Phoebe LaMountain

Wow, I don't think I've read a book about loneliness that's so personal in its experience.

In Eleanor Oliphant is completely fine you slowly but surely develop a picture of a whole person. She's not a great person, but she's not a bad either. She doesn't know who she is, she doesn't know she's struggling, which I think is the part that got me the most. This book is a perfect encapsulation of the simple fact that the small moments that we share with others may mean nothing to you, but so much to others.

Definitely a tough read if you're struggling with any sort of mental illness, loneliness or depression. It's a beautiful book of resiliency, but it doesn't mean that it's not hard to read.

4.25

What the fuck? Like how did I read this entire book... nothing happened but... everything happened. I don't know how I feel yet.

I knew it was accumulating to the twin towers and I knew when she said that Trevor and Reva worked there that 911 had to be an important component of the story. when she starts sleeping consistently blacking out I knew it would be a few months before 911 but the buildup was insane...

Few days later. I feel the same, but more sad for her. I feel like there may have been no absolution for the whole time. Even with the ending.

3.4

This book was utterly depressing and invigorating at the same time, which I didn't really think was possible. I love how emotionally intelligent the characters were, but how unsure they were of their actions, which I thought was pretty on par with how peoples lives go in a realistic manner, that being said, I did not like the ending, because I wanted more satisfaction I know it's not a romcom, but I wanted it to end differently.

3.8

This book was sick in like a primal way. I never read any of her novels, but it really just wraps you up. I need like a romance novel or just something light after this I feel gross.

This book was my first of Didion and introduced me to her work. This book is one of the best I have read about grief, loss, and the mental and physical toll it takes on you. Didion is raw, and real in this book, and uses beautiful metaphors and analogies to describe this year of her life, and subsequently the impact on the rest of her life.