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lizmorr's review against another edition
dark
funny
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
denisestewart's review against another edition
4.0
Wow!!! I loved this novel. When I first started it...I wasn't sure I liked Eleanor Oliphant very much...but as I continued...I began to laugh with her, cry with her and cheer her on. She is one severely damaged girl...emotionally and physically abused by her mother and later by her first boyfriend....She has hardly any human contact and finds a lot of solace in a vodka bottle....her weekly talks with her mum can send her into a tailspin......how she overcomes it all....and it works out in the end is a joy to read....My only regret is this is not the book that I picked for my book club read this year.....I think it would have lead to great discussions....sigh....Read the book!
infintereader's review against another edition
4.0
Wow. This book was really about a survivor and healing.
lindsaystadter's review against another edition
4.0
What a delightful book! Finished it in just about a day. A sweet and sometimes sad novel about a woman coming to terms with her past while learning how to open up herself to love and friendship. Very enjoyable.
nancyflanagan's review against another edition
3.0
My take on this book seems to be a minority opinion.
The book made me profoundly uncomfortable, especially near the beginning. I didn't find it 'hilarious' or even heart-tugging. I kept trying to figure out what was wrong with Eleanor Oliphant, because something clearly was.
The book was strongly reminiscent of 'The Rosie Project,' another crowd-pleasing book that I didn't really care for, where the protagonist was on the autism spectrum, but finds a sweet girl to marry him--getting married was his 'project.' Eleanor also has a similar project, but the reader is supposed to find her fantasies, weird idiosyncrasies and raging alcoholism endearing or amusing.
There's a Big Secret, of course, which we get to hear near the end of the book, but by then, I was so weary of worrying that nobody would ever diagnose and treat this poor girl that it just felt like more manipulation.
I don't like to be yanked around by an author looking for some horrifying twists to support pathos. I heard such good things about this book, but I found it disappointing. Three stars.
The book made me profoundly uncomfortable, especially near the beginning. I didn't find it 'hilarious' or even heart-tugging. I kept trying to figure out what was wrong with Eleanor Oliphant, because something clearly was.
The book was strongly reminiscent of 'The Rosie Project,' another crowd-pleasing book that I didn't really care for, where the protagonist was on the autism spectrum, but finds a sweet girl to marry him--getting married was his 'project.' Eleanor also has a similar project, but the reader is supposed to find her fantasies, weird idiosyncrasies and raging alcoholism endearing or amusing.
There's a Big Secret, of course, which we get to hear near the end of the book, but by then, I was so weary of worrying that nobody would ever diagnose and treat this poor girl that it just felt like more manipulation.
I don't like to be yanked around by an author looking for some horrifying twists to support pathos. I heard such good things about this book, but I found it disappointing. Three stars.
oliveweizen's review against another edition
4.0
Fascinating, quirky, devastating all the way through. If you’re not interested in a main character who comes across as unlikeable, this may not be the book for you. I adore Eleanor Oliphant and Raymond and every other beautifully written character we meet throughout the book. I’d definitely recommend it!
heathsuz's review against another edition
4.0
Interesting story - dark premise but entertaining and even funny at times. Sympathetic and heartwarming and just enough to keep me curious throughout. I never got bored or annoyed.
shakespeareanqueer's review against another edition
dark
emotional
funny
mysterious
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
3.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Addiction, Alcoholism, Child abuse, Emotional abuse, Mental illness, Toxic relationship, Violence, Grief, Suicide attempt, Fire/Fire injury, and Alcohol
Moderate: Child death, Death, Suicidal thoughts, Vomit, and Gaslighting
Minor: Domestic abuse, Fatphobia, Physical abuse, Rape, Self harm, Sexual assault, Forced institutionalization, Stalking, and Death of parent
divaingreen's review against another edition
5.0
I went into this book not expecting anything. My husband had read it and just kept telling me how weird it was.
Well. I finished it very quickly.
It was unusual for sure.
But it was a beautifully written, dark, unboxing of trauma. At the same time a story of hope and growth.
CW for suicide attempt, childhood trauma, death of a loved one, and mentions of sexual abuse.
Well. I finished it very quickly.
It was unusual for sure.
But it was a beautifully written, dark, unboxing of trauma. At the same time a story of hope and growth.
CW for suicide attempt, childhood trauma, death of a loved one, and mentions of sexual abuse.