Thursday 14 June 2018



You know when you really, really loathe a book that everybody else seems to be gushing about?

And then a friend says, 'Have you read, "Eleanor Oliphant ...?"'

And you brace yourself -

And the friend says, 'Oh, I hated it!'

And you think, whew, we can still be friends.

8 comments:

Mary said...

I'll make an exception, Sue!

Mary said...

You wouldn't like our book group, Sue - we take no prisoners!

Pam said...

I didn't hate it, but I thought it was pretty unconvincing. Eleanor didn't seem consistent at all, and as for the saintly Raymond...

Anonymous said...

Thank you, Mary! I have almost lost count of the number of times I have had to brace myself at the words, 'Have you read Eleanor Olliphant? I loved it...'. Your post made me laugh.

Gina said...

That has happened to me at our book club when everyone else has absolutely loved a book that I felt was a waste of the paper it was printed on. I did enjoy Eleanor Oliphant though... so hope we can still be friends!

Donnafugata said...

Couldn't agree more. I have been pusillanimous in my responses - nodding and smiling and saying nothing - but now I just tell people I really didn't like it. At all. Oh the relief!!

Vronni's Style Meanderings said...

I loved it although I know it seem a bit contrived. I hope we may remain friends?

My best friend and of 50+ years disagree about 'Pride and Prejudice'. It's her favourite book and she rereads it yearly. We did it at school and I hated it. I had a row with my English teacher about it saying it was all about posh people and the need to get married. I'm older and wiser now but I still haven't read it again. It's on my list though...

Mary said...

Not if you don't love P&P, Veronica! (I have a very academic friend who refuses to read it!)

I think what I dislike about 'women's books' like Eleanor O is that feeling of being emotionally manipulated - I don't do 'heart-warming' if I see it coming! Mind you, I should have known better - a plug on the cover from Jo-Jo Moyes is hardly a recommendation.