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Tage wie Salz und Zucker
Ein schwerer Fall von Leben
Ellen Homes liebt es, ihre Mitmenschen zu beobachten – sie selbst aber möchte nicht gesehen werden. Sie versteckt sich hinter zu vielen Kilos und ihr Gesicht hinter langen Haaren. Nachts putzt sie in einem Riesensupermarkt.
Eines Tages trifft Ellen im Bus eine junge Frau: Temerity ist blind, sprüht vor Lebensfreude, hat keinerlei Berührungsängste. Sie ist der erste Mensch seit langem, der Ellen "sieht". Die folgt ihr fasziniert und rettet sie prompt vor zwei Handtaschendieben. Fortan ist nichts mehr, wie es war. Temerity lockt Ellen gnadenlos aus der Reserve. Zusammen fangen die beiden ungleichen Freundinnen an, sich einzumischen – immer da, wo jemand sich nicht wehren kann oder wo Unrecht geschieht. Sehr schnell wirbeln sie jede Menge Staub auf ...
"Die gefühlvolle, bewegende Geschichte einer Frau auf der Reservebank des Lebens. Ein Buch für jeden, der sich jemals unbedeutsam gefühlt hat. Und wer hat das nicht? Ein wunderbarer, unwiderstehlicher Roman über eine Frau, die man so schnell nicht mehr vergisst." (Kristin Hannah)
Ellen Homes liebt es, ihre Mitmenschen zu beobachten – sie selbst aber möchte nicht gesehen werden. Sie versteckt sich hinter zu vielen Kilos und ihr Gesicht hinter langen Haaren. Nachts putzt sie in einem Riesensupermarkt.
Eines Tages trifft Ellen im Bus eine junge Frau: Temerity ist blind, sprüht vor Lebensfreude, hat keinerlei Berührungsängste. Sie ist der erste Mensch seit langem, der Ellen "sieht". Die folgt ihr fasziniert und rettet sie prompt vor zwei Handtaschendieben. Fortan ist nichts mehr, wie es war. Temerity lockt Ellen gnadenlos aus der Reserve. Zusammen fangen die beiden ungleichen Freundinnen an, sich einzumischen – immer da, wo jemand sich nicht wehren kann oder wo Unrecht geschieht. Sehr schnell wirbeln sie jede Menge Staub auf ...
"Die gefühlvolle, bewegende Geschichte einer Frau auf der Reservebank des Lebens. Ein Buch für jeden, der sich jemals unbedeutsam gefühlt hat. Und wer hat das nicht? Ein wunderbarer, unwiderstehlicher Roman über eine Frau, die man so schnell nicht mehr vergisst." (Kristin Hannah)
332 pages, Kindle Edition
First published May 29, 2014
45 people are currently reading
2172 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 300 reviews
February 27, 2014
I'll be honest... when I first *heard* about this book I was worried it was going to be one of those chick-lit novels where the heroine's issues are ridiculously superficial, trite, and easily overcome. (As a plus-sized woman, I'm always suspicious of novels with overweight protagonists that seem to end with "and she got skinny, then got self-esteem, and lived happily ever after".) Luckily, this is an entirely different/better kind of novel. Ellen has real challenges and is an interesting, unique, well-developed character. The changes that are sparked by one interaction with the world around her - stopping the mugging of a blind woman - are small, slow, and progress very organically. The dynamic of the friendship between Ellen and Temerity is believable and refreshingly different than how women's friendships are often portrayed. Without being syrupy, or trying to cram feel-good heartfelt inspirational warm-fuzzies down the reader's throat, this story genuinely made me want to be alert for opportunities to perform random acts of human kindness. Not too light but not too heavy, the book was an enjoyable (and often very funny) read.
March 12, 2016
INVISIBLE ELLEN is so many things. It is funny and sometimes very sad, but it is also a really awesome read. Shari Shattuck's writing is very descriptive and it made me feel as if I were right there, feeling everything Ellen was going through. Shari does a great job with all the characters and allows the reader to get inside their heads and hearts. I found myself cheering for Ellen and Temerity as well as all the other characters that pull on your heart strings. INVISIBLE ELLEN will inspire hope in all its readers and maybe even get them thinking about changing their situations. I really was hoping to get to know Temerity's brother, Justice much better but maybe that will happen in the sequel, Emerging Ellen, which I can't wait to read. I'm excited to read more of Shari Shattuck's books.
May 25, 2014
I actually finished reading this book a few days ago, but I put off writing a review because I feel like nothing I say will do it justice, nor do I want to give away the story... So I'll do my very best on all accounts...
Our main character, Ellen, has spent her 24 years trying - and succeeding - in becoming invisible, because being seen means being hurt. She works nights as a cleaner at Costco, and spends her days sleeping. She has no friends, and she likes it that way. She curbs her anxiety by eating, and people-watching. She considers her neighbors her "pets", and keeps detailed notes on their activities.
Then one day, intrigued by a blind woman who can "see" - or rather, feel - her, she follows ... and her life changes. And changes quickly... and for the better, and in ways Ellen would never would have expected.
The author does a fantastic job with this book, which is told in third person but from Ellen's point of view (POV). The POV never wavers... which had to have been difficult to maintain. Also, with a topic like this, it could have been easy for the story to veer into sticky-sweet sentimentality or, even worse, downright depression at what Ellen and her neighbors and co-workers had to endure, but the author kept a perfect balance. She also included touches of humor, which were also perfect complements to the story.
Her writing is also lovely and descriptive - I often felt like I was right there, with Ellen, either cleaning or hanging out with her new friend, Temerity, the blind girl. (Isn't that a fabulous name?!??!)
I love Ellen, I love Temerity. My only negative comment is that, like another reviewer, I would have liked to have gotten to know Temerity's brother Justice a little better... but we can hope that he gets to shine in "Emerging Ellen", the sequel (per the author's blog). (Which I'm not sure I can wait for!)
Like Ellen, I spent my childhood trying to be invisible, and for much the same reasons (tho thankfully the reasons aren't as horrible as what Ellen endured). I was also horribly shy. Unlike Ellen, I was bound and determined NOT to remain invisible, and to shake off the shyness. (And today, most people don't believe me when I say I used to be shy.) But I could relate to her story, to her desires, and to her shock when things changed for her. Yes, things kind of just happened, but she also *made* them happen, just like I did.
I cannot wait for the sequel, and I think *everyone* should read this book. Highly ~ a million stars ~ recommended.
Our main character, Ellen, has spent her 24 years trying - and succeeding - in becoming invisible, because being seen means being hurt. She works nights as a cleaner at Costco, and spends her days sleeping. She has no friends, and she likes it that way. She curbs her anxiety by eating, and people-watching. She considers her neighbors her "pets", and keeps detailed notes on their activities.
Then one day, intrigued by a blind woman who can "see" - or rather, feel - her, she follows ... and her life changes. And changes quickly... and for the better, and in ways Ellen would never would have expected.
The author does a fantastic job with this book, which is told in third person but from Ellen's point of view (POV). The POV never wavers... which had to have been difficult to maintain. Also, with a topic like this, it could have been easy for the story to veer into sticky-sweet sentimentality or, even worse, downright depression at what Ellen and her neighbors and co-workers had to endure, but the author kept a perfect balance. She also included touches of humor, which were also perfect complements to the story.
Her writing is also lovely and descriptive - I often felt like I was right there, with Ellen, either cleaning or hanging out with her new friend, Temerity, the blind girl. (Isn't that a fabulous name?!??!)
I love Ellen, I love Temerity. My only negative comment is that, like another reviewer, I would have liked to have gotten to know Temerity's brother Justice a little better... but we can hope that he gets to shine in "Emerging Ellen", the sequel (per the author's blog). (Which I'm not sure I can wait for!)
Like Ellen, I spent my childhood trying to be invisible, and for much the same reasons (tho thankfully the reasons aren't as horrible as what Ellen endured). I was also horribly shy. Unlike Ellen, I was bound and determined NOT to remain invisible, and to shake off the shyness. (And today, most people don't believe me when I say I used to be shy.) But I could relate to her story, to her desires, and to her shock when things changed for her. Yes, things kind of just happened, but she also *made* them happen, just like I did.
I cannot wait for the sequel, and I think *everyone* should read this book. Highly ~ a million stars ~ recommended.
July 23, 2014
Invisible Ellen is such a good book! It's funny, witty, adventurous, heartfelt, a little sad, but very real. Ellen Homes lives on the sidelines and she does so on purpose. It helps her stay invisible. If people don't notice her, they can't hurt her. But an impulsive decision to do a good deed one day changes everything. For a few minutes, Ellen was a participant in life and she "felt" something. I am not going to say anything more about the storyline because I refuse to spoil the fun, but this was such fun to read. Invisible Ellen is the first book I have ever read by the author, Shari Shattuck, so I wasn't sure what to expect, but I was pleasantly surprised. Something in every chapter made me laugh and put a smile on my face. If you are in the mood for a character-driven, feel-good book then please give Invisible Ellen a try.
My favorite quote:
You don't have to be blind to make a complete fool of yourself, and anyway, who cares?
My favorite quote:
You don't have to be blind to make a complete fool of yourself, and anyway, who cares?
December 27, 2017
Ellen Homes liebt es, ihre Mitmenschen zu beobachten - sie selbst aber möchte nicht gesehen werden. Sie versteckt sich hinter zu vielen Kilos und ihr Gesicht hinter langen Haaren. Nachts putzt sie in einem Riesensupermarkt. Eines Tages trifft Ellen im Bus eine junge Frau: Temerity ist blind, sprüht vor Lebensfreude, hat keinerlei Berührungsängste. Sie ist der erste Mensch seit langem, der Ellen «sieht». Die folgt ihr fasziniert und rettet sie prompt vor zwei Handtaschendieben. Fortan ist nichts mehr, wie es war. Temerity lockt Ellen gnadenlos aus der Reserve. Zusammen fangen die beiden ungleichen Freundinnen an, sich einzumischen - immer da, wo jemand sich nicht wehren kann oder wo Unrecht geschieht. Sehr schnell wirbeln sie jede Menge Staub auf ...
Die ersten 100 Seiten haben mir sehr gut gefallen. Wir lernen hier sympathische Protagonisten kennen und schmunzeln mehr als einmal. Allerdings wird die Häufigkeit der Situationen, in denen das Einmischen der beiden Damen durch Zufälle begünstigt wird irgendwann zunehmend unrealistisch, so dass der Lesespass eingebüßt wird. 100 Seiten, 2 Aktion-Kampfszenen und 10 belauschte Gespräche weniger hätten der Geschichte gut getan. Dass alles so übertrieben wurde hat mir das Buch, das mir von Grundaussage und dem Schreibstil her ansonsten gut gefallen hätte, leider verleidet.
Die ersten 100 Seiten haben mir sehr gut gefallen. Wir lernen hier sympathische Protagonisten kennen und schmunzeln mehr als einmal. Allerdings wird die Häufigkeit der Situationen, in denen das Einmischen der beiden Damen durch Zufälle begünstigt wird irgendwann zunehmend unrealistisch, so dass der Lesespass eingebüßt wird. 100 Seiten, 2 Aktion-Kampfszenen und 10 belauschte Gespräche weniger hätten der Geschichte gut getan. Dass alles so übertrieben wurde hat mir das Buch, das mir von Grundaussage und dem Schreibstil her ansonsten gut gefallen hätte, leider verleidet.
September 1, 2014
Ellen Homes is 24 years old. She works nights on a cleaning crew at Costco. She lives alone with her cat in a tiny one room apartment in a bad neighborhood overrun by gangs and drug dealing. When Ellen isn't working, sleeping or eating junk food, she spies on her neighbors, who she considers her "pets." She has no social interaction with anyone - no family, no friends. In fact, Ellen considers herself invisible and that's the way she wants it. Physically and mentally scarred by an abusive parent and obese, she comforts herself by eating and recording the activities of her "pets," co-workers and random strangers in notebooks.
One day, Ellen encounters a blind young woman on the bus she takes to work every evening. The young woman engages Ellen in conversation, which puzzles Ellen - she is never noticed. Curiosity piqued, Ellen follows the young woman off the bus and trails her. On the way to her home, the young woman is mugged by thieves who cut the strap of her purse and flee. To her complete amazement, Ellen does something she never, ever does - she gets involved, tripping one of the thieves and recovering the young woman's purse. The grateful young woman, Temerity, gives Ellen her number and insists that Ellen call her so that she can reward her with a drink or a meal. Against all of her reclusive instincts, Ellen steps out of her comfort zone and calls her the next day - and her life is forever changed.
A fun and uplifting novel, but one you don't want to examine too closely. It's a feel-good fantasy - too many coincidences and everything wrapped up way too neatly, but there is a serious message behind it all.
A 3.5 for me.
One day, Ellen encounters a blind young woman on the bus she takes to work every evening. The young woman engages Ellen in conversation, which puzzles Ellen - she is never noticed. Curiosity piqued, Ellen follows the young woman off the bus and trails her. On the way to her home, the young woman is mugged by thieves who cut the strap of her purse and flee. To her complete amazement, Ellen does something she never, ever does - she gets involved, tripping one of the thieves and recovering the young woman's purse. The grateful young woman, Temerity, gives Ellen her number and insists that Ellen call her so that she can reward her with a drink or a meal. Against all of her reclusive instincts, Ellen steps out of her comfort zone and calls her the next day - and her life is forever changed.
A fun and uplifting novel, but one you don't want to examine too closely. It's a feel-good fantasy - too many coincidences and everything wrapped up way too neatly, but there is a serious message behind it all.
A 3.5 for me.
January 21, 2015
Man sagt ja, dass man ein Buch nicht nach seinem Einband beurteilen sollte und dennoch habe ich mich hier von dem hübschen Cover verleiten lassen. Ich wollte dieses Buch so gerne mögen! Die Geschichte hörte sich auch wirklich verheißungsvoll an und auch die Bewertungen waren nicht schlecht, aber es hat für mich einfach nicht funktioniert.
Bei der Protagonistin handelt es sich um die übergewichtige Ellen, die sich selbst für unsichtbar hält, keinerlei sozialen Kontakte hat und deren einziges Hobby essen ist. Bis sie sich mit Temerety anfreundet, die, gerade auf Grund ihrer Blindheit, Ellen eben doch sehen kann.
Zwar habe ich verstanden, dass Ellen mit ihrem Fresswahn ihre schwere Kindheit und ihre soziale Isolation kompensiert, aber für meinen Geschmack war es zu dick aufgetragen. Mir fiel es generell schwer, mich mit Ellen anzufreunden oder Sympathie für sie zu empfinden, da ich ihren Charakter einfach zu konstruiert fand. Schlimmer noch als Ellen, aber fand ich, Temerety, die ständig Witze gerissen hat, aber immer mit dem selben Thema, nämlich ihrer Blindheit. Das war einfach ermüdend und trieft nur so von Klischees.
Da auch noch die Handlung komplett von Zufällen getragen wird und die gesamte Geschichte fuer mich sehr unglaubwürdig war, habe ich mich dafür entschieden das Buch nach 20% abzubrechen.
Bei der Protagonistin handelt es sich um die übergewichtige Ellen, die sich selbst für unsichtbar hält, keinerlei sozialen Kontakte hat und deren einziges Hobby essen ist. Bis sie sich mit Temerety anfreundet, die, gerade auf Grund ihrer Blindheit, Ellen eben doch sehen kann.
Zwar habe ich verstanden, dass Ellen mit ihrem Fresswahn ihre schwere Kindheit und ihre soziale Isolation kompensiert, aber für meinen Geschmack war es zu dick aufgetragen. Mir fiel es generell schwer, mich mit Ellen anzufreunden oder Sympathie für sie zu empfinden, da ich ihren Charakter einfach zu konstruiert fand. Schlimmer noch als Ellen, aber fand ich, Temerety, die ständig Witze gerissen hat, aber immer mit dem selben Thema, nämlich ihrer Blindheit. Das war einfach ermüdend und trieft nur so von Klischees.
Da auch noch die Handlung komplett von Zufällen getragen wird und die gesamte Geschichte fuer mich sehr unglaubwürdig war, habe ich mich dafür entschieden das Buch nach 20% abzubrechen.
October 23, 2016
Ahhh. . . a determinedly feel-good novel that jumped into my hand off a library shelf, and proved just what the doctor ordered in the midst of this bad-tempered presidential election season. I had begun to doubt there was anything positive about the human condition, but now I have a smile on my face, at least for a while. Ellen is an overweight, facially disfigured woman who feels "invisible" until she has an unexpected run-in with a spunky blind woman (named "Temerity" of all things!) who brings her back into real life with spirit and humor. There were some unlikely coincidences, sure, but the author has a sure grasp of what "life on the fringes" is like, and Ellen felt very real. No magical happy-ever-after, but I cheered as Ellen found the courage to tiptoe out of her self-imposed isolation and found friends. A very positive, rewarding read.
October 7, 2023
Ellen, who grew up in the foster system and group homes, has always felt invisible. She works nights at Costco and doesn’t have any friends. When a blind woman on her bus is attacked, Ellen intervenes to help out, and the blind woman (Temerity) and Ellen become fast friends. In fact, they start (mostly at Temerity’s urging) getting themselves involved in various neighbours’ and coworkers’ lives, including the single pregnant neighbour, the neighbour who has been shot, and a coworker who is being sexually harassed by the boss.
I listened to the audio, and though it started off well, I tended to lose interest as we went along. There was a lot going on, and I had to wonder about the two of them sticking their noses into everyone’s business. Overall, I’m rating it ok for me.
I listened to the audio, and though it started off well, I tended to lose interest as we went along. There was a lot going on, and I had to wonder about the two of them sticking their noses into everyone’s business. Overall, I’m rating it ok for me.
May 8, 2023
My rating of this book might change over time. I thought the narration of the audiobook was great - it really portrayed the timid Ellen, the bouncy Temerity, and the kind Justice perfectly. The theme of true friendship and the illustration of how being cared for - or not - can really change a person are timeless. Some parts are cringey though.
Read
January 14, 2024When they make helping others a step toward adventures, character development, and lifelong friendships, this is it! ✨
This is an amazing story of two women, one shy and one bubbly, but both smart and kind, who met in a very unexpected way.
At first, the book has funny vibes but a sad undertone, but it drives in a positive way towards the end. 🥺
This is an amazing story of two women, one shy and one bubbly, but both smart and kind, who met in a very unexpected way.
At first, the book has funny vibes but a sad undertone, but it drives in a positive way towards the end. 🥺
July 30, 2014
Ugh. There are two main characters, Ellen & Temerity. Ellen is "invisible" because she basically has no self esteem, since she grew up in foster care and is larger. I have a hard time believing anyone whose favorite meal is bacon with white bread and has no taste for vegetables is "invisible". She may feel that way, but people I'm sure see her even if she chooses to not acknowledge it.
The other main character, Temerity is blind. Every joke she makes has the same basic punchline "See? cause I'm blind! I can't see!! Don't you get it?!?!?" That starts to wear thin. ["Get it?! Thin? Cause Ellen isn't?!?!? Hahahaha!] I'm all for poking fun at difficult situations to reclaim them, but where is the variety?
The story in itself is ok. So many obvious coincidences. I feel like the author set out to write a modern day Harriet the Spy in some respects but fell short. It's definitely readable, but I just wanted the whole thing to be over.
The other main character, Temerity is blind. Every joke she makes has the same basic punchline "See? cause I'm blind! I can't see!! Don't you get it?!?!?" That starts to wear thin. ["Get it?! Thin? Cause Ellen isn't?!?!? Hahahaha!] I'm all for poking fun at difficult situations to reclaim them, but where is the variety?
The story in itself is ok. So many obvious coincidences. I feel like the author set out to write a modern day Harriet the Spy in some respects but fell short. It's definitely readable, but I just wanted the whole thing to be over.
September 22, 2014
I wasn't sure what sort of book this was. It is about female friendship, but between two very odd and unlikely sources. The main character, Ellen is "invisible." She decides to keep herself hidden by being very discreet and a background player. Yet she has some sort of heroic persona because she suddenly decides to stop a mugging of the second main character, Teremity. Teremity is blind and lives with her seeing twin brother. The book is essentially about Ellen's habit of being a creeper. For Ellen has nothing else to do but to spy on her neighbors, eavesdrop on their conversations, and basically watch them like a mom watches a soap opera on a coach while her kids are in school. Ellen invites Teremity to spy after she 'accidentally' reads one her subjects mail and discovers that her pregnancy is about to end in adoption, but the dead father's sister wants to help raise the child. The plot is hugely far fetched ,and the main character is basically just a bit too creepy.
April 21, 2014
I loved this book for a myriad of reasons, not the least being that it is not your normal "fat-girl becomes skinny and gains confidence because she is now socially acceptable" story. Our main character, Ellen has real and deep rooted problems that have made her an observer of life, never really wanting to be part of it. Meeting and helping a blind woman is her first step to being part of the real world, or "visible" as Ellen sees things. Temerity doesn't care about Ellen's scars or weight, that helps Ellen to branch out, allow more people in and really start to live. This novel wraps several lives around itself, each story one that society could easily overlook. We are programmed to. What is amazing is what happens when you don't, Please, please read this book.
August 20, 2014
Chick lit. Fluffy nonsense. Ridiculous over the top antics, feel good silver lining characters.... everything I hate in a novel.
April 4, 2015
4 Sterne
Manchmal waren die Lösungen für die Probleme der diversen Figuren vielleicht etwas zu simpel gestrickt, aber in einem unterhaltsamen Feel Good-Roman ist das ja durchaus erlaubt. ;)
Manchmal waren die Lösungen für die Probleme der diversen Figuren vielleicht etwas zu simpel gestrickt, aber in einem unterhaltsamen Feel Good-Roman ist das ja durchaus erlaubt. ;)
May 7, 2018
An entertaining read, though it was a bit over the top at times. It really is a sweet story about helping others, and overcoming the past.
November 30, 2019
This book starts off something like, "Ellen didn't know she gained 273 pounds and became invisible." I listened to the audiobook so I can't reference back, but, damn!, that's a great opening line. Ellen's invisibility is both literal and metaphorical. She spends her free time spying on the neighbors and recording their activities in notebooks. The book starts with her using her bumbling invisibility to stop some bad men robbing a blind girl, and next thing she knows, she's up in the blind girl's apartment telling about her bizarre hobby to the blind girl and her brother while shrinking painfully because the brother can see her. And the brother is another person who keeps little notebooks full of the activities of humans, so he's another crazy person!, but he's not because he's an anthropology grad student! This book is a hugely subtle commentary on class, ability, perception, and society. It was mere fractions of a millimeter away from being aggressively twee and unreadable but it was so cute and it actually worked. Ellen and Temerity team up and by the end they've foiled a heist, rehomed two babies, solved a crime, and gotten up to all kinds of hijinks. Quite cute. Great audiobook. Well done!
March 31, 2023
Although the end was a little too neat, I enjoyed reading this story and watching as Ellen starts to become a little more visible. Her story is continued in Becoming Ellen, which I had to start reading right away.
Read
May 16, 2017DNF'd...I just couldn't get into this one
January 29, 2024
Listened to 60% and it just got too cringy to finish.
February 19, 2024
I really enjoyed this although I thought the ending was a bit disappointing. But the story of the girl who felt invisible and the blind girl who could 'see' her is really touching.
August 31, 2014
I don't know how Shari Shattuck got her perspective, but she succeeded where Shriver (Big Brother) failed. After having finished Big Brother, in fact, if I had remembered why Invisible Ellen was on my list, I might have passed.
I'm glad I didn't.
This is a book about a woman who has spent the first couple decades of her life perfecting the art of being invisible to other people. Between the way she walks, her posture, the way she smooths hair over her face, stays in corners, etc., she has essentially become "invisible" in society. The reason for this is several-fold, but essentially, her life was hard enough to make her uninterested in participating it. So she's happy with her chosen invisible life. She has no friends, no family, works the graveyard shift at Costco, etc. And yeah, she takes her comfort in comfort foods.. the worst of it. Anything bad for you is high on Ellen's list of to-eats.
Then one day, on her way to work, a blind woman stumbles into her on the bus, and treats her like everyone else. Which Ellen is not used to. This blind woman is charismatic, friendly, and full of life and intrigues Ellen. So when the blind woman gets off the spot, Ellen, who is very early for work and only couple spots away, decides to follow her a little. Lucky she did because two men decide they want to mug the blind woman and as they're running away, Ellen suddenly decides to do what she never does... get involved. Ellen recovers Temerity's purse and Temerity insists on thanking her with a meal.
Thus begins the unlikely and unusual friendship of Ellen and Temerity, which is really what this book is about. As the book proceeds, the reader is let into more and more of Ellen's past and why it was so horrible and why, among her weight and her half-burned face, she hates many common environments and peoples.
It is an encouraging, hopeful, and honest book. A lot of bad things surround Ellen and Temerity brings her light. But Ellen is also able to substantially give back to the relationship in ways that Ellen cannot understand are worthwhile. Due in part to Ellen's ability to blend in with the background, she is privy to a lot of private information in the world, which she and Temerity decide to interfere in, just a little.
The book is funny, light, heavy, and moving. It's not perfect---Temerity's over-the-top laughing at herself wears a little thin and their involvement in some of the stories around them is a little-less-than convincing---but it's really very good.
And it does a really great job of providing a little insight into how someone like Ellen lives, why, and where it all leads, or can lead. I really enjoyed this and I'm thoroughly glad I read it.
And I'd definitely recommend the book. Especially to people who are seeking more understanding into the inner psyche of someone who has placed themselves on the fringes of society. Obviously everyone is different and has a different story, but here's one that makes sense and was presented in a respectful and, as I say, honest way. FOUR+ stars!
I'm glad I didn't.
This is a book about a woman who has spent the first couple decades of her life perfecting the art of being invisible to other people. Between the way she walks, her posture, the way she smooths hair over her face, stays in corners, etc., she has essentially become "invisible" in society. The reason for this is several-fold, but essentially, her life was hard enough to make her uninterested in participating it. So she's happy with her chosen invisible life. She has no friends, no family, works the graveyard shift at Costco, etc. And yeah, she takes her comfort in comfort foods.. the worst of it. Anything bad for you is high on Ellen's list of to-eats.
Then one day, on her way to work, a blind woman stumbles into her on the bus, and treats her like everyone else. Which Ellen is not used to. This blind woman is charismatic, friendly, and full of life and intrigues Ellen. So when the blind woman gets off the spot, Ellen, who is very early for work and only couple spots away, decides to follow her a little. Lucky she did because two men decide they want to mug the blind woman and as they're running away, Ellen suddenly decides to do what she never does... get involved. Ellen recovers Temerity's purse and Temerity insists on thanking her with a meal.
Thus begins the unlikely and unusual friendship of Ellen and Temerity, which is really what this book is about. As the book proceeds, the reader is let into more and more of Ellen's past and why it was so horrible and why, among her weight and her half-burned face, she hates many common environments and peoples.
It is an encouraging, hopeful, and honest book. A lot of bad things surround Ellen and Temerity brings her light. But Ellen is also able to substantially give back to the relationship in ways that Ellen cannot understand are worthwhile. Due in part to Ellen's ability to blend in with the background, she is privy to a lot of private information in the world, which she and Temerity decide to interfere in, just a little.
The book is funny, light, heavy, and moving. It's not perfect---Temerity's over-the-top laughing at herself wears a little thin and their involvement in some of the stories around them is a little-less-than convincing---but it's really very good.
And it does a really great job of providing a little insight into how someone like Ellen lives, why, and where it all leads, or can lead. I really enjoyed this and I'm thoroughly glad I read it.
And I'd definitely recommend the book. Especially to people who are seeking more understanding into the inner psyche of someone who has placed themselves on the fringes of society. Obviously everyone is different and has a different story, but here's one that makes sense and was presented in a respectful and, as I say, honest way. FOUR+ stars!
January 15, 2015
"Dieses Buch ist für alle, die je das Gefühl hatten, nicht zu zählen.
Du zählst...."
Was erwartet man, wenn ein Buch mit so einer Widmung beginnt? Kitsch? Schmalz? Große Gefühle? Oder doch vielleicht eine echte, ehrliche Geschichte über eine Außenseiterin, die niemand sieht und die gar nicht mehr gesehen werden will?
Ich habe das Buch in den letzten Tagen gelesen und jedes Wort genossen.
Die beiden Hauptfiguren sind so unglaublich symphatisch und dabei auch so echt, dass man gar nicht anders kann, als sie zu mögen. Ellen, die Hauptfigur, aus deren Sicht die Geschichte erzählt wird, hatte bis jetzt kein gutes Leben. Sie hat sehr schlimme Dinge mit ihrer Mutter erleben müssen, ist von Pflegefamilie zu Pflegefamilie "gewandert" und ist für ihre Umwelt bewusst "unsichtbar" geworden. Allerdings macht sie das zu einer perfekten Beobachterin von allem, was um sie herum geschieht. Ihre Sicht auf die Dinge ist durch all das, was sie durchmachen musste, geprägt. Ihre Perspektive ist eine besondere.
Dann tritt Temerity in ihr Leben, die trotz ihrer Blindheit Ellen "sieht". Die beiden verbindet bald eine gute Freundschaft, was für Ellen, eine völlig neue Perspektive auf ihr eigenes, aber auch auf das Leben ihrer Mitmenschen bringt.
Was die beiden jungen Frauen auf ihrem gemeinsamen Weg nun erleben, ist manchmal ein bisschen unglaubwürdig und sehr rasant. Aber das hat mich nicht gestört, denn darum geht es in der Geschichte auch gar nicht. Ellens Gefühlswelt, ihre Gedanken, ihre Perspektive, sind für diese Geschichte bedeutsam. Ich habe das Gefühl, dass die Autorin weiß, wovon sie schreibt. Sie ist eine gute Beobachterin, ähnlich wie Ellen eben.
In ihrer Danksagung schreibt die Autorin, dass Seele und Freundlichkeit nichts mit der äußeren Erscheinung zu tun haben. Meiner Meinung nach ist es ihr gelungen, Widmung und Danksagung in dieser Geschichte in Einklang zu bringen und das auf meine sehr warmherzige Weise.
Besonders beeindruckt haben mich beispielsweise die Momente, in denen Ellen etwas erlebt, was irgend etwas in ihrer abgestumpften Gefühlswelt rührt, was ihren Schutzwall bröckeln lässt.
Von mir bekommt dieses einfühlsame 5 Sterne.
Du zählst...."
Was erwartet man, wenn ein Buch mit so einer Widmung beginnt? Kitsch? Schmalz? Große Gefühle? Oder doch vielleicht eine echte, ehrliche Geschichte über eine Außenseiterin, die niemand sieht und die gar nicht mehr gesehen werden will?
Ich habe das Buch in den letzten Tagen gelesen und jedes Wort genossen.
Die beiden Hauptfiguren sind so unglaublich symphatisch und dabei auch so echt, dass man gar nicht anders kann, als sie zu mögen. Ellen, die Hauptfigur, aus deren Sicht die Geschichte erzählt wird, hatte bis jetzt kein gutes Leben. Sie hat sehr schlimme Dinge mit ihrer Mutter erleben müssen, ist von Pflegefamilie zu Pflegefamilie "gewandert" und ist für ihre Umwelt bewusst "unsichtbar" geworden. Allerdings macht sie das zu einer perfekten Beobachterin von allem, was um sie herum geschieht. Ihre Sicht auf die Dinge ist durch all das, was sie durchmachen musste, geprägt. Ihre Perspektive ist eine besondere.
Dann tritt Temerity in ihr Leben, die trotz ihrer Blindheit Ellen "sieht". Die beiden verbindet bald eine gute Freundschaft, was für Ellen, eine völlig neue Perspektive auf ihr eigenes, aber auch auf das Leben ihrer Mitmenschen bringt.
Was die beiden jungen Frauen auf ihrem gemeinsamen Weg nun erleben, ist manchmal ein bisschen unglaubwürdig und sehr rasant. Aber das hat mich nicht gestört, denn darum geht es in der Geschichte auch gar nicht. Ellens Gefühlswelt, ihre Gedanken, ihre Perspektive, sind für diese Geschichte bedeutsam. Ich habe das Gefühl, dass die Autorin weiß, wovon sie schreibt. Sie ist eine gute Beobachterin, ähnlich wie Ellen eben.
In ihrer Danksagung schreibt die Autorin, dass Seele und Freundlichkeit nichts mit der äußeren Erscheinung zu tun haben. Meiner Meinung nach ist es ihr gelungen, Widmung und Danksagung in dieser Geschichte in Einklang zu bringen und das auf meine sehr warmherzige Weise.
Besonders beeindruckt haben mich beispielsweise die Momente, in denen Ellen etwas erlebt, was irgend etwas in ihrer abgestumpften Gefühlswelt rührt, was ihren Schutzwall bröckeln lässt.
Von mir bekommt dieses einfühlsame 5 Sterne.
August 18, 2016
This is the kind of book that has the capacity to do for its readers what it's done for its characters: Inspire hope to overcome and to change your situation; unleash the potential to be kind to a complete stranger; spark action to connect with others and help improve others' lives if at all possible.
At times Ellen's story felt a bit over-the-top (Temerity, while I really do love her spunky, can-do attitude, is a bit too perfect even though she does need to ask for help "seeing" certain things). Plenty is going on - gang and drug activity, a few murderers and thieves on the loose, a few situations with babies and their uncertain futures, invisible Ellen's brand-new friendship with Temerity - and Ellen's horrific childhood flashbacks where she somehow survived unimaginable abuse. It's not that I don't like all the action, but there's so much going on that a woman accustomed to being social would struggle; Ellen, who's been invisible all her life, is all of a sudden taking on some major problems with just a few squawks here and there. Temerity plays a major role in supporting Ellen and encouraging her to live courageously, but it happens too quickly for me to find it very believable.
My favorite part of "Invisible Ellen" was seeing Ellen's intelligence blossom as she snuck around and made things happen behind the scenes - without being seen by anyone. I also enjoyed Temerity's boldness in helping others (because when you think of others, you tend to forget to think so much about your own problems) - her conversation with Janelle when she was "shopping for a rug" and seeking a disabled discount was clever, witty and brought out the personalities of both women.
Overall, the book is well worth reading: Ellen's story is a reminder that who knows what good stuff lies within you, just waiting to be unleashed by some stranger's kindness? Who knows whose lives you might touch or maybe change for the better? Who knows how many friends are waiting for you to find them and how your life could be made richer for brainstorming with these new friends ways to help others?
At times Ellen's story felt a bit over-the-top (Temerity, while I really do love her spunky, can-do attitude, is a bit too perfect even though she does need to ask for help "seeing" certain things). Plenty is going on - gang and drug activity, a few murderers and thieves on the loose, a few situations with babies and their uncertain futures, invisible Ellen's brand-new friendship with Temerity - and Ellen's horrific childhood flashbacks where she somehow survived unimaginable abuse. It's not that I don't like all the action, but there's so much going on that a woman accustomed to being social would struggle; Ellen, who's been invisible all her life, is all of a sudden taking on some major problems with just a few squawks here and there. Temerity plays a major role in supporting Ellen and encouraging her to live courageously, but it happens too quickly for me to find it very believable.
My favorite part of "Invisible Ellen" was seeing Ellen's intelligence blossom as she snuck around and made things happen behind the scenes - without being seen by anyone. I also enjoyed Temerity's boldness in helping others (because when you think of others, you tend to forget to think so much about your own problems) - her conversation with Janelle when she was "shopping for a rug" and seeking a disabled discount was clever, witty and brought out the personalities of both women.
Overall, the book is well worth reading: Ellen's story is a reminder that who knows what good stuff lies within you, just waiting to be unleashed by some stranger's kindness? Who knows whose lives you might touch or maybe change for the better? Who knows how many friends are waiting for you to find them and how your life could be made richer for brainstorming with these new friends ways to help others?
February 6, 2017
This book has a lot going for it. The characters are diverse, likable, and you care about them. The situations they find themselves in are interesting, and you're always looking forward to knowing what's going to happen next. But there's something that bothered me through much of the book. Though there are a lot of moments when Shari Shattuck's writing really shines, there are also a lot of moments when you want to roll your eyes just from how typical and overdone some things are. How many times is the blind woman going to make a blind joke? (I'll SEE you later! Haha, get it? Because I'm BLIND!). And writing about a misogynistic man like "The Boss" doesn't have to be so stereotypical! It's not very realistic for him to go to his female subordinate, proposition her, and say, "Come on! Don't you want to move up in this company?" While there are several examples of these, I will say that they really are the only ones that bothered me. The protagonist, Ellen, suffers from severe social anxiety. The descriptions of her interactions and feelings were pretty extreme, but not knowing much about it myself, I simply took those as furthering the character's development for us and didn't bother questioning whether it was realistic or not. In trying to think of a way to describe the book as a whole, the situations help you remember the book is for adults, but the "happily ever after" feeling you get from the story is a result of predicaments that just seem to work out a little too well. But it was a fun and easy book to read, and I'm glad I did.
September 5, 2015
Ich kann nur sagen: Das Buch ist wunderbar! Von der ersten Seite an war ich irgendwie im Bann der Geschichte, die mich bis zur letzten Seite nicht mehr losgelassen hat...
Das Buch ist neben einem wunderschönen Cover nicht nur lustig, sondern erzählt von der unsichtbaren Ellen, die nach dem Treffen mit Temerity im Bus beginnt sich der Welt wieder zu zeigen und selbst mehr zu leben.
Als "normaler Mensch" ist sie gar nicht nachvollziehbar, wird mit ihrem Drang zu helfen und das Richtige zu tun wann immer es ihr möglich ist aber so sympathisch, besonders in ihrer persönlichen Entwicklung. Sie ist kurz zu beschreiben als liebenswerter Freak mit einem Riesen-Herz am rechten Fleck.
Auch Temerity braucht Ellen in gewisser Weise, besonders als Mensch neben ihrem Bruder, der kein Mitleid mit ihr hat und ihr zur Seite steht. Die beiden zusammen machen in diesem Buch einige Leben gerechter und auch lebenswerter, inklusive Ellens eigenem.
Warum mich das Buch so berührt hat, was die Tatsache, dass es überall Menschen gibt, die es nicht schaffen sich selbst zu helfen und mit ein klein wenig externer Hilfe wieder auf die Beine kommen können :) Vielleicht müssen wir uns nur ein bisschen mehr anstrengen um sie zu sehen.
Das Buch ist neben einem wunderschönen Cover nicht nur lustig, sondern erzählt von der unsichtbaren Ellen, die nach dem Treffen mit Temerity im Bus beginnt sich der Welt wieder zu zeigen und selbst mehr zu leben.
Als "normaler Mensch" ist sie gar nicht nachvollziehbar, wird mit ihrem Drang zu helfen und das Richtige zu tun wann immer es ihr möglich ist aber so sympathisch, besonders in ihrer persönlichen Entwicklung. Sie ist kurz zu beschreiben als liebenswerter Freak mit einem Riesen-Herz am rechten Fleck.
Auch Temerity braucht Ellen in gewisser Weise, besonders als Mensch neben ihrem Bruder, der kein Mitleid mit ihr hat und ihr zur Seite steht. Die beiden zusammen machen in diesem Buch einige Leben gerechter und auch lebenswerter, inklusive Ellens eigenem.
Warum mich das Buch so berührt hat, was die Tatsache, dass es überall Menschen gibt, die es nicht schaffen sich selbst zu helfen und mit ein klein wenig externer Hilfe wieder auf die Beine kommen können :) Vielleicht müssen wir uns nur ein bisschen mehr anstrengen um sie zu sehen.
July 21, 2016
What a gorgeous gem of a book! This novel will touch all readers who have ever felt ignored or downright invisible. Ellen has a wry sense of humor, as well as a unique take on the world and its inhabitants. Watching her come out of her shell and reach out to others is both inspirational and encouraging.
Ellen’s upbringing and physical appearance have made her shy away from people to the point where she has become almost like part of the scenery. No one sees her, no one talks to her. Ellen works her night job at Costco and keeps to herself, observing but never interacting. One day, she comes in contact with a blind woman named Temerity, and Ellen steps out of her shell in order to help save her from an attack. The events that follow cascade into real human interaction and grand discoveries about life
https://www.rtbookreviews.com/book-re...
Ellen’s upbringing and physical appearance have made her shy away from people to the point where she has become almost like part of the scenery. No one sees her, no one talks to her. Ellen works her night job at Costco and keeps to herself, observing but never interacting. One day, she comes in contact with a blind woman named Temerity, and Ellen steps out of her shell in order to help save her from an attack. The events that follow cascade into real human interaction and grand discoveries about life
https://www.rtbookreviews.com/book-re...
March 21, 2014
At first, I thought this book was a bit of a departure from Shari Shattuck's other works, as it is not an action or supernatural novel. As I got into it, I quickly realized that this book is an amazing showcase of Shari's ability to bring characters to life and really allow the reader to get inside their heads. Her knack for understanding people from all walks of life and making them completely believable and multi-dimensional to the reader is amazing. This book never gets too heavy, nor does it gloss over anything. Shattuck balances comedy and tragedy in a way that few other other authors do well. This was not a book I could put down easily, and read it within 3 days. I guarantee that everyone can relate to, and learn from this book. If you are open to it, it will change the way you think about others and perhaps become less judgemental.
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