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Eleanor Oiliphant is absolutely fine

51 replies

MipMipMip · 28/08/2018 11:10

Please tell me it cheers up! About to meet Raymond's mother and I'm getting seriously depressed.....

OP posts:
buckeejit · 28/08/2018 11:18

Just stick with it, you'll probably like it more at the end.

MipMipMip · 28/08/2018 13:33

Chers. At present I'm just uncomfortable.

OP posts:
Deliphant · 28/08/2018 16:22

Also reading this at moment - not feeling the love yet!

Reminds me of the Rosie Project, but in that I had a clear mental image of what the chap was like, but I'm finding I've not got that with Eleanor.

Will persevere.

LoveManyTrustfew · 28/08/2018 16:24

It is utterly brilliant.

MargoLovebutter · 28/08/2018 16:24

Stick with it. I really struggled initially but now I've finished it, I'm glad I did.

annandale · 28/08/2018 16:25

Everybody i know who has read it liked it except me so well worth continuing.

CherryMaraschino · 28/08/2018 16:26

Gosh, I found it a bit overly look-on-the-bright-side-ish, if that makes sense, although still a good read. Think that says terrible things about me..

CarolinePooter · 28/08/2018 16:32

Sorry, I also tried and failed. The character seemed cardboard. Unless that was a deliberate thing to give some surreal charm? Maybe I am too impatient. Luckily, it was a library book, so no loss!

OzymandiasFanClub · 28/08/2018 16:42

I really enjoyed it.There are funny elements. And there are savagely painful elements. But ultimately, it is hopeful.

At first I thought it was going to be kooky singleton drinks too much ( oh how funny, not). Then it reminded me of a modern Jane Austen comedy of manners where the heroine is on the spectrum.
But really, it's more like The Bell Jar- first person account of mental anguish- how loneliness and aloneness can be helped by everyday, small acts of kindness and affection.

I never recommend sticking with a boom if you're really not enjoying it but I thought it was very good.

southeastdweller · 28/08/2018 16:47

I thought it was awful. I didn't believe in any of it.

shumway · 28/08/2018 16:49

I didn't like it. Not well written.

KakunaRattata · 28/08/2018 16:54

Such a relief that other people thought it was rubbish, everyone on fb seems to rave about it but I just thought it was a bit crap and not very believable.

MipMipMip · 28/08/2018 17:54

Glad I'm not the only one seeing The Rosie Project in it. Although I found that far better written.

I will persevere for a bit but give up if it doesn't improve. Thanks all!

OP posts:
ggirl · 28/08/2018 17:58

I liked it , thought the way of writing reflected her personality that was quite rigid in thinking . I did find the ending a bit hurried though..hate when an author does that.

PastramiAndRye · 28/08/2018 18:02

@OzymandiasFanClub it really reminded me of The Bell Jar. I absolutely loved it and couldn't put it down.

I thought Gail Honeyman did a fab job of describing a flawed main character!

OzymandiasFanClub · 28/08/2018 18:44

@PastramiAndRye It also reminded me of Janice Galloway's The Trick Is To Keep Breathing - another fabulous but gruelling first person account of mental illness. JG gets some sort of reference at the beginning of EO- I can't remember whether the book is actually dedicated to her??? It's gone back to the library now....
Anyway, thoroughly recommend the Janice Galloway if you have enjoyed Eleanor Oliphant and The Bell Jar. I read it years/ decades??? ago when it first came out. I remember staying up all night reading it, equally shocked, appalled and enthralled. It's a cracker.
If it's not available from your library, abebooks have several copies for around 3 quid inc postage.

GinisLife · 28/08/2018 19:06

Awwww I liked it. I couldn't put it down. She's meant to be socially inept.

woodfires · 28/08/2018 19:11

I enjoyed it more and more as I read on, it is one of my books from last years reading that I kept, due to capacity issues most move on, although I always have a fondness for Glaswegian books.

woodfires · 28/08/2018 19:12

Thanks pp for other similar recommendations.

Sallystyle · 29/08/2018 23:27

I loved it.

She is completely fine :)

HannahnotAgnes · 29/08/2018 23:34

I absolutely loved it.

wibblywobblyfish · 29/08/2018 23:36

I enjoyed it, however I had worked out the plot and ending by about 1/3 or the way in.

KTyoupigeon · 29/08/2018 23:38

Took it on holiday - left it on holiday! Really couldn't get on with it at all

Deadringer · 29/08/2018 23:39

It took me a while to get into it too but I really enjoyed it and am glad I stuck with it.

HowDoIGetOffTheBus · 29/08/2018 23:42

I loved it from the start, was totally hooked - well worth sticking with.

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