Eleanor Olliphant

Oops I did not get that at all about the mum

Mother died in the fire. This was EO’s imaginary conversation with the abusive woman she never got to confront as an adult. As her healing went on her need for this conversation diminished.

I’ve just finished it - I loved it even if the ending was slightly cliched.

I don’t think they said that the mother died in the fire - I think she’s a real person

I've just finished and loved it. Can someone explain who the 'mother' on the phone was if her mother died in the fire? Ooh I've just thought she might have been an imaginary figure.

I had high expectations of this after all the media hype. It's not literary fiction but nor is it 'pulp'. I found the depiction of the socially isolated quite accurate - especially the socially isolated and intelligent but lacking in all social skills and empathy type of person.

As many have said, the first two thirds is more 'honestly' written than the last third where the drive for a 'happy' resolution seems to overcome the desire for verisimilitude.

I thought the therapy and its effects were well portrayed.

Sadly the consideration for Eleanor shown by the other characters is probably a weakness in the narrative and where I felt it was least 'realistic'.

There was definitely a sense of her 'getting better' too quickly but it is an enjoyable read.

Finished it this morning and I'm bereft!

I LOVED it and the characters of Eleanor and Raymond.

Best book I've read in a long time.

I can't even remember!! I only read it at Christmas time.

I didn’t finish it as I just found it so dull but I guess the mother tried to set her on fire? Were we ever told why?

I started reading it on a flight and was wondering whether Eleanor would turn out to be mentally ill, autistic, or some other twist. She was a bit perplexing and the little hints kept me pushing me to read more and quickly. I ended up staying up late on the first night of the holiday to get as close to finishing it as possible. It was an intriguing read with a good character arc.

i loved it. read it in one sitting cover to cover while on a long train journey. it did remind me in parts of "The Rosie project" but so what? Really enjoyed the book.

I really liked it! Waiting for someone else to read it that I know to see what they think.

I struggled with the first half - found it cringey. But I did like the exploration of loneliness and the small moments of connection.

I agree that it didn't necessarily need the back story of abuse - it could have just been a story of loneliness and connection. But then it might have lacked appeal to people who like the misery memoir genre.

Moments of artistry in the way the growing awakening was portrayed but overall not that keen.

I LOVED it. If you don't like it now, it won't improve for you

I finished this this morning and I really did love Eleanor, she was so genuinely baffled by other people but it was easy to see why. I’d started to work out what had happened to her early on but it still made me cry when it eventually came out. I really loved this book.

I’m going to read the rest of the thread now.

I’ve just finished reading this book, and loved it. I too thought she was autistic, as she reminded me of my autistic son. But at the end I think her traumatic past made her that way. I would love to read a follow up.

Oh I didn’t mean she wouldn’t do a good job of it! I just meant I wondered if it would actually ever get made.

Well I thought she did a good job of Big Little Lies but I’m annoyed they are making a second one.

I’m already seeing Elisabeth Moss as Eleanor!

I’m only on chapter 5 so haven’t rtft to avoid any spoilers, but this is making me feel quite sad. Every time she mentions her jerkin I want to cry.

I’m not too excited about the idea of Reese Witherspoon buying the film rights tbh. Jennifer Aniston bought Jane Fallon’s Getting Rid of Matthew years ago and hasn’t done anything with it yet. It seems to just be a way of preventing anyone else making the film and keeping it in your own back pocket rather than a sign of actual intent to make it.

Oh dear I’ve just bought this on audio books and I’m really enjoying it! I’ve never had anaudio book before I’m
Loving the experience. I haven’t read all this thread as I don’t want spoilers. Reese Witherspoon is making it into a film.

The back story was the only interesting bit I thought. I don't know anything about trauma survivors so if it's an accurate portrayal, that is genuinely interesting. For the first chunk of the book I thought she had autism and I found the conversations very very painful to read.
I enjoyed the second half of the book. But really struggled with the first half.

aliasgrape yes agree it didn’t need it really.

I read it last week on holiday and really enjoyed it. Ok, the back story was a little OTT but I found it funny and poignant and very readable.

I listened to the audiobook which was well done, I think that helped. I was disappointed that they had to give Eleanor quite such a horrific/dramatic backstory as I went in expecting a look at loneliness and isolation that would be slightly more relatable- people can be dreadfully lonely without such incredible reasons, and I almost found it less moving as a result of being less believable. But I didn’t hate it either. sits on fence

On chapter 4 and enjoying it so far....it’s an easy read, tad bit silly compared to my normal read but okay and at times funny!