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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.
I'll make an exception, Sue!
ReplyDeleteYou wouldn't like our book group, Sue - we take no prisoners!
ReplyDeleteI didn't hate it, but I thought it was pretty unconvincing. Eleanor didn't seem consistent at all, and as for the saintly Raymond...
ReplyDeleteThank 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.
ReplyDeleteThat 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!
ReplyDeleteCouldn'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!!
ReplyDeleteI loved it although I know it seem a bit contrived. I hope we may remain friends?
ReplyDeleteMy 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...
Not if you don't love P&P, Veronica! (I have a very academic friend who refuses to read it!)
ReplyDeleteI 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.