Has anyone read Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine? I recently finished it and didn’t really enjoy it. I didn’t really like her character.
Has anyone read Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine? I recently finished it and didn’t really enjoy it. I didn’t really like her character.
I couldn’t get into it.
@Stephanie Yeah, I just didn’t really enjoy it. I know it’s a very popular book and it won lots of awards, but it just wasn’t for me.
@Charlie same. No crime in that.
I read half.
@Patty Well, I did finish it. Took me a while though. If I enjoy a book, it takes me a couple of days, but it did take me over a week to finish lol I just found the character of Eleanor very annoying.
Loved it.
Uh oh @Phyllis. Mixed reviews
I didn’t like it either.
I really enjoyed it. I feel as if Eleanor developed greatly throughout the book (especially for what happened to her)!
I didn’t like it
I don’t like it that much either. 🙂
I have absolutely loved all other recommendations from same friend but I just couldn’t get into it and gave up a third of way through!
I haven’t and have no desire to. The title bugs me enough not to read it…lol
I hated her at first but liked her by the end I enjoyed the book as it was different for me. Read a few since and now I’m reading a man called ove and it’s reminded me a bit of this book but funnier xx
I started reading it and wondered what all the hype was about, but then the more I got into it, the more I liked it until I finished and loved it. I think it’s one of those books you need to stick through right to the end.
I felt the same. Wasnt keen on her character though i finished the book.
Um, that was kind of the point…
@Ellie Really?
I think so. She’s awful! But God she’s funny. Like a female Adrian Mole.
@Ellie I did find her a little funny in parts, but not as likeable as Adrian Mole.
@Charlie Hey, if we all liked the same books, a lot of writers would never make any money. It’s good that we all like different stuff!
Loved it
Worst book I’ve ever read…
I thought it was a wonderful book, full of pathos, humour and sadness with well-drawn characters and a believable plot-line. A great first novel, I’m not at all surprised that the author met with acclaim and the book won prizes. I’ve recommended it to so many people ?
I agree..this was this author’s first book and it was full of love hope real life tragedy and real characters…Eleanor was so real and so sad but in the end she prevailed …it was excellent IMO.
I thought Raymond was a lovely character, so kind and caring. Totally believable. I totally understand that liking/disliking a book is subjective and absolutely respect the views of those who haven’t enjoyed Eleanor but I don’t understand why not! It was so good ☺️
@Morag I did like Raymond’s character. I thought he was lovely ?
Loved her& it!
I had it on Audible, and thought the narrator did a fine job, totally enhancing my enjoyment of the story.
Recently finished it, it got interesting in the second half, not great but made you think.
I loved it. And her. She’s quite the character.
Reading it now. On page 100. Enjoying it so far
I loved it x
I loved it as audiobook! Amazing narrator, great story ?
Loved it.
I adored Eleanor. She was prickly because she didn’t know how to receive love. I loved how Raymond kept being kind. I found it heartbreaking and beautiful. Isn’t it funny how characters that resonate with some, others find off putting?
@Anna It is funny ? it’s interesting to hear others differing opinions on the book and the characters ?
Didn’t like her at all at first, ended up liking her more at the end but I didn’t like how it just ended. Wouldn’t recommend it.
I read it. Didn’t love it.
At first, I was frustrated with Eleanor’s manner of speaking. But as the story progressed I grew accustomed to it and came to appreciate her story.
I gave up on the book which I never do.
Omg I love her character !!!! I just wanted to hug her and be her friend
Loved it and loved her.
@Lis, me too.
I liked it
Loved it
I felt like I could connect with her in some ways, but I found her to be very rude sometimes, and that put me off her.
It was her defense mechanism due to her life…full of foster homes and then what happened to her sister in the fire that put up a big block in her mind. I was sad.
I think for a first novel this was a really good book…I just wondered if the author had gone thru something like this or what…???
@Patty Well, according to the author, she didn’t know anyone like Eleanor, but I don’t know. For a first novel, it was quite impressive, but I didn’t really enjoy it. I wish I did.
Girl, have you been living in a cave?!?!? Jk. Love Eleanor!! Had withdrawals after I finished book!
@Maria lol well I’m very pleased to hear that you enjoyed the book ?
@Maria me too
I loved it.
She is similar to my asperger daughter!
Deb Michaels I thought the character might be on the spectrum. I think we were shown hints of that. I liked certain characteristics of the character, and actually felt that I related to her in some ways, but didn’t really like her in others. I mean no offence, of course ?
@Charlie I agree. She seems very on the spectrum especially as she improves over time as my daughter has. But was saddened by her family history.
Loved it!
Loved it!
I adored her. I can relate to her in a neurotic, ocd way
I loved it and hated it if that makes any sense at all
@Linda Yes! Same here haha
Hated it
Loved it. It was very quirky and real. A case study in Asperbergers I thought. Very endearing tho, I didn’t want it to end.
I utterly hated it. I hated her, she was awful, I saw the twist coming a mile away, and I just didn’t like anyone else either. I was the only one in my book club that didn’t like it, though, so I feel you!
I liked it
I did not like it at all
I found the character to get on my nerves big time – but I find that people either hate it or love it – no in betweens!!
I couldn’t finish it. I don’t usually love books that people rave about.. I didn’t get it ? I didn’t find her likeable
I quite enjoyed it. More than I thought I would because of the mixed reviews. Took me a couple of starts to get into it though
I really enjoyed it. She reminded me of Sheldon from big bang theory
I adored that book, and the character. I’m hoping for a sequel.
Took me ages to get into it but then in love with her and miss her also hoping for a sequel.
I read it but didn’t really enjoy it..
I found her irritating to begin with, but as the story unfolded she became quite endearing to me. I loved the book and her relationship with (can’t remember his name now ?).
Raymond.
Loved it, everyone has a bit of Eleanor in them. X
Loved her
We had it for a book group read. We were evenly split about who liked it and who didn’t 🙂 I found the first 1/3 of it pretty hardslog, but after that I really enjoyed it.
I thought it was ok…..
Loved it. I found the writing subtle and incisive.
I quite liked it !
I’m about half way through and loving it!
I haven’t but I’ve wanted to for so long but it never pulled me in enough….
It’s about seeing a person through a different perspective. I liked her character, as it was different and you learn about how she became that person.
I loved it. Completely different to my usual books. It’s good to read something different.
It took me about 50 pages to get into it but after that point I was unable to put it down and thoroughly enjoyed reading it
This was a strange book for me as i struggled at first to get into it and then when i did it still took me a month to read but by the end it became one of my favourite stories! Loved Eleanor and the way she unfolfed, she became so lovely and she has a unique perspective on the world. I found her very interesting and i sometimes even agreed with her ?
I loved it
@Nancy me too!!!!!!!!
@Susie ❤️❤️❤️
I loved her. My son has autism and I could see a lot of similarities between them which made me warm to her.
Loved it
Hated it.
Love Eleanor
I felt the same Charlotte.
I really liked it, it’s very different to other books I usually go for so I was pleasantly surprised ?
Loved it! A friend bought it for me and I was a bit sceptical about it at first as it wasn’t my usual genre but once I started it I couldn’t put it down. Eleanor’s character was beautifully written and her vulnerability came across loud and clear.
I wish I’d written it!
I really liked it. Loved her character.
I agree with you. I didnt like it at all.
I was so so about it.
Eleanor was socially isolated, partly due to her autism/Aspergers. Raymond accepted her as she was, unconditionally, and in doing so he (unwittingly) broke down her defences and opened the door to the horror of her past. I heard the author being interviewed, and the book arose out of statistics she had come across relating to loneliness, typically associated with the elderly population, but not generally thought of as affecting younger people. Also she was functioning, outwardly at least, at a high level. I felt the book shone a light on a number of topical societal issues, loneliness, isolation, mental health issues. We all probably live side by side with Eleanor-esque characters, but being so wrapped up in our own affairs. We judge others, often without knowing their stories. Imagine being a Raymond, and making a real positive difference to someone’s life… I thought the author really captured all that.
@Morag spoiler alert ?
Not at all, I haven’t divulged the plot!
One of my favourite books ever!
I did not enjoy reading it. It was well written, just not my cup of tea.
I loved it, I loved the characters. Being able to empathise with someone so different, and also (regrettably) the younger me was probably similar to her colleagues..(not comprehending different people) I wouldn’t have had a clue. I loved Raymond’s character. Not only did I love the book, but it also made me want to be a better person. X
Not my favorite book!
I loved the book.
Loved the book. Loved Eleanor and how hard she struggled. Very relatable. Didn’t love one aspect of the ending.
I enjoyed it but it was a little off the beaten path.
It’s a bit of a marmite book..
.
@Hilary meaning?
@Laurie you either love it or hate it 🙂
@Kat got it
@Kat exactly that!
It seems to be one of those book that you either love or hate. I have not read it because of the ping pong reviews on it.
Loved it and really liked the character , very descriptive and easy reading took me a good few chapters to get into it
Not sure you’re meant to like her. She’s a complicated character from a disfunctional background. It was never going to be an easy read. I loved it’s celebration of difference and understanding of those members of society who don’t easily fit in.
I found it very different, I enjoyed
All the descriptive way she viewed things. Enjoyable read .
I absolutely loved this, listened to it on Audible.
Loved the book. But think you need to be ‘sympathetic’ to that sort of disease to really understand and appreciate it.
It took me a while to get into it but I really enjoyed
Loved it
Loved it.
I loved her so much. After I finished listening to it I felt like if lost a friend. Complete book hangover.
It was quirky. While it wasn’t my favorite read ever, I did enjoy the writer’s ability and I think it’s good to open up to different styles from time to time. I wouldn’t be reluctant to recommend it.
I loved this book and I loved Eleanor, I miss her and the clever quirky descriptions of her every day style escapades
Hated the character
I liked it quite a bit ?
I really enjoyed it.
It was alright ?
Loved it!!❤️
I loved it and totally loved Eleanor. That book will stay with me forever.
Never got into it..
Absolutely loved it. Brilluantly written.
Such very mixed reviews. It’s on my TBD pile of books
The whole point is, a review is such a subjective thing. Even professional reviews are only that person’s opinion. Read what you want and make your own mind up!
Amen.
Loved it and really felt for her.
Loved it!
Loved it
dnf
I liked it but then I live a dysfunctional life