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A review by kalishka
Eleanor Oliphant Is Completely Fine by Gail Honeyman
lighthearted
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
A tale of two halves… or two thirds/one third!
The first 2/3 were very slow for me. I have ASD and I felt the character of Eleanor was coded as ASD but her traits were supposed to be ‘quirky’ and ‘funny’ - personally they were not to me as it was far too relatable while being stereotypical.
The last third takes a sharp turn into depression, suicide, therapy and trauma, which went further than I was expecting, and it seems more like Eleanor’s personality is a result of her childhood trauma rather than as a result of a neurodivergency. I don’t know which the author was intending so can’t comment further on that. I found it much more interesting than the first section, but I still wouldn’t say I enjoyed it…
I would highly recommend the audiobook though - the narration is brilliant!
The first 2/3 were very slow for me. I have ASD and I felt the character of Eleanor was coded as ASD but her traits were supposed to be ‘quirky’ and ‘funny’ - personally they were not to me as it was far too relatable while being stereotypical.
The last third takes a sharp turn into depression, suicide, therapy and trauma, which went further than I was expecting, and it seems more like Eleanor’s personality is a result of her childhood trauma rather than as a result of a neurodivergency. I don’t know which the author was intending so can’t comment further on that. I found it much more interesting than the first section, but I still wouldn’t say I enjoyed it…
I would highly recommend the audiobook though - the narration is brilliant!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcohol, Forced institutionalization, Gaslighting, Mental illness, Abandonment, Alcoholism, and Emotional abuse
Moderate: Suicidal thoughts, Stalking, Child abuse, Suicide, Child death, and Suicide attempt
Minor: Classism and Physical abuse