Helpful Score: 2
I got the book through paperbackswap.com. On the cover, it states "Reese's Book Club" and there's a quote from Reese Witherspoon describing the book as "Beautifully written and incredibly funny." Describing the book as "incredibly funny" is (in my opinion) a gross mischaracterization of the book. Eleanor, the protagonist, is someone who has little in the way of social skills. Apparently, her ineptness in this area is what is so (supposedly) funny.
I felt somewhat sorry for Eleanor because of her quirky behavior that made it difficult for her to be accepted by her co-workers. Eleanor had no friends or social life. She spent her time outside work drinking at home. Early in the book the author hints that Eleanor had had something bad happen to her. It's not until nearly the end of the book that the full story is disclosed and one then understands why she drinks.
There's not a lot of "action" in the book--rather, it's the story of a woman who goes "down the rabbit hole" and emerges from it transformed.
I felt somewhat sorry for Eleanor because of her quirky behavior that made it difficult for her to be accepted by her co-workers. Eleanor had no friends or social life. She spent her time outside work drinking at home. Early in the book the author hints that Eleanor had had something bad happen to her. It's not until nearly the end of the book that the full story is disclosed and one then understands why she drinks.
There's not a lot of "action" in the book--rather, it's the story of a woman who goes "down the rabbit hole" and emerges from it transformed.
This is one of the BEST books I have ever read! It is clever, heart-warming, funny, and so well written. You find yourself crying on one page and laughing out loud the next. Eleanor gets into your heart and you want her to succeed. LOVE this book!
I absolutely loved this book! The story is so mesmerizing and the character growth is awesome! I have reccommended this book to many of my friends.
I just loved this book! I laughed and cried throughout the story. Such a quirky woman, the story slowly unfolds about her life, giving an explanation of why she is the way she is. A story that will touch your heart as you grow to love all the characters in it.
Eleanor Oliphant is actually completely not fine. She is 30, socially awkward, quirky, odd, has no friends and is lonely. She needs vodka to get through the weekend before she can go back to her routine and boring office job. She also has her weekly phone conversations with her mom who is MEAN. Then we begin to find out more about her background - she has a scar on her face, her mom is really mean, she bounced around foster homes as a child, she was in an abusive relationship. And there is something else that her memory has suppressed. something so terrible that she is emotionally scarred. Really emotionally scarred. But while the author slowly gives us this background, Eleanor also finally makes a friend. Her first ever. And she slowly starts to recover. First a really bad fall and then her friend begins to help her. We finally learn the whole story and it is sad but there is also hope for her future. Loved the characters in this book, both Eleanor, her friend Raymond and all the others.
Interesting character. I enjoyed this alot
A fun, easy read. The characters are different yet you hope for them and want them to triumph.
It was surprising a few times but that made it more interesting and harder to put down.
It was surprising a few times but that made it more interesting and harder to put down.
I enjoyed this book but cannot agree with Reese Witherspoon that it is incredibly funny ! I found it well written, but a very sad story albeit true to life; however, it was hard to put down and thankfully had a happy ending.
This book received rave reviews and got a great deal of hype. However, let me say that this is one of the toughest books I've ever read to get into. I started to give up more times than I can count. However, I'm glad I finished it. The only thing that kept me reading was wanting to find out what Eleanor's mother had done to her that had scarred her physically and mentally for life. However, once Eleanor makes a 'friend' (the first one ever) at the age of 30 who sees beyond her eccentricities and wounds, she opens up and finds that sometimes we all just need someone kind to sit with us through the tough times.
Just finished reading this wonderful book. It was thoroughly engrossing and page turning. Eleanor is a marvelous protagonist and I hope the author writes more books about here. What a good, good book!
Great story. You really don't know what is going to happen. There are so many options the story could take. Interesting people. I'd recommend it.
Eleanor Oliphant is a social misfit. She lives a life of isolation but decides to step out of her comfort zone and makes friends with Raymond. I found this book charming but humorous. There are lots of laugh-out-loud moments. Narrated by Eleanor and author's debut but very well-written. The ending is heartwarming with lots of hope for Eleanor's future. Recommended for those who love feel-good books.
This is a lovely story about the power of kindness. One of the best books I've read in a long time!!!
When a book begins with a title like Eleanor Oliphant Is Completely Fine, three thoughts come to mind. First, Eleanor Oliphant is such a great name. Second, this book possibly joins the plethora of books in recent years about quirky but endearing characters. Third, my guess is that the book is probably going to be about the fact that Eleanor Oliphant is indeed not fine at all. Turns out, all three thoughts are relatively correct and make for a memorable book.
Read my complete review at http://www.memoriesfrombooks.com/2017/06/eleanor-oliphant-is-completely-fine.html
Reviewed for Penguin First to Read program
Read my complete review at http://www.memoriesfrombooks.com/2017/06/eleanor-oliphant-is-completely-fine.html
Reviewed for Penguin First to Read program
This is one of those books that I just didn't want to end. Eleanor Oliphant is quite the character in a subdued sort of way. She is obviously a very damaged soul, but with the help of a friend, finds her way back to "being normal" and I delighted in every accomplishment and realization that she had. This story is wonderfully written, the kind of story where you feel like you know these people and are sharing in their lives. I don't know how this author can top this one, but I hope she does.
I don't normally write reviews but I felt compelled to write one for Elanor Oliphant is Completely Fine. I loved the characters. Eleanor Oliphant is a damaged soul, but comes out of herself with the help of a friend. I didn't want this book to end and was sad when it did. I hope to read more by this author. This book was too good not to write more.
Cameron-Ashley H. (BigGreenChair) reviewed Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine on + 461 more book reviews
A solid good read. I wanted to read it straight through.
It took me so long to get into this book. The first 100 pages were a struggle. I would have quit if it wasn't my book club book. After book club, I appreciated the book more. But in general, I found the writing tough.
I began Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine with low expectations and I ended up LOVING it. I loved how Eleanor developed throughout the book. I wanted to give her a hug and help her along her journey of life. Her story is sad and humorous at the same time. She's had a terrible childhood and the reader gets to see how she slowly gets her life (and happiness) back with the help of some special friends she meets along the way. I so love it when a book grabs me and won't let go. I highly recommend!
Unable to get past page 100.
I made it that far, and just couldn't stand it. By page 100, I had figured out the Big Reveal. By page 100, I decided I had had enough of Eleanor's oh-so-not-funny social awkwardness and verbal pretensions.
Perhaps it's just terribly bad timing -- this month, both of my book clubs are reading much-loved books about socially awkward people who struggle with the fallout from abusive childhoods. I retreated from A Little Life by Hanya Yanagihara, thinking that this would be a lighter, feel-good read. Oops, my bad ... Out of the frying pan ... ? Out of the fire, into the frying pan? Take your pick ...
I made it that far, and just couldn't stand it. By page 100, I had figured out the Big Reveal. By page 100, I decided I had had enough of Eleanor's oh-so-not-funny social awkwardness and verbal pretensions.
Perhaps it's just terribly bad timing -- this month, both of my book clubs are reading much-loved books about socially awkward people who struggle with the fallout from abusive childhoods. I retreated from A Little Life by Hanya Yanagihara, thinking that this would be a lighter, feel-good read. Oops, my bad ... Out of the frying pan ... ? Out of the fire, into the frying pan? Take your pick ...
