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The Seven Imperfect Rules of Elvira Carr cover art

The Seven Imperfect Rules of Elvira Carr

By: Frances Maynard
Narrated by: Charlie Sanderson
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Summary

Funny, heartwarming and ultimately triumphant, The Seven Imperfect Rules of Elvira Carr is the perfect story for anyone who doesn't quite fit in - and for everyone who chooses not to.

Elvira Carr is 27 and neuro-atypical. Her father - whom she suspects was in the secret service - has passed away, and, after several Unfortunate Incidents growing up, she now spends most of her time at home with her overbearing mother. But when her mother has a stroke and is taken into care, Elvira is suddenly forced to look after herself or risk ending up in sheltered accommodation.

Armed with her Seven Rules, which she puts together after online research, Elvira hopes to learn how to navigate a world that's full of people she doesn't understand. Not even the Seven Rules can help her, however, when she discovers that everything she thought she knew about her father was a lie, and she is faced with solving a mystery she didn't even know existed.

©2017 Frances Maynard (P)2017 Pan Macmillan Publishers Ltd.

What listeners say about The Seven Imperfect Rules of Elvira Carr

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Absolutely brilliant

I had recently listened to Eleanor Oliphant is absolutely fine and thoroughly enjoyed it and saw a comment suggesting if you’d like EO, you should try The Seven imperfect Rules. I have binge listened to this book I enjoyed it so much. The narration fitted the story perfectly and I would absolutely recommend it.

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41 people found this helpful

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Beautiful.

This was an incredibly moving and often very humourous book, with a completely enchanting lead and a fascinating supporting cast. Although you never officially find out what condition Elvira has, the story gives a real insight into the way that people who would identify with her, to a lesser or greater degree, face challenges in daily life. Although it’s in a similar vein to The Cactus and Elenor Oliphant, for me this was a real stand out book that had you truly routing and feeling for Elvira throughout. It was superbly narrated with such emotion, it’s always a sign of a great listen when you’re sad to see the seconds ticking away in the last chapter. I couldn’t recommend this book more highly!!

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26 people found this helpful

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Fantastic!

I have been looking for a book for ages that escapes the hype of The Girl on the Train type novels and this what's the answer to my prayers and I wished it wouldn't end.

I'm not going to write anymore so as not to give anything away but just 3 words - download this book!!

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17 people found this helpful

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Excellent all round

This is such a lovely, sensitively-written and funny book, with just a hint of mystery. It's very sweet, but with a sharp and serious edge that stops it getting too sickly - and the reader is perfect too.

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10 people found this helpful

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Fabulous

Brilliant book, wonderfully read. If you enjoyed Eleanor Oliphant is Absolutely Fine, you’ll enjoy this too.

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6 people found this helpful

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Normal Atypical


Just loved this, lots of comments linking it to Eleanore Oliphant, and yes it is the same theme but different and both equally great books

What I personally liked was that Elvira was not labelled with what was wrong with her. We strode through laugh out loud and toe curling situations with her, and felt her embarrassment, fear and confusion of everyday situations.

The other characters in the book, included her mother who only saw her as a burden, but also lovingly protected her from the outside world and her errant father. Sylvia her neighbour was a gem, however her family had an interesting bunch of misfits, and the people from Animal arcadia.

Elviras rules were certainly some which we could all live by.

Narration by Charlie Sanderson was spot on and flawless.

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5 people found this helpful

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Performsnce was exceptional.

Beautiful and in some places heartbreaking. A good reminder for us all to be kinder!

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5 people found this helpful

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    3 out of 5 stars
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An easy and enjoyable read.

I loved the idea behind this book and how it focused on Elvira navigating her way through life surrounded by normal typicals who were keeping things from her. I felt it was a good storyline and enjoyed listening to her rules and how they seemed so simple yet always had additional learning curves attached to them for her to get her head around.

I didn't feel gripped to the storyline and felt that in some parts it was very repetitive. Easy to finish though and her father's secret was a good thread throughout.

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3 people found this helpful

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A lovely, heartwarming story

Great book, kept my interest throughout. Tense at times but heartwarming. I really enjoyed it.

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3 people found this helpful

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Sweet uplifting

Lovely read direct and insightful - good narration and funny throughout- would recommend as a cuddle of a book

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2 people found this helpful