Eleanor Olliphant

[cleofatra]

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

I was recommended it by a friend who indentified with it and thought I might too, btw.

Done! Thank god that's over.
What next I wonder?

So what did you think of it?

I absolutely loved it

southeastdweller

I think on the positive side, the story did get a bit more interesting and the main character became less unlikeable. (Not because of her circumstances making me think if her differently but because the author write her as less rude as time went on).

On the "not so positive", it was SO predictable. I guessed everything that was to unfold and felt a bit like "oh, was that it then" at the end. A bit "same old, same old".

I should have know better. I feel this was just another "chick lit", "pap" kind of book. I HATE Jodi Picoult books and the like and didn't realise this was going to be THAT sort of book. I thought it was going to be a little "magical" so was disappointed in that.

oops,
I used bloody Grammarly as well but missed my typos

of her circumstances making me think OF her differently but because the author WRITES her as less rude as time went on).

I loved it. I think your supposed to know the ending throughout, it's not supposed to be a twist. I didnt think Eleanor was unlikeabe, as a person yes she was unlikable but I had a lot of empathy for her as a character.

Yes dish agree entirely - the point was that she gets less “rude” ie more socially aware as she gets more involved in life; her character development is the story.

I don’t read Jodi Picoult but thought her books were more issue driven than character driven, like this was.

Bloody dreadful. Painfully predictable and I thought it was quite insulting to survivors of abuse in childhood.

Do you know, I'm so sorry I had no idea there was a book of the month thread on this - just found it. Apologies.

I loved it too. I hope there will be a second book about Eleanor. I really liked her.

SoleBizzz, is the childhood abuse the bit readers are supposed to 'work out'? Is that a spoiler?

My colleague recommended this and I really liked it , and her . It’s not a literary classic but her voice really sticks with you . I really liked her character and her voice and I was rooting for her . If only everyone could survive like her

I am loving this book

Her loneliness is heartbreaking she is locked into a life that she feels safe in

I am not sure why it’s an insult to adults who have suffered abuse as a child I could certainly relate to some of it

Aha! I read this, thought it was dull as dishwater but thought it was just me. Glad to hear it's not!

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!

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

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.

aliasgrape yes agree it didn’t need it really.

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, I feel the same. Didn't like it, didn't hate it.
I think maybe the disappointment is due to the hype and the book not matching.

For what its worth, I grew up in a home with many similarities (not the extreme part) and found it a bit...meh. Oddly, I just realised I was pretty much the same age when my life changed too.

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.

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.

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!

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.