Viva Eleanor!

This is a great debut novel from a mature author and which goes to prove that it is never too late to start your writing career. Eleanor is a character we could all probably recognise. She is the office misfit who shows no interest in joining in with the general gossip and chitchat and whose appearance is functional rather than attractive. Like many similar people she has disappeared into the background and is only noticed when she retaliates after being mocked. Despite her isolation Eleanor is no shrinking violet and we quickly learn from her excessive weekend drinking habits that there is something seriously wrong in her life.
This is the story of Eleanor’s reawakening and from it we learn the importance of human interaction which is the food and drink of everybody’s soul. The development of Eleanor’s relationship with the office nice guy /slob is a joyous awakening to the possibility of a better life. This is a splendid story filled with laughter and love but also the damage that one evil person can wreak on innocent people.
At times it is a difficult listen and the excellent narrator delivers some very hard emotional punches but it all adds up into a tale of hope and a lesson to make us value our friends, colleagues and the whole darned world (including the cats).

106 of 109 people found this review helpful

Wonderful book, superb narration!

This is one of the best books I have read/listened to. It is beautifully written, with a light touch (no underestimating the reader here) exploring many difficult issues for a women with a traumatic childhood history. In addition to understandable psychological problems, the main protagonist also has mild aspergers syndrome. All of the characters are extremely well drawn, and I loved many of them. Despite the subject matter, it is not always intense (though at appropriate times, it is). There are warm and lovely moments, laugh out loud moments and moments that may move you to tears. Not a single word is wasted here.

In addition, the narration for the audiobook may be the best I have heard. I have several favourite narrators who are always engaging and faultless. McCarron brings something more though. Her ability with accents and in varying voices is at such a high standard as to be remarkable. I keenly look forward to more by this author and I will probably try audiobooks that I might not otherwise when narrated by McCarron.

Highly recommended.

99 of 103 people found this review helpful

Wonderful audiobook

This is a fabulous audiobook which I cannot recommend highly enough. The writing is spot-on. Eleanor is superbly brought to life in the most painstaking and heart wrenching way. Seeing her reborn, almost, is really special. Loved all the other characters too, especially Raymond and his mum. All the small details are what make this book special and bring it to life.
I hope the author has another book out very soon.
The narrator was brilliant too. This is the best book I have listened to on Audible.

32 of 34 people found this review helpful

Deliciously original quirky story about loneliness

Loved this book! Beautifully written story dealing with loneliness and the effects of tragedy in childhood. Optimistic, sensitive, emotionally congruent - and with literary depth. The reader makes the book sing.

32 of 34 people found this review helpful

Brilliant!

Just brilliant. The story is gripping and the narration is excellent. One of those books you just don't want to end. I rationed myself! I'd recommend this to anyone. Good luck Eleanor Oliphant!

19 of 20 people found this review helpful

Amazing. Touching. Complete

I loved this book- it's really out of my normal genre (crime drama) this is a wonderful, complete story of a woman on her journey of recovering from childhood trauma.
The characters are excellent, voices brilliant. I could not put this down. You'll be so pleased you listened to this.

18 of 19 people found this review helpful

grows on you

it started off a bit slow but it turned out to be a very lovely book indeed

25 of 27 people found this review helpful

Puts Bridget Jones in the shade

What made the experience of listening to Eleanor Oliphant Is Completely Fine the most enjoyable?

Firstly may I say that I don't often read feel good type novels. Stephen King is more my forte. But every now and again I'll see a book cover that catches my eye, or wonder if the latest 'big book' really is worth all the hype. I actually listened to this novel via audio book, and from the moment I heard the narrator's gorgeous Scottish accent, I was completely drawn in.
This is no Bridget Jones. Eleanor puts her in the shade. She's a totally unique character, a one of a kind who you can't help but feel empathy for. We've all felt alone at some point in our lives, haven't we? The subject matter has been written so beautifully, you can't fail to be moved. I was also pleasantly surprised by the numbers of twists and turns this book took. I loved the relationship between Eleanor and her mother, which took me completely by surprise. As for her interaction with the rest of the characters... I won't spoil the story but suffice to say I smiled so many times at the touching and heartfelt moments portrayed in this book. It made me laugh, it almost made me cry, no mean feat for this cynical ex copper, believe me.
This is one of my favourite books of the year. Prepare to be moved.

6 of 6 people found this review helpful

Wrong Synopsis

If this book wasn’t for you, who do you think might enjoy it more?

The problem with this book is the synopsis. The synopsis doesn't mention at all that there's an element of child abuse, so that the mental problems the main character is facing is because of that. Also, because this is an audible version, it was very disturbing to listen to it.

How would you have changed the story to make it more enjoyable?

First of all, there needs to be more honesty at the synopsis. Child abuse is a serious matter. I think the book is written in a way it's taking it very lightly. Also, the main character is described naturally witty and unique. She's just really messed up, and it's a stretch to describe it funny.

What does Cathleen McCarron bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you had only read the book?

Actually it was too much vividness of the drama that disturbed me. Hearing the Mum was uncomfortable.

What character would you cut from Eleanor Oliphant Is Completely Fine?

Mummy

Any additional comments?

Audible should have a mechanism to tell people if the book has disturbing elements like child abuse, rape, severe depression, etc. I'm very disappointed that the book is marketed as a 'feel good'. It has very disturbing elements for a long time in the book. The fact that it ended well doesn't mean it was right to market it as 'witty'.

12 of 13 people found this review helpful

Beautiful and charming book

This is where the content of the book, and the reader, just come together beautifully. I was totally enthralled, and the book holds you right to the end. The book has a lovely beat to the story...like the waves of the sea, bringing in different parts of a harrowing story, giving you time to think about it, before being engulfed with another wave of information. Beautiful.

8 of 9 people found this review helpful