If you've been skimming through my posts, you may have read about my excitement over the Man Booker prize this season. In an attempt to stay up-to-date with the award, I have been trying to read some of the books that have been long listed. I stumbled upon Eileen in a used bookstore and decided to read it before the winner was announced.
Eileen is a story about a young, single woman living with her alcoholic father in "X-Ville," as she calls it. She works at the local boy's prison and lives a dreary life, almost as if a raincloud is following her everywhere she goes. But as the Christmas season rolls around, Rebecca St. John arrives to work at the prison, and the two strike up an unexpected friendship. Little does Eileen know the consequences of befriending Rebecca. Their friendship will change their lives forever.
I found Eileen to be a great story to read as the weather is getting colder and drearier. The tone of the story is very bleak and it seems as if bad luck is around every corner. If you like sad stories or very messed up main characters, this book is for you.
Eileen is narrated in first person, and we get almost too good of a look into her personal life. She suffers from a lot of trauma and mental illnesses. She is an alcoholic like her father and suffers from anorexia.
Despite Eileen's unlikeableness, I couldn't help but empathize with her. We get to see glimpses of her past and discover answers for why she turned out to be such a depressing character.
The character development of the story is by far the most powerful aspect of the novel. The plot is decent, but if you were to read this book, I would encourage you to focus on the underlying themes and images used to paint this tantalizing story.
My rating 8/10
Happy reading. :)
Yo the feels. I have to read it.. Like now
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