Eleanor Oliphant is perfectly fine...indeed!

Just yesterday, I finished reading this book called “Eleanor Oliphant is perfectly fine” and I’m writing a post about the book is a testimony to the fact that it wasn’t one of those books that don’t leave you with an afterthought.



I was initially a little suspicious about picking up this book, seeing a slightly lower rating on Goodreads (3.85/5) but after the torture I went through with LOTR, I would’ve pounced even on a Chetan Bhagat novel. I was fortunate to have other alternatives lined up for me in this respect.
This is the kind of story which piques your interest right from page one. Our protagonist, Eleanor, is not anti-social. She just doesn’t know the world any other way. She only starts exploring the oh-so-varied ways of life rather late. Her wide-eyed amusement at this new-found awareness all too often reminded me of Sheldon Cooper’s character from the famous show Big Bang Theory. But Eleanor set herself apart in many different ways, so the similarity with Sheldon did not irk me for too long.
Eleanor happens to chance-meet a colleague from work called Raymond who serves as a catalyst in Eleanor’s journey of finding her true self. Raymond is empathetic, selfless, sensitive and a very caring friend. Basically he’s one of those too-good-to-be-true kind of guys you can find in stories and stories only.


The story went on at a very soothing pace and I found myself rooting for Eleanor & her recovery and wanting to know what happened in her childhood that so scarred her that she’s unable to free herself from its grasp.


The story ended on a happy note. Surprisingly, what I thought was a prelude to an impending romance turned out to be a false signal. In the end, Eleanor doesn’t end up with a man to give meaning to her life. She finds friends who stand by her side, she finds hope to latch on to. Still... Eleanor stands alone, yet she stands strong.


The book leaves you with a gentle smile and a glimpse at the endless possibilities that lay open for Eleanor. Sometimes it’s all what you want to know and read.
Well, this novel did leave me with a pleasant feeling and lots of new words to enhance my vocabulary. My next book, I’ve decided, is going to be Jane Eyre. Although, I’m not a huge fan of romance novels...but I decided to go for this cause a classic is a classic. I sure hope Jane Eyer doesn’t bore me to death as LOTR did.


With that, here’s time for the word of the day:
Accoutrements: an additional item of dress or equipment.
Ciao!

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