Reviews with content warning for Animal cruelty - S Eleanor Oliphant je sve u najboljem redu

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S Eleanor Oliphant je sve u najboljem redu by Gail Honeyman

57 reviews

lynxpardinus's review against another edition

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emotional hopeful reflective

3.5

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edgwareviabank's review against another edition

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challenging dark hopeful reflective sad medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.0

I picked up this book almost reluctantly, because of the hype that surrounded it since it came out: more often than not, when reading a commercial novel with this sort of acclaim, I end up thinking it's not justified. Glowing recommendations on Twitter, plus finding at the library, tipped me the other way. And for the first few days of reading, I was prepared to come here with a scathing review, because it was proving all my assumptions.

Most of my issues were with the first third, which I found an absolutely miserable slog. The plot takes its time to get going, and while it later becomes clear that there's a good reason for it (it is important for readers to dive deep into how Eleanor's mind works first), there are so many hints at various tragic and sad events in Eleanor's life, I often wondered whether the author might be piling too much trauma onto one single character, for the backstory to sound entirely realistic. Yes, I get that not all fiction is, or has to be, entirely realistic. But, as a reader, that's what I tend to enjoy the most. The one bleak element of Eleanor's life that stood out as the most believable is how she's a vulnerable person who has been failed by various systems and people, at all points in her life. I appreciated reading a story that paints that sort of picture of a human life, because it's something way too many people have to endure without the rest of the world thinking twice.

The remaining two thirds of the book got a lot better and smoother to read, and within a few days, I could no longer put it down. The plot speeds up a little, and the uncertainty about where it's ultimately going becomes pleasant, because its meanderings provide plenty of opportunities to warm up to the people Eleanor begins to get close to in the same way as she's learning to warm up to them herself. If there's one thing this book has going for it, that would be quite a few lovely people helping Eleanor see the possibility of a life she never imagined. Glimmers of hope begin to appear, and as a character arc, Eleanor's is quite rewarding to follow in the end. I think that's the main point of the novel; a surprise unveiling of Eleanor's traumatic past definitely wasn't it for me, as the hints the author drops fairly often make it easy to piece together, and don't feel nearly as mysterious as her intention might have been.

To sum up, I'm glad I read on. Eleanor Oliphant Is Completely Fine won't get unconditional praise from me, and it won't make it on to any of my "favourites" lists (not even "favourite books I read in 2022"), but if you're on the fence, I say go for it. It may subvert some of your expectations, as it did for me, and I like when that happens.

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sherpa2015's review against another edition

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dark emotional funny hopeful sad medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? N/A
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

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sarahreadsalotofbooks's review against another edition

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dark emotional funny sad tense medium-paced

4.0

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moraina's review against another edition

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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

Difficult read because Eleanor felt too relatable. She went through a lot of childhood trauma and blocked much of it out. She’s not very likable to start, which is the point, but as you find out why you develop more sympathy for her. The other characters she befriends are quite likable and help push the story forward.

Definitely a slower-paced read, and while there are plenty of funny moments, I don’t agree with the ratings saying that’s the main vibe of the book. Most of it is quite sad, but it does end on a hopeful note. My only nitpick was having to look up much of her uncommon vocabulary, it made it hard to stay engaged when I had to pick up my phone every few pages.

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caoxtina's review against another edition

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dark emotional funny hopeful 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? It's complicated

3.5

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elliexsiena's review against another edition

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challenging emotional hopeful inspiring 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

This book made me cry more than any other, because it is so beautifully sad. Eleanor Oliphant is a deeply traumatised and therefore shut-down person, who doesn’t really know how to exist in the world,

but through the kindness of a friend she overcomes her unimaginable struggles to ultimately find peace

Honeyman has created a narrative which explores an under-represented social issue: loneliness in young people, and in doing so makes the reader fall completely in love with Eleanor.

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