From the Bookshelf of The Perks Of Being A Book Addict…

Eleanor Oliphant Is Completely Fine

Gail Honeyman

Start date: February 1, 2021

Finish date: February 28, 2021

Discussion: Group Books of the Month (BotM)

Why we're reading this: Chosen as our romantic comedy themed BotM for February 2021. Previously read August 2017 Contemporary The…more
[close] Chosen as our romantic comedy themed BotM for February 2021. Previously read August 2017 Contemporary Themed BotM

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Group Books of the Month (BotM)

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What Members Thought

Aug 06, 2020 Renuka rated it it was ok

Shelves: forgettable

I don’t know, I’m probably one of the few people on the planet that just didn’t love this book. It was well written and Eleanor is definitely an interesting character but, I just didn’t like her. Like not even in the “she’s odd but endearing way.” I just didn’t like her inner monologue, and I definitely didn’t find it funny. More sad and oblivious and also rude (unintentionally but still).

I understand, of course, that this is a book about a woman who goes through an extremely personal journey a ...more

5 likes · Like · see review

Mar 21, 2018 Trisha rated it really liked it

"Grief is the price we pay for love, so they say. The price is far too high."

This is an odd story, to be sure. Eleanor is an odd character and not one I was sure I'd get to like. She's gruff and literal and holds nothing back - polite or not. However, her quirks end up becoming endearing qualities as the story unfolds. And the connection you can feel from Raymond and his laughing and interacting helps you see Eleanor in a lighter and easier light. The fact that HE shows you more about Eleanor th ...more

4 likes · Like · see review

Mar 13, 2019 Gigi rated it it was amazing

5 stars isn’t enough...I LOVED this book!! I listened to it on audible and the narration was spectacular. Eleanor is the awkward heroine I never knew I needed.

4 likes · Like · see review

Mar 03, 2018 Ellen Librarian rated it really liked it

I'd give this book 4.5 stars if I could. I found it far more moving and poignant than I expected. The blurb made it sound a bit silly but it isn't at all. There are some very funny moments, though.

My only complaint is that the character of Eleanor did not quite hang together for me. The Eleanor in some scenes did not seem like the same Eleanor in others. That said, each scene worked on its own so it was easy to suspend disbelief as I went along, even as I was questioning some of it.

It's a page t ...more

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Mar 29, 2021 Niki McDowell rated it really liked it

Eleanor Oliphant is a woman of routine, who spends her days largely alone. She struggles with normal social interaction and you find this is due to a traumatic past that she doesn’t want to face. A work acquaintance and an old man in an accident, start to break down some of her barriers and give her the exposure to people, and the confidence that she needs to be happy. Good book, would recommend.

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Apr 16, 2020 Heather added it · review of another edition

Shelves: h-over-30, library, dnf

DNF @ 38%. There's nothing wrong with this book, but I just don't want to be inside Eleanor's head right now. This just isn't the right reading for a pandemic. I need light, funny, comforting...

I'll return it to the library and take it out another time. ...more

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