2017, Mantle
393 pgs.
Adult CRF
Finished 9/30/17
Goodreads rating: 4.02 - 477 ratings
My rating: 5, I think
Setting: Contemporary England
First line/s: "I was scrubbing potatoes when it happened."
My comments: This was a charming, multi-layered story, told in the first person by Elvira herself. Elvira has autism/Aspergers, and has been ruled -- and bullied -- by her overbearing mother for her entire 25 - or - so years. That changes, however, when her mother has a serious stroke at the very beginning of the story. Elvira learns to cope and appear more "normal" with the help of many caring individuals. I love this book. It takes you into the head and heart of a gril with a condition that is incredibly difficult to understand.
Goodreads synopsis: A socially challenged young woman is finally forced to find her place in the world in this breathtaking and moving debut
Elvira Carr believes in crisp schedules, clear guidelines, and taking people at face value. She lives at home with her overbearing mother, who has deemed her unfit to interact with the rest of society.
But when her mother has a stroke, Ellie is suddenly forced to look after herself. She quickly comes up with an ingenious way of coping with the world: the seven social rules spreadsheet.
Unfortunately, Ellie soon discovers that most people don't live their lives within a set of rules. As she experiences social missteps and awkward encounters, Ellie continues to learn – about herself, and the people around her. And she'll need this new knowledge if she hopes to pave the way to living life on her own terms.
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