Take a photo of a barcode or cover
3.02 AVERAGE
3.02 AVERAGE
slow-paced
The Opposite of Success by Eleanor Elliott Thomas is an original Australian debut that explores the concept of failure in our contemporary world and the delicate balance we try to strike, often with imperfect results.
The story revolves around Lorrie Hope, a wife and mother, experiencing what can only be described as the worst day of her life. Lorrie has high hopes for a promotion in her council job, but to her dismay, she misses out, despite everyone assuming she was a shoo-in. From there, her day takes a disastrous turn. Enter her quirky best friend, Alex, an ex-boyfriend, his boss, concerns about climate change, and a resumption of her smoking habit, and chaos ensues.
The book had a promising start, drawing me into Lorrie's world with relatable humour as her day takes an unexpected nosedive. However, as the story progressed, it veered into a realm that felt somewhat implausible and disconnected. Midway through, I found it challenging to relate to the characters, some of whom became downright irritating. The ending failed to salvage my overall reading experience.
While I appreciated the author's writing style and would be eager to explore more of her work, this particular book didn't quite hit the mark for me.
I extend my gratitude to Better Reading and Text Publishing for providing an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review. The opinions expressed here are entirely my own.
The story revolves around Lorrie Hope, a wife and mother, experiencing what can only be described as the worst day of her life. Lorrie has high hopes for a promotion in her council job, but to her dismay, she misses out, despite everyone assuming she was a shoo-in. From there, her day takes a disastrous turn. Enter her quirky best friend, Alex, an ex-boyfriend, his boss, concerns about climate change, and a resumption of her smoking habit, and chaos ensues.
The book had a promising start, drawing me into Lorrie's world with relatable humour as her day takes an unexpected nosedive. However, as the story progressed, it veered into a realm that felt somewhat implausible and disconnected. Midway through, I found it challenging to relate to the characters, some of whom became downright irritating. The ending failed to salvage my overall reading experience.
While I appreciated the author's writing style and would be eager to explore more of her work, this particular book didn't quite hit the mark for me.
I extend my gratitude to Better Reading and Text Publishing for providing an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review. The opinions expressed here are entirely my own.
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
hopeful
lighthearted
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
challenging
tense
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
slow-paced
lighthearted
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I read this as part of a book club and I knew from the second I read the blurb that it was not my style of book, but I gave it a go anyway. I wish I hadn’t. There was a typo on page 8 and it honestly all went downhill from there. Characters were flat and one dimensional or just stereotypes and the ending was ridiculous.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Fatphobia
Moderate: Drug use, Infidelity, Alcohol
emotional
funny
lighthearted
reflective
relaxing
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I liked this book. It was a funny read with some really thought provoking discussions that need to be had. There was something so real and close to home for me that I can't quite put my finger on. A lot can happen in one day, just ask Lorrie!
emotional
funny
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
emotional
funny
lighthearted
reflective
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
N/A
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Light-hearted, easy read. Set over the course of one day in Lorrie & Alex's life where things seem to continue to get worse & worse - both as a result of their decisions & things out of their control.
I could relate to many of Lorrie's reflections & thoughts about various themes from her body image issues, potential disadvantage at work because she has a family to her mother's unwelcome, unboundaried comments.
What I didn't like was Lorrie never turning to her husband for support over the course of her day getting worse & worse. To me, things could've gone differently perhaps if she'd turned to the person she loved and loved her most. But I guess that was part of her journey to self determining what little herself believes is 'success'.
I could relate to many of Lorrie's reflections & thoughts about various themes from her body image issues, potential disadvantage at work because she has a family to her mother's unwelcome, unboundaried comments.
What I didn't like was Lorrie never turning to her husband for support over the course of her day getting worse & worse. To me, things could've gone differently perhaps if she'd turned to the person she loved and loved her most. But I guess that was part of her journey to self determining what little herself believes is 'success'.
Content Warnings
Minor: Drug use, Eating disorder, Fatphobia, Alcohol