Our most recent read for Book Club was Eleanor Oliphant is completely fine by Gail Honeyman. I heard amazing things about this book and I couldn't wait to get stuck in! However, 30 pages down I felt perturbed by the inadvertent similarity in theme between this book and the previous book I read.
But I persevered, pleasantly surprised that albeit the subject matter is astonishingly similar it is handled quite differently by each author. The main characters in each novel have experienced terrible things in their early life, but couldn't be more diverse.
I rarely finish a book in one sitting, as I like time to reflect between the chapters but on a recent long train journey to London, I found I couldn't put this book down.
I was so absorbed by Eleanor and her simple life, the daily and weekly life rituals that she has set for herself and adheres to without exception. She wears the same trousers and blouse for work, has the same meal deal for lunch every day and purchases two bottles of vodka every Friday to drink over the weekend. She is blunt, direct and doesn't understand why people act the way they do.
“No thank you,” I said. “I don’t want to accept a drink from you, because then I would be obliged to purchase one for you in return, and I’m afraid I’m simply not interested in spending two drinks’ worth of time with you.”
I was captivated by how Eleanor copes with loneliness and her unique narrative on the perception of others, particularly when they show her kindness. It is true to say that Eleanor is not your usual heroine, but I loved her throughout her funny, sad and courageous story.
A thought provoking, unpredictable debut novel from Gail Honeyman. I won't be forgetting Eleanor in a hurry.
Have you read this book too? I'd love to know what you thought, do let me know, I would love to hear from you!
Next book up is The summer of impossible things by Rowan Coleman I have chosen to read it on my tablet, mainly because I was bereft having finished such a fascinating book I needed to jump straight in with something else. So downloaded it for £1.99 although I am now regretting that decision and the book cover is utterly beautiful and I want to touch it!
