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By: NELS 099
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2025-06-20 17:56:59 |
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Everyone in the group read the book and it provided a great discussion, probably the most of all books so far. There was a range of views from average to excellent. We liked the humor, and the fact it wasn't predictable. Everyone found it easy to read and it raised some very interesting discussion points. |
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By: CHCH 557
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2025-05-14 22:43:33 |
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We all enjoyed the book, and it generated some very interesting conversations particularly around the impact of trauma and social isolation. |
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By: DUNED 115
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2025-03-26 12:51:34 |
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Loved, loved this book! Even as a 2nd read for some it was beloved. Fabulously written, captivating and yet delicately told, covering many issues - social, financial, emotional etc. A must read. |
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By: CHCH 558
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2024-11-19 19:09:10 |
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Funny and touching book despite of the heavy topics. We found it to be quite empathetic, and most of us liked Eleanor's character. |
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By: DUNED 072
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2024-08-07 10:02:45 |
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We all loved the story and the writing. |
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By: RICH 007
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2024-06-24 11:49:03 |
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A very well crafted story enjoyed by the whole group. The following discussion that evolved from themes of loneliness, childhood abuse and trauma, and the discussion questions were excellent. The book had all the elements of a great story - intrigue, humour, sadness, mystery, and an unexpected twist at the end. |
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By: CHCH 449
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2024-05-07 15:17:18 |
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Brilliant, humorous, emotional, harrowing... some of the many words we used to describe this book. Consequently, some members loved it, others not much. We all found it rather challenging in places; one chose not to continue reading it until we discussed it, then she did finish it and enjoyed it..... so stick with it and be prepared for a surprise ending! Well-written and easy to read. |
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By: TAUR 049
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2023-07-12 10:06:15 |
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Excellent book. Very well-written with the main characters fully developed. Use of language, humour, and pace of the unfolding of the story so clever. All members really found the book exceptionally thought provoking. |
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By: PALMN 029
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2023-02-23 19:17:20 |
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All of us read and enjoyed the book. The author has some really great memorable lines that we quoted to each other, and she did a great job giving us a unique view to the world. It shows the importance of being kind and open to people. |
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By: CHCH 523
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2022-09-03 08:30:00 |
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Although this book is listed as a 'light read' none of us agreed with that! The book was enjoyed though and the issue of mental health was a discussion point. Eleanor is a great protagonist. |
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By: CHCH 537
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2022-06-20 15:52:07 |
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We all loved the book, and it generated some very interesting conversations particularly around loneliness. Highly recommend. |
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By: NGON 002
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2022-05-02 12:25:10 |
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Most of us loved it, with just a few exceptions. We loved the way it was written. Many chuckles. We really felt for Eleanor, and thought Raymond was an amazing man. |
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By: AMBER 006
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2021-10-13 15:54:53 |
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We all loved this book and would be keen to read others by this author. |
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By: AUCK 412
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2021-10-12 21:28:03 |
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Almost everyone loved this book, depsite the unusual writing style. The twist near the end was totally unexpected. A great insight into loneliness, family trauma, mental health and friendship. Very thought-provoking. |
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By: AUCK 153
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2021-08-27 12:38:08 |
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We all enjoyed this book immensely. Excellent characters, especially the main character. Real page turner. Very emotionally involving. |
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By: THAM 008
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2021-08-27 12:36:59 |
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Mixed response from group readers. Some loved it, others didn't enjoy. Readers were able to make connections between Eleanor (the character in the story) and similar people known to them in the real world. Overall a mixed response from the group. |
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By: CHCH 155
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2021-03-16 20:18:00 |
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Our group were unanimous in their enjoyment of this book. The characters were very believable and we loved the humour but appreciated the pathos that Eleanor was dealt. We all thought we could imagine Eleanor and Raymond having a rich rewarding 'friendship'. A great book. |
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By: TEKUI 003
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2020-10-08 13:04:12 |
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We all enjoyed reading about Eleanor and her struggles. |
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By: WHITBY 002
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2020-05-28 15:08:15 |
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We all loved this book, found it easy to read with interesting, recognisable characters. We all enjoyed Eleanor's views of people and situations which were unintentionally humorous, and empathised with her as, with Raymond's help, she started to break down her inhibitions. Highly recommended. |
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By: WHANG 023
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2020-05-27 14:00:04 |
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Enjoyed immensely by those that read it. Definitely a "different" book and challenging in places. Very well written and characterised. An interesting journey as the empathy for the main character goes from negligible to full on as the story progresses. Unpredictable story that kept you surprised and held. Highly recommended. |
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By: CHCH 240
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2020-02-28 12:39:11 |
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Everyone in our group loved this book. Very well written and with differing perspectives of character portrayal. Main character, Eleanor, was damaged by circumstances in her past and repressed it - her defence mechanism for survival. Interesting character relationships, bringing our compassion without anything too soppy. |
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By: PAIHIA 001
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2019-11-09 14:26:07 |
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We all enjoyed this. Another story about some interesting and unusual characters, and a heroine who you feel might go from one disaster to another and so we were all rooting for her. A story of triumph. |
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By: ONAWE 001
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2019-10-05 20:19:05 |
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Everyone at the meeting really enjoyed this book, 5 stars definitely. Eleanor was at heart a simple soul but had such a traumatic childhood, all characters (apart from her mother) were very much people we could identify with in our own connections with family and friends. There was a lot of empathy & kindness from characters in the book, along with a realisation of how people can be so lonely even though they have regular contact with their workmates and neighbours. |
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By: CHCH 113
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2019-07-26 14:45:45 |
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Group scored this book a high 4 out of 5. Members enjoyed the character development, and no one picked the twist at the end! The book was full of hope for goodness within people - as well as sadness and loneliness. It had an overall positive feel to it, with lots of 'warm fuzzies'. |
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By: NELS 014
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2019-03-27 13:13:32 |
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We all loved/enjoyed/wept/laughed/connected with Eleanor in so many ways! Which of course resulted in a marvellously entertaining discussion, definitely one for everyone. |
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By: CHCH 423
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2019-03-01 14:11:18 |
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A very good book - funny, fast-paced, a good ending and a page-turner. Parts were a little too contrived but that's only a minor criticism. |
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By: CHCH 125
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2019-03-01 14:09:19 |
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We found this a very compelling story with endearing characters. |
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By: NELS 076
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2019-03-01 14:03:33 |
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We loved watching Eleanor grow throughout the novel - and loved how unpredictable the story was. |
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By: CHCH 392
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2019-03-01 13:54:49 |
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Fantastic book. |
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By: TAUR 004
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2019-03-01 13:54:20 |
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This is a top read. Perfect for the holiday period. Everyone loved it, and no one picked the twist at the end. |
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By: MARTIN 004
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2019-02-28 15:01:33 |
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It was generally enjoyed; a quirky and original perspective on 'normal' life. An unreliable narrator who was like a Martian on earth. The group wants to read more from this author. |
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By: GORE 007
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2019-02-28 14:59:32 |
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All the readers thoroughly enjoyed this and can't wait for the movie. |
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By: WESTO 001
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2019-02-22 15:23:34 |
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This book was enjoyed by the group and we are recommending it to others. Created discussion about loneliness in the modern world, and how people/work places treat each other/staff. Very good read. |
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By: CHCH 318
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2019-01-16 11:55:57 |
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We all loved this book.. It is a charming book about a quirky loner - warm and funny but also heartbreaking. We thought Eleanor was probably autistic but maybe it was her early life and her mother that damaged her. Definitely would recommend. |
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