Mar 8th 2018, 11:27

Sometimes a book gets so much hype that you wonder to yourself if it really can be that good. In the case of this debut it deserves every word of praise.
From the moment I picked this up I was immediately transported into Eleanor's life. It's empty. She works, spends the weekend drinking vodka and sees nobody. The last time anyone came to her flat was when social services carried out one of their six monthly visits.
An unusual visitor for a single adult who is seemingly functioning "fine". Suddenly though Eleanor finds her perfect man and it triggers a string of events that will completely change her life.
Hints are dropped that she has a troubled past and a very dysfunctional relationship with her mother.
It's not until the end though that we find out the full horrors of her past. Eleanor's perfect man is also anything but - fortunately by the time we reach these conclusions her life is also no longer "fine" but full.
You can't help but love Eleanor from the start (even though she seems wholly unlikeable) and there are enough laugh out loud moments to balance some of the more disturbing revelations.
I think this book is as close to perfection as it is possible to get.

'A truly original literary creation: funny, touching and unpredictable. Her journey out of the shadows is expertly woven and absolutely gripping' Jojo Moyes


'Unforgettable, brilliant, funny and life-affirming' Wendy Holden, DAILY MAIL


'Original [and] unexpectedly funny' SUNDAY TIMES


'An outstanding debut about loneliness and the power of a little kindness' MAIL ON SUNDAY


'Heartbreaking and heartwarming' STYLIST


'Brave, smart and funny... the most refreshing and heartwarming debut I've read in some time' YORKSHIRE POST


'A narrative full of quiet warmth and deep and unspoken sadness... Wonderful and joyful' Jenny Colgan, GUARDIAN


'Moving, funny and devastating' THE HERALD


'Heartwrenching and wonderful' Nina Stibbe


'Deft, compassionate and moving' Paula McLain


'I adored it. Skilled, perceptive, Eleanor's world will feel familiar to you from the very first page. An outstanding debut!' Joanna Cannon


'A truly original voice and so good on loneliness: I sobbed and sobbed' Cathy Rentzenbrink


'Hugely original, a funny and sad tale of a survivor who tackles the challenges of emotional reconnection with grave courage. Unmissable.' SUNDAY EXPRESS


'Quirky, witty and absorbing' HEAT


'Warm and funny, moving and deeply original, Eleanor Oliphant is completely marvellous' Gavin Extence


'A beautiful and delicate balance between funny and heartbreaking... restores your faith in humanity' RED


'You'll laugh and cry reading this fine debut' PRIMA


'Impeccable' Dawn O'Porter


'So powerful - I completely loved Eleanor Oliphant' Fiona Barton


'Heartbreaking' Bryony Gordon


'Delightful, dark and moving' Sarah Pinborough


'Warm, quirky and fun, with a real poignancy underneath' Julie Cohen


'A stunning debut! I laughed, wept and reflected' Lucy Clarke


'As perceptive and wise as it is funny and endearing... Warm, funny and thought-provoking' OBSERVER


'An absolute joy, laugh-out-loud funny but deeply moving' DAILY EXPRESS


'Satisfyingly quirky' NEW YORK TIMES