Eleanor Olliphant

[cleofatra]

Does it get better? I am constantly fighting an urge not to throw it across the room
Up to chapter 7

[cleofatra]

Oops to the misspelt title.

[EmilyDickinson]

I enjoyed it but I'm not certain that it gets "better" if you're at chapter 7 and finding it irritating. What is it that you don't like about it?

I suspected from the start that there was more to Eleanor than met the eye and that there were reasons why she was so judgemental and misanthropic so I was intrigued rather than irritated by her.

[Backingvocals]

I’m not enjoying it yet either. Her oddness is making me tense. There’s obviously a big reason that I haven’t uncovered yet but I’m hoping it becomes a more comfortable read - having a very stressful time atm and was looking for something pleasant and reviving.

[HuckfromScandal]

I didn’t enjoy it up to chapter 4, but persevered.
Suddenly clicked - and I have just fishies it. Loved it - I would stick with it if I was you

[FanDabbyFloozy]

I scan read a whole section of the book as I found Eleanor to be an uncomfortable main character and not someone I could empathise with at all. However it is very good at the end so hang in there!

[southeastdweller]

Hated it. Unfunny, dishonest and implausible crap.

[Movingonuppppp]

I LOVED this book. Couldn’t put it down!

[WeAreGerbil]

I gave up, too slow, though I'm intrigued in what others see in it. Not intrigued enough to give it another go though!

[cleofatra]

I will read on. I am finding the language, particularly the dialogue laboured and false and absolutely HATE the lead character. It's SO boring so far. I imagine there is a point to making her so unlikeable and I will reach a part that changes my viewpoint.
Persevere, I will. (Wow, that was a bit YODA)

[cleofatra]

Oh and I WILL continue. Because I paid for it.

[Thisimmortalcurl]

I really loved this book as did the 4 other people I lent it to.

[Dolphincrossing]

cleo

I wasn’t a fan, but book group have chosen it

[BradleyPooper]

I loved it and loved her, it's the only book that my entire book club has ever liked.

Reese Witherspoon has bought the movie rights....

[mamaduckbone]

Oh, I loved it, but if you’re up to chapter 7 and not enjoying it then you probably won’t. I was interested in her and you do learn more about why she is the way she is later.

[MyBrilliantDisguise]

I hated it until she went for a wax.

[Growingboys]

I loved it right from the start and am recommending it to everyone. DH is on it now - not sure what he'll make of it though.

I thought it was cleverly observed and funny.

[Dolphincrossing]

For me, it just wasn’t remotely believable, and to like and be charmed by a character, they have to be credible.

[SatsukiKusakabe]

It definitely polarising - I for one recognised a fellow weirdo and didn’t find her implausible or irritating at all. But the point of the book is a character arc - she learns to consider other people and through that take an interest in herself and generally tighten her grip on life. If she started out with all that in place where is there for her to go?

[DisabledUserName]

I loved it. I was intrigued as to the character and was wondering different things that could have led to her personality and quirks. I found the ending unexpected and satisfiying also. I wanted to know more about her life as her journey continues but doubt it lends itself to a sequel, but who knows. Really good read for me.

[fannyfelcher]

I totally agree with the people that said the dialogue was laboured, it was so bad in parts, it made my teeth itch. I found it kind of predictable apart from the bit about the mum but I was pretty much spot on with everything else. But that is a problem when you read, as a writer. You see plot holes and future events like they are lit with neon.

[KadabrasSpoon]

It gets better when she starts hanging out with the IT guy. I also wasn't getting into at first.

[EmmaGrundyForPM]

I thought it was awful. Badly written and unbelievable. I only finished it because it was a book group book. Half the book group hated it and half of them loved it.

[PQ77]

Totally agree with your assessment OP. You're not alone.

[SatsukiKusakabe]

Plot wise - the reader was supposed to put together what her story was before she did - the point was her reaching a position of self awareness and facing up to something she had blocked. It wasn’t meant to be a twist as such.

[EmilyDickinson]

Some of the dialogue is clunky, but I think that that is intentional. Eleanor is odd. Without giving too much away she hasn't had a very normal upbringing, loves unusual words and is quite isolated. That shows both in her behaviour and her speech. I liked the book because we all know people a bit like this. The ones who don't quite fit in. Who seem strange, rude, standoffish. Who can be the target of bullies or gossip because they seem a bit weird. I think this book suggests that perhaps we all need to be a bit more understanding and a bit less judgemental of those who don't fit in.