This is a wonderful book. It reminded me of "The Rosie Project". I definitely thought that Eleanor was on the spectrum until over halfway through the book. She might have been too, but when we learn about her childhood, it could be just her way of having some control over her life. Eleanor is odd, but endearing. She is also very funny, in a dry humor kind of way. I actually laughed out loud at times. I loved her attempts at becoming more "normal".
Raymond Gibbons (IT guy at her place of employment) changes her world - and I loved every second of it. Eleanor's history is heartbreaking. She is a closet alcoholic and has no support at the beginning of the story. She has no memory of past traumatic events which have shaped her life. Raymond enters her structured life and opens it up to other possibilities. While she obsesses over a new "love interest" - unknown to the love interest, Raymond becomes involved with the daughter of a man that Raymond & Eleanor help one day when he collapses in the street. This event brings Raymond & Eleanor together and soon they are meeting for lunch once a week; Eleanor is meeting Raymond's mother; Eleanor is adopting a cat that some kids lit on fire; Eleanor starts attending other social events with Raymond, just as friends. Raymond is Eleanor's very first friend. Raymond is Eleanor's only friend.
As Eleanor's world expands, she starts letting other people enter it. She also realizes that she must face her past. Raymond proves what type of man he is when he finds Eleanor in a horrible state in her apartment. Raymond's care of her at that time was incredibly heartwarming. Raymond helped Eleanor save herself from herself. He is a keeper. :) The ending is a bit open-ended, but in my heart, I know what happens. I really loved this book!
Wendy's Rating: *****
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