This is my first #bookreview of the year and I hope that many more would be following soon. This year I have decided to come out of my comfort zone and read different genres instead of sticking with just fiction and/or romance. That doesn’t mean romance won’t be a part of my #TBR list this year, I won’t lie.
I started my year with a book that was a recommendation by many. It was laying on my bookshelf for quite some time and thrice I gave up after reading the first two pages. Not because the book wasn’t interesting but because books from my favorite genre were prioritized.
As I was about to place an order for a new set of books my guilt of not finishing this one kept piling on and one Friday evening, over a cup of ginger tea, I gave in. It took me three days to finish reading this one amidst office and home responsibilities. Let’s dive in and see If I can convince you to read this book:
Book: Eleanor Oliphant is completely fine Author: Gail Honeyman Genre: Fiction
Let me begin by saying that this book deserves all the accolades and attention it has received. It is the debut novel of the author and yet the nuances of different shades in a character leave you in awe of the writing. “Eleanor Oliphant is completely fine” is like magic, it is captivating. It definitely has lived up to my expectation.
The character development of this novel will keep readers hooked. It is slow-paced and yet manages to grab your attention with each twist in the story. The two of my favorite characters in the book are:
Eleanor Oliphant
I fell in love with Eleanor, she is an unknowingly witty, strong, and absolute delight to be friends with. She is happy and content with her life. Keeping up with her routine and saying things without any filter is her character trait. We get a sense of Eleanor’s characteristics and personality very early on in the book. The layers in her character keep peeling off and you keep connecting with the character more and more.
Raymond
The nerdy guy who has seen the struggles in her life and doesn’t shy away from helping his friends. Goes out of his way to be there for his loved ones. Raymond sounds like a guy next door, the one who often goes unnoticed in the crowd. A true friend that each one of us deserves.
What I loved about the story
The book starts with a portrayal of usual everyday activities that readers can easily relate to. From the job description of the protagonist to the indifference between colleagues, everything had a sense of relevance. I loved the simple yet intricate details that brought such depth to each character. The book keeps you hooked till the last page.
There is a reason some stories and characters remain with you for a really long time, Eleanor will be staying in my heart and will come up during the book recommendations list this year. I love the inner turmoil of Eleanor’s mind & heart followed by such interesting explanations, for example:
“A philosophical question: if a tree falls in a forest and no one is around to hear it, does it make a sound? And if a woman who’s wholly alone occasionally talks to a pot plant, is she certifiable? I think that it is perfectly normal to talk to oneself occasionally. It’s not as though I’m expecting a reply. I’m fully aware that Polly is a houseplant.”
“Soon to be a major motion picture produced by Reese Witherspoon, Eleanor Oliphant Is Completely Fine, the smart, warm, and uplifting story of an out-of-the-ordinary heroine whose deadpan weirdness and unconscious wit make for an irresistible journey as she realizes. . .
The only way to survive is to open your heart.” (Source)
It is a slow-paced story with a lot of emotional indulgences. The book will make you take pause, quite a captivating read, indeed.
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