Eleanor Oliphant is one of those characters who I find hard to describe in ways that won’t lead you to have the wrong impression. She’s socially awkward, painfully direct and lives a life of isolation outside of her job. There are really good reasons why her emotional growth is stunted and that’s revealed deliberately over the span of the story. When she meets the new IT guy at her job, Raymond, who also has his own brand of social issues, the two of them form their own brand of friendship that slowly develops and leads them out of their self imposed compartmentalization.
I very much enjoyed this story, particularly how it was told…without excessive description and explanation. Eleanor delivers the narrative in her unique way, which provides strong characterization and allowed me to experience her transformation on her terms. The exposure of the events of her past that shaped her future were tragic and not all of the critical details are revealed until late in the story, though I’d guessed most of it.
The narrator was excellent, notably for her capture of Eleanor. It would have been easy to make her a caricature but she was subtle in her delivery. There were so many humorous moments resulting from Eleanor’s frankness and refreshing perspective, which the performance executed perfectly. I loved everything about this book and am even more impressed that this was the author’s debut novel.
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Blue Mood Café 
Probably my favourite book of 2018 so far. I shared your love of it. Great review 🙂
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Thank you! This was one of my most wonderful book surprises and love that it’s a favorite of yours, too.
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What a lovely review, Jonetta! I have had this one on my shelf for a while. I really need to make the time for it. She sounds like a character I will love, too.
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Thank you! Oh, Jennifer, dust it off and put it on your schedule soon. I’m sure you’d enjoy this one.
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Great review, Jonetta. I’ve had this on my TBR since it came out, but have been hesitant to start it. I’m soooo glad you enjoyed it.
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Thank you, Monica! This one is right up your alley.
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I wondered if this one was good as the hype, and I trust your judgement, so I am moving this one up the tbr list.
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It’s one of those that you need to hang in there for awhile because it develops into something different from your first impression. I loved it.
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Thank you for the advice. I will try this one on audio like you!
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Great review! This was my very first audiobook and I loved it. I listened to it back in February and I can still her Eleanor’s voice saying “Raymond…” I think I loved it even more for having listened to it.
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Thank you, Ann Marie! What a great book to start your inaugural audio listening. I’m glad, too, that I opted to listen to this title.
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SO pleased that you enjoyed Eleanor’s story as much as I did. ♥ It was one of my favourite reads last year. My review: https://fictionophile.wordpress.com/2017/10/25/eleanor-oliphant-is-completely-fine-by-gail-honeyman/
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Wonderful review! I have to get to this book before this year ends.
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Thank you! I do hope you can get to it soon.
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