1. Why do you think Eleanor leads a lonely life? What factors contribute to her unconventional personality?I think the reasons were probably many and complex but I would imagine her lonely life stems from a deep rooted distrust and fear of other people. I expect that 'Mummy', the one person she should have been able to trust, abusing Eleanor in every way she possibly could would have significantly contributed to her unconventional personality. I think Eleanor used aloofness and routine as coping mechanisms to deal with her abusive past and terrible tragedy.
2. What are some things that Eleanor has to learn that most of us take for granted? Why does she want to change her appearance?Eleanor has to learn social skills and understand appropriate emotional responses. When she starts to have an understanding of other peoples expectations, it makes her question herself and her lifestyle. I think the reason she wanted to change her appearance is a practical response to wanting people to like her (largely @johnnielrocks)
3. Why does Eleanor feel sorry for beautiful people? Do you think there’s some truth in her reasoning? Why or why not?She feels sorry for them because she thinks that outer beauty is largely temporary. She also seems to understand that jealousy is something beautiful people would have to contend with. I guess there is some truth in her reasoning but I also feel beautiful young people can age beautifully too. The question is really, what defines beauty?
4. Describe Eleanor’s relationship with her mother. Why do you think Eleanor keeps in regular contact with her?I found this a difficult question to answer but, we know that Eleanor felt guilty that she wasn't able to protect her little sister from 'Mummy' and not being able to save her from the fire. As readers, we put pieces together as we read the story and we didn't know what Eleanor's involvement was until the end of the book. I think she stays in contact with 'Mummy' as it's the only way she can punish herself for her, as it transpires, misplaced guilt.
5. Little gestures of kindness mean a lot to Eleanor. Why? Do you think most people overlook the importance of thoughtfulness?I think they mean a lot because she's experienced so little kindness in her life. I think we can all at times overlook the importance of thoughtfulness partly because we take it for granted if we have supportive families or friendships but also, fear that kindness can be taken the wrong way, especially in a world where we are more suspicions of people's intentions.
6. Eleanor often speaks her mind. Does her forthrightness make you uncomfortable or make you cheer for her?I found her forthrightness refreshing and utterly hilarious!!! I actually did laugh out loud at some of the things she said. My favourite was when she told the man at the party that she simply wasn't interested in spending two drinks worth of time with him
7. How does Eleanor and Raymond’s relationship evolve? Where do you see them in five years?Eleanor and Raymond's friendship evolved beautifully, slowly and meaningfully. They grew to genuinely care for each other even if they didn't always understand each other. I love that!
I always used to hate books that didn't neatly wrap things up or have an epilogue. Now I love an ambiguous ending because it means I can create my own....
Eleanor and Raymond obviously never 'fell' in love, they just realised that they were.
Things happened pretty quickly after that and Raymond's Mum was over the moon when Eleanor and Raymond got married and moved in with her to help care for her when her health began to deteriorate. Raymond's Mum eventually had to move into a care home but lived to a ripe old age, long enough to meet her grand-daughter who was utterly doted on by her parents.
Oh.. and Raymond quit smoking when he found out Eleanor was pregnant!!
8. Raymond tells Eleanor that she deserves nice things. Why do you think he feels that way? Do you agree with him?He had googled Eleanor's history so knew what had happened (before we did), so I think his heart was just full of hurt for her. He knew she was in pain and even though he didn't always understand her, he wanted to make her feel better. He felt that she deserved better from life in general and I wholeheartedly agree with him.
9. When does Eleanor start to feel hopeful about her life? What signs of positive change did you notice in her day-to-day routine?I think she starts to feel hopeful when she realises she likes experiencing new things and when she realises that she isn't all the things that 'Mummy' had told her she was. She started to see life as it really was and not through the fog of her past. The postive change I noticed in her day to day routine was that it stopped being day to day routine. She noticed her appearance, she noticed the place in which she lived and eventually started to discover her own likes and dislikes (the frog pouffe got binned).
10. How did you feel about the ending of the book? Did it change your perspective about Eleanor?I loved the ending of the book. At one point I found myself holding back from completely adoring Eleanor because I thought there may be a twist in which it turned out Eleanor had started the fire for reasons that I wouldn't like. I was so relieved when I found that not to be the case.
I loved Eleanor from the start so my perspective didn't really change. I found her lack of social skills and her way of blurting out unfiltered truths endearing and absolutely hilarious.
The thing that strikes me about this book is that even though it's underpinned by an awful storyline of abuse and the tragic death of a child, Eleanor's character and her humorous interactions with other people far overshadows the sadness. This book can honestly make you actually laugh out loud one moment and then make you feel like crying by the end of the same page.
This book is one of the best I've read and one of the few I could definitely read again. Loved it!!!
