I love this book. I wanted to start there, and be a little blunt, to make sure that you understand just how great it is. I loved it. It was awesome. The Book Fairy magically dropped this one on my desk and so far she’s two for two. 
My favorite part of the book was how the author did a slow reveal about the main character. Eleanor Oliphant is a thirty-something, single woman living in Glasgow. She works in a graphic design office, but only does financial and managerial jobs. She’s very proper and has very set ideas about what should happen and how people should behave. I don’t want to give you too much more because I don’t want to ruin the author’s set up.
Eleanor kind of reminded me of a female, Scottish Sheldon Cooper. I’d say that I’d love to be friends with her, but honestly I don’t think that would be a good idea. We are too much alike – to a certain extent. If we did get together to hang out, we’d probably just sit across from each other at the kitchen table, silently working our own individual crossword puzzles. I’d have a Coke. She’d drink Vodka. It’d be a whole thing. She needs to be friends with someone like my best friend who actually makes me leave the house every now and then to do fun things.
I’m usually a big ending person when it comes to books. I feel like if I invest enough time to read the whole thing, the least the author could do is give me a solid ending. But with Eleanor Oliphant, I didn’t really care. I didn’t hate the ending, don’t get me wrong. It was fine. I just enjoyed the journey so much, that the ending simply was what it was. 
Please read this book. If you like reading books with words, then this one is for you. Read it while you’re on the beach. Get the audio version and take it in the car with you. Read it while hiding under your desk when you get a break at work. Tuck a copy in your bag and read it at the amusement park while your kids make themselves sick riding the same rides over and over again.* Eleanor will be happy to go anywhere with you.
Did I mention that I love this book? Ok. Just checking.
Happy summer reading…about Eleanor Oliphant…
:) Amanda
*Um, who would do that?