Three things about Elsie

[Twogirlsandme]

I've started this twice and given up a few chapters in. Is it worth persevering? I hate giving up on books.

I thought it was terrible. If I can find my review from the 50 books thread I will post it.

Here it is

This book is basically a weaker rerun of the author's debut The Trouble with Goats and Sheep. Apart from the fact that it is set in a retirement village rather than a cul-de-sac. It is the story of Florence, slipping into dementia but knowing a terrible secret that no one will listen too. Elizabeth is Missing did it better and in less pages. A laboured use of the unreliable narrator.
It is full of 'humorous' dialogue, aiming for the Victoria Wood feel but which mostly fall flat.
There is a timeline set out clearly at the beginning of the novel, yet I felt the author flaunted it throughout. I know I am not engaged in a book when I start searching for implausibilities and plot holes.
I found it boring. Everything is tied up too neatly. It is whimsical and sentimental but not in a good way. It will however be a commercial success.
In terms of whether it deserves it's place on the Women's Prize Long List I would say absolutely not. Eleanor Oliphant is a better book, but if the judges really want humour and accessibility on the short list they would be better looking to The Mermaid and Mrs Hancock which is vibrant, original and a far more crafted novel.

The worst book I have read this year. I agree with everything splother says. It actually makes me angry thinking about it. The representation of an older person with cognitive decline is bullshit, the plot is nonsense, the author labours to shoe horn in a ‘wise life reflection’ at any opportunity, the characters and dialogue could only exist in a novel and the overall theme of ‘even people with little lives can make a difference’ is patronising, nauseatingly sentimental and gave me the repeated toe splay.

I absolutely loved it.

I also didn’t really like this book. I would say that if you have already tried twice and have failed to connect with it then leave it and read something else.

It's one of the only books I've given up on.

I hated The Trouble with Goats and Sheep

Really interesting that others had the same experience. I think I'll pass it on