Reviews tagging 'Mental illness'

엘리너 올리펀트 는 완전 괜찮아 by Gail Honeyman

440 reviews

charlottefaye's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional hopeful reflective medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.5

 I remember seeing this everywhere when it first came out, but only being 16 when it released it wasn’t of interest to me, as was definitely in my fantasy era/coming out of my reading habit due to starting college. 

My main issue with this book was how it was marketed, being described as a “warm, smart and uplifting story”. I was expecting a light hearted read based around a bit of a “messy” but relatable character trying to navigate life. This was not the experience! The actual book was a lot heavier and darker than what it was marketed as, which completely took me by surprise! 

The story deals with a lot of different topics and situations and was one I was interested to hear about but not always desperate to return to. Again, I think a lot of this is due to my expectations of the book and the subject matter being so different to what I expected. 

I also found a few aspects predictable including on of the main “twists/mysteries” which was revealed at the end, and a few of the plot points did not capture my interest compared to others. 

However, I still enjoyed listening to this audiobook and think it has some important things to say and is something I definitely don’t regret listening to. I would definitely recommend a read if you want a book that deals with past experiences and how these can influence yourself, but you do not have to let them define you and can grow/move on! But just be aware it is not as a light hearted read as it may be made out to be! 

Apparently it’s being turned into a film and I will definitely go see that!

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Mental illness, Alcohol, Fire/Fire injury, Suicide attempt, Grief, Child abuse, and Emotional abuse

Moderate: Child death and Addiction

michellemalonza's review against another edition

dark emotional mysterious 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 really enjoyed the writing of Eleanor's character - the story being told from her POV created a tone that kept me engaged throughout. Eleanor is such a layered & mysterious character who at first came off as overly proper even if she often thought & said things that she shouldn't, she had a standard for how she believed we're meant to participate in society. The story unfolds surprisingly yet beautifully at a pace that feels true to what it feels like to get to know a new friend & see pieces of their life and character come together. I particularly enjoyed the trajectory of her relationship with Raymond & how this influences how much more she believes is possible for herself. I also resonated with how tidily she viewed life despite how messy her experiences had been so far & how she took to practicality as a response to all the chaos & trauma.  Even if we do eventually start to see the real impact of her complicated & very traumatic early life.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Suicide attempt, Abandonment, Child abuse, Sexual violence, Physical abuse, Alcoholism, Emotional abuse, Mental illness, Child death, and Sexual assault

Moderate: Body shaming, Grief, and Injury/Injury detail

greenvelvetreads's review against another edition

challenging 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? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Suicide attempt, Emotional abuse, and Fire/Fire injury

Moderate: Mental illness, Child death, Death, Alcohol, Child abuse, Physical abuse, Panic attacks/disorders, Suicidal thoughts, Alcoholism, and Addiction

Minor: Fatphobia, Sexual assault, and Rape

popsan27's review against another edition

emotional funny lighthearted mysterious sad fast-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

4.0

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Content Warnings

Minor: Alcohol, Death, and Mental illness

knikchevich's review against another edition

dark emotional hopeful mysterious sad 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

3.75

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Suicide attempt, Suicidal thoughts, Gaslighting, Toxic relationship, Death, Emotional abuse, Fire/Fire injury, Grief, Violence, Murder, Physical abuse, Body shaming, Child death, Vomit, Child abuse, Mental illness, Domestic abuse, and Fatphobia

kvvai's review against another edition

dark emotional funny hopeful mysterious 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

3.5

There was quite a bit of Scottish slang as the story is set in Glasgow, Scotland and the author is Scottish. However, it was interesting to learn many new words. The characters in the story made me reflect who I aspire to be in society and how I want to live my life moving forward.  I think the author did a good job foreshadowing what may have happened in Eleanor's past.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Emotional abuse, Toxic relationship, Alcoholism, and Suicide attempt

Moderate: Mental illness and Grief

venturajai31's review against another edition

challenging emotional hopeful inspiring mysterious sad slow-paced

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

5.0

Absolutely beautifully written. There are not enough words to describe the emotional rollercoaster I was on while reading this. It’s not at all what I thought from the blurb, it was a million times better. The growth of Eleanor and her evolution of strength was so beautiful and inspiring. I could not get enough of this!

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Toxic relationship, Vomit, Fire/Fire injury, Murder, Injury/Injury detail, Suicidal thoughts, Grief, Alcoholism, Mental illness, and Emotional abuse

Moderate: Abandonment and Child abuse

cjslillibrary's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional sad tense 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

4.0

This book was absolutely amazing. I seriously didn't expect the ending like wth. Great book

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Fire/Fire injury, Mental illness, Alcoholism, Alcohol, Grief, Medical trauma, Self harm, Suicidal thoughts, and Child abuse

jenmarie11's review against another edition

dark emotional funny

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes

4.25

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Mental illness, Death, Emotional abuse, Physical abuse, Suicide attempt, Child abuse, and Alcoholism

beankels's review against another edition

dark emotional lighthearted 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 don’t know how a book can be both lighthearted and deeply emotional and dark but this book accomplished it. It was the first book in awhile that I didn’t want to stop reading and made me stay up to read more. The relationships were pure, the reflection and growth was inspiring, and I loved cheering on Eleanor. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Abandonment, Physical abuse, Gaslighting, Emotional abuse, Murder, Alcoholism, Child abuse, Child death, Suicidal thoughts, Death, Fire/Fire injury, and Mental illness

Minor: Excrement, Rape, Torture, Vomit, Alcohol, Bullying, and Death of parent