’s hands. It starts out a different book than it becomes, but the genius is that both experiences are rich and wrenching and worthwhile. That’s not to say that the reader won’t become frustrated with Eleanor -- all good friendships reach that point -- but she has the ability to make you laugh along with her one moment, exasperate you the next, and want to wrap her in a hug that won’t let go the one following that. Sometimes I thought I might be her; other times I was deeply, deeply grateful I wasn’t. This story has real darkness (the ‘bad days’ section may have been harshly uncomfortable, but the face-front realism was bald truth), but it also is a testament to resilience and the victories collected in simply persevering on another day.
Eleanor’s interactions with Raymond and Sammy are the stuff of life. Loved the burgeoning friendship with unquestioning acceptance of her oddities -- as well as the blunt depictions of the difficulties in navigating both their origins and the still-present ramifications.
I confess to glee at some of the Scottish details, especially the name-dropping of Irn-Bru. Not only evocative of the setting, but it unleashed a flood of memories stemming from my own visits.
audiobook note: If you audio at all, treat yourself to hearing this book enacted by Cathleen McCarron. Not only does she have the Scot credentials (and you will be enchanted by her voice on that basis alone), but she nimbly voices all of Eleanor’s facets. My favorites: when she is utterly bewildered by what others may consider mundane and her refusal to give way when she’s sure she has it right. This book might have tipped a bit toward the manipulative or cloying in less expert hands, but McCarron shows all it has to offer – and adds a little besides. She gets the credit for my edging this to 5 stars. Highly, highly recommended.
A roller-coaster of the heart, Eleanor Oliphant is a story I want to put in everyone’s hands. It starts out a different book than it becomes, but the genius is that both experiences are rich and wrenching and worthwhile. That’s not to say that the reader won’t become frustrated with Eleanor -- all good friendships reach that point -- but she has the ability to make you laugh along with her one moment, exasperate you the next, and want to wrap her in a hug that won’t let go the one following that. Sometimes I thought I might be her; other times I was deeply, deeply grateful I wasn’t. This story has real darkness (the ‘bad days’ section may have been harshly uncomfortable, but the face-front realism was bald truth), but it also is a testament to resilience and the victories collected in simply persevering on another day.
Eleanor’s interactions with Raymond and Sammy are the stuff of life. Loved the burgeoning friendship with unquestioning acceptance of her oddities -- as well as the blunt depictions of the difficulties in navigating both their origins and the still-present ramifications.
I confess to glee at some of the Scottish details, especially the name-dropping of Irn-Bru. Not only evocative of the setting, but it unleashed a flood of memories stemming from my own visits.
audiobook note: If you audio at all, treat yourself to hearing this book enacted by Cathleen McCarron. Not only does she have the Scot credentials (and you will be enchanted by her voice on that basis alone), but she nimbly voices all of Eleanor’s facets. My favorites: when she is utterly bewildered by what others may consider mundane and her refusal to give way when she’s sure she has it right. This book might have tipped a bit toward the manipulative or cloying in less expert hands, but McCarron shows all it has to offer – and adds a little besides. She gets the credit for my edging this to 5 stars. Highly, highly recommended.
cfillion's review against another edition
4.0
3.5 ⭐️⭐️⭐️
I really loved Eleanor and found myself laughing throughout the book with the quirkiness of her character. I also enjoyed the themes of loneliness and letting people in, and loved the two characters that seemed to change Eleanor’s life, Sam and Raymond.
The only thing I didn’t like about this was the abrupt ending!!!!
I really loved Eleanor and found myself laughing throughout the book with the quirkiness of her character. I also enjoyed the themes of loneliness and letting people in, and loved the two characters that seemed to change Eleanor’s life, Sam and Raymond.
The only thing I didn’t like about this was the abrupt ending!!!!
hgranger's review against another edition
4.0
At first, I didn't think I would like this book at all, but it ended up pleasantly surprising me; so much so that I'm rounding up to four stars, although it's probably more like 3.75.
The writing is clever and the characters are interesting. The story develops well, and I liked the progression, although there were a few events that seemed to appear our of nowhere, which could have used a bit more grounding in past events. Much of Eleanor's back story was kind of obvious from early in the book, but it still developed well and I was intrigued by the ending, and I liked how things were left on an open and hopeful note.
The writing is clever and the characters are interesting. The story develops well, and I liked the progression, although there were a few events that seemed to appear our of nowhere, which could have used a bit more grounding in past events. Much of Eleanor's back story was kind of obvious from early in the book, but it still developed well and I was intrigued by the ending, and I liked how things were left on an open and hopeful note.
isabezza's review against another edition
dark
emotional
funny
sad
medium-paced
4.5
I have ignored the urge to read this book for a while after hearing mixed reviews and worrying about the distressing content. Whilst the content was depressing and emotive, I found that Eleanor's amusing and likely neurodivergent characterisation was too wonderful to miss out on. Other characters in the story are similarly lovable, and others are plain despicable. Whilst there was not much nuance to the characters, I loved the journey through Eleanor's mental health discoveries and was surprised to find the story had a lot more themes packed in it than that; love lost, family relationships, friendships, and independence.
totoreo's review against another edition
dark
emotional
funny
reflective
medium-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