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cbh's review against another edition
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Eleanor is so wholly human and infallible to me in a way literature rarely has female characters be. I've grown to love her and the people around it, it's crazy how that works out! The inside of her head was a nice place to be, I wish this book never came to an end :)
Content Warnings
Graphic: Suicide attempt
shanmei's review against another edition
reflective
sad
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
4.25
aarohan44's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
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
5.0
sapphirelain's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
sad
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
5.0
I myself am currently myself in the healing process so I don’t know if that is making this a higher star then maybe I would have given it before. But I think it was lovely. Showing that human kindness can be a thing, even if we aren’t sure of it yet. A very honest look at how trauma can shape us, but how we can choose to try and get help, and be kind to ourselves.
kremington's review against another edition
4.0
I was teetering between 3.5 and 4 stars but the big twist really changed it for me.
I enjoyed watching Eleanor change and shift her pattern of thinking as the book went on. She started changing herself to get the attention of a rockstar but eventually realized that wasn't the way to go once she hit her rock bottom. It went from changing for someone else to changing for herself and her mental health.
I loved Raymond and how their relationship wasn't overtly a romantic one. What Eleanor needed was a friend, and Raymond was a great one. I would recommend this to a friend.
I enjoyed watching Eleanor change and shift her pattern of thinking as the book went on. She started changing herself to get the attention of a rockstar but eventually realized that wasn't the way to go once she hit her rock bottom. It went from changing for someone else to changing for herself and her mental health.
I loved Raymond and how their relationship wasn't overtly a romantic one. What Eleanor needed was a friend, and Raymond was a great one. I would recommend this to a friend.
fernstoddart's review against another edition
dark
funny
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
greensalbet's review against another edition
dark
funny
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
I'm intrigued by the fanfare around this book, and soon-to-be-produced film, by Resse Witherspoon's production company, HELLO SUNSHINE. The book is a lovely novel about friendship and the kindness of strangers. But it's also a story about childhood trauma and the destructive ways in which a damaged parent has paralyzed and isolated her adult daughter.
Eleanor is an odd mix of Elizabeth Zoot from Lessons in Chemistry and Tom Holland's schizophrenic character, Danny Sullivan, from Apple TV's "The Crowded Room." She has an antiquated way of speaking and behaving that leaves her isolated from most peers. She creates order and rituals in her life to maintain a sense of control and superiority from those she doesn't know how to interact with. Many of her behaviors seems autistic, until we learn her odd ways are the byproduct of a cruel and shaming childhood with a psychologically damaged mother. But, to the author's credit, she doesn't weigh down the story with the character's trauma. Instead, we get to watch her blossom after a chance encounter helping an elder man who has fallen crossing a London street. She happens to be leaving work at the same time as Raymond, a new, geeky IT employee in her office. He instructs her to help the fallen senior, Sammy. They return to visit him in the hospital, and from this random incident, a new friendship buds . At the same time, Eleanor is whipping up a fantasy relationship in her mind around a handsome singer with whom she she has never had a conversation. Like a school girl, she follows him on social media and elevates him to princely status -- bubbling over her future, perfect partner. Her fantasy romance is interrupted by weekly Wednesday phone calls from her "Mummy" whom we're led to believe is in prison. Mummy pushes Eleanor to secure this man quickly while ridiculing her for being incapable of succeeding in life.
My favorite parts of the novel are the scenes that revolve around her Raymond and his lovely mother. From these two, and Sammy's extended family, Eleanor learns that healthy, loving family members treat each other with kindness and compassion, not paranoia, bullying, or constant criticism.
Through her friendship with Raymond, and sessions with an insightful therapist, Marie Temple, Eleanor slowly begins excavating the trauma of her past i to heal and recover.
Eleanor is an odd mix of Elizabeth Zoot from Lessons in Chemistry and Tom Holland's schizophrenic character, Danny Sullivan, from Apple TV's "The Crowded Room." She has an antiquated way of speaking and behaving that leaves her isolated from most peers. She creates order and rituals in her life to maintain a sense of control and superiority from those she doesn't know how to interact with. Many of her behaviors seems autistic, until we learn her odd ways are the byproduct of a cruel and shaming childhood with a psychologically damaged mother. But, to the author's credit, she doesn't weigh down the story with the character's trauma. Instead, we get to watch her blossom after a chance encounter helping an elder man who has fallen crossing a London street. She happens to be leaving work at the same time as Raymond, a new, geeky IT employee in her office. He instructs her to help the fallen senior, Sammy. They return to visit him in the hospital, and from this random incident, a new friendship buds . At the same time, Eleanor is whipping up a fantasy relationship in her mind around a handsome singer with whom she she has never had a conversation. Like a school girl, she follows him on social media and elevates him to princely status -- bubbling over her future, perfect partner. Her fantasy romance is interrupted by weekly Wednesday phone calls from her "Mummy" whom we're led to believe is in prison. Mummy pushes Eleanor to secure this man quickly while ridiculing her for being incapable of succeeding in life.
My favorite parts of the novel are the scenes that revolve around her Raymond and his lovely mother. From these two, and Sammy's extended family, Eleanor learns that healthy, loving family members treat each other with kindness and compassion, not paranoia, bullying, or constant criticism.
Through her friendship with Raymond, and sessions with an insightful therapist, Marie Temple, Eleanor slowly begins excavating the trauma of her past i to heal and recover.
jpwilliams's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75