"A wildly unique and unforgettable Dublin–set fairy tale about the unforgettably unique Vivian."
Vivian is one of life’s outsiders; an orphan oddity adrift from the world, whose parents told her she was a Changeling. She posts her aunt’s ashes to her aunt’s friends, and then to strangers from the phone book. She advertises for a friend who “Must Answer to Penelope: Pennies Need Not Apply.” Against the odds, a Penelope responds, and a bond is formed but still, Vivian wanders Dublin, doing the strange things that make perfect sense to her, but arouse alarm in others and the question, “Is everything, alright?”
This charming, unsettling, magical story about loneliness, reaching out, friendship and hope is laced with dark humour and whimsy. It is at once briskly amusing and deeply moving, and makes a marvellous companion to Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine.
| Primary Genre | Modern and Contemporary Fiction |
| Recommendations: |
A highly original perspective on everyday life.
Eggshells by Caitriona Lally is a highly original novel set in Dublin. Vivian, a young woman who has just inherited her aunt’s house, believes that she is a changeling and is seeking a way to cross the cosmic divide back to fairyland. The book is an account of Vivian’s (earthly) life over a period of a few months and the various encounters with people and places enable us to see the world through her eyes. While most of Vivian’s reasonings are, to say the least, rather offbeat, I thought that some of her observations about dealing with loud people and escaping awkward social situations were quite insightful.... Read Full Review
For fans of Eleanor Oliphant and Bee Larkham. Quirky characters, Dublin-based, funny and sad at the same time!
This short novel is a quick read that reads well if you familiar with Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine set very much in modern Dublin. The main character, Vivian is on an autistic spectrum, with mental health and learning disabilites, that first seem like being odd and anti-social. You don't warm to her too much and there is not much in a way of a plot. Here and there you have almost pages of long lists, which definitely brings on the autistic spectrum quite well, but does not add to the book itself and drags. There were a few very well written comic passages of misunderstandings, that made me laugh out loud! We will learn about the reasons why Vivian is like she is, but there could be more about her great-aunt and reasons why her sister is selfish and cold.... Read Full Review
A beautifully written and charming story which will have you laughing and will bring tears to your eyes.
A quiet and unique story about Vivian who finds herself living alone in her Great Aunt's house and trying to work out the world around her and where she stands in it.
I loved Vivian from the first page, I loved her personality and her descriptions of Dublin as she explores the City.
A brilliantly written novel.... Read Full Review
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