Eleanor Oliphant Is Completely Fine

Really enjoyed this book. At first I thought it was another one of those novels featuring a person on the spectrum who doesn't quite understand social encounters, causing hilarity to ensue (I'm coming to hate those books) but there is something far darker in Eleanor's past that has led to her isolation and awkwardness. Watching her slowly emerge from her shell and build a few tentative relationships is poignant and sweet, and okay more than a little bit funny. Plus there's a fat scene-stealing cat who helps melt Eleanor's heart, so my feline-loving self was extra happy.

I will say that the jacket description is somewhat misleading; the old man who is rescued by Eleanor and her IT coworker Raymond plays a different role from what I had been expecting, but that doesn't take away from the story's strength and heart. An excellent life-affirming novel that never stoops to too much treacle or sentimentality. Very impressive for a debut author.

ETA on re-read May 2018: Maybe even better as a re-read because you can see all of the clues you missed the first time through for the plot twists.