Every so often a book
comes along that gets wonderful reviews from others but that I just didn’t like
that much. Such is the case with Jason
Gurley’s Eleanor. This novel is so fantastical (and not in the effective Neil Gaiman way), that it was difficult to follow along with, and by ¾ of
the way in, I wanted it to be done.
The beginning of Eleanor leaves no indication of where
it’s eventually going. Eleanor is mother
to Agnes and wife to Hob, who one day swims into the water never to be seen
again. Fast forward decades later and
Agnes is now mother to red-headed twins, Esmerelda and Eleanor, who is obviously named
for her grandmother. On the way to pick
up their husband and father, Paul, from the airport, Esmerelda is tragically
killed in a car accident. Everyone is
shattered, and a few years later, Eleanor enters another world —literally. This is where the story takes a downturn, and
while I admire Gurley’s ambition, I felt this just didn’t
pair well with the beginning of the book.
If I’ve learned nothing
else as an avid reader and reviewer, it’s that all books aren’t for
everyone. But don’t let my opinion stop
you from picking up Eleanor — you
might just love it.
MY RATING - 2
