Reese Witherspoon Book Club Review: “Eleanor Oliphant”

I just finished reading Reese Witherspoon’s latest book club selection – Ally Condie’s suspenseful thriller, The Unweddingwhich I really liked – it got me thinking: what other gems are hidden among the star’s book club recommendations? Of course, I went back to the beginning and picked up the very first book of the Reese Witherspoon Book Club: Eleanor Oliphant is doing perfectly well. And friends, I loved it. Read on to read my full review (including why I highly recommend you pick up a copy if you haven’t already).

The book opens with Eleanor Oliphant, nearly 30, living alone in Glasgow. She is, for lack of a better word, quirky. She follows a strict daily routine that includes working nine to five in her accountancy job for nearly a decade and coming into contact with as few people as possible. When she does have to interact with others, she is awkward and ignores social cues and norms. (Her reaction to seeing people flirting is worth the price of admission alone.)

Throughout the book, Gail Honeyman gradually reveals details of Eleanor’s traumatic past, including stays in several foster homes, a large scar on her cheek, and weekly phone calls with her “mommy,” who is currently in prison.

She’s basically stuck in a rut her whole life until she meets Raymond, a nice, easy-going coworker who becomes her first real friend. At first she finds him sloppy and unkempt, but he’s pretty much the only person in the office – or in her life in general – who treats her like a normal person.