Invisible Ellen

Written by Shari Shattuck

Narrated by Shari Shattuck

In the bestselling tradition of Jennifer Weiner, a clever, funny yet poignant novel about the friendship between two absolutely unforgettable women.

For many of us, there comes a moment when we wish we were invisible.

For Ellen Homes, not only does she wish it . . . she actually lives it.

She spends her days quietly observing but unobserved, watching and recording in her notebooks the lives of her neighbors, coworkers, and total strangers. Overweight, socially stunted, and utterly alone, one night Ellen saves a blind young woman from being mugged. 

Then everything changes.

Character-driven, poignant, and leavened with touches of humor and witty dialogue, Invisible Ellen is a remarkable novel about personal transformation, morality, the power of friendship, and the human need for connection with others.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Penguin Random House Audio
• Release date: May 29, 2014
• ISBN: 9780698167186

Reviews for Invisible Ellen

[paperbackpropensity · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Invisible Ellen is a nice book, with characters I felt were very real. I related in my to how invisible Ellen felt, and related to the anxiety and fear of having to have anything to do with the real world and people in it. It is not as deep, or meaty a book as I thought it was going to be, but it makes for a breezy summer read, one that is sweet, honest, and even funny at times.

[lauramoore_1 · Rating: 2 out of 5 stars]

I had high hopes for this book considering I feel like I could relate to someone who never really stood out but more so always on the sidelines. I found it really hard to get into the story and not only that but it left a lot to be desired. I finished this book on the train and left it behind because I thought maybe someone else would enjoy it more then I did. I finished it and didn't DNF it, so I gave it 2 stars, but just left a lot to be desired in my opinion.

[avanders_1 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

I don't know how Shari Shattuck got her perspective, but she succeeded where Shriver (Big Brother) failed. After having finished Big Brother, in fact, if I had remembered why Invisible Ellen was on my list, I might have passed.I'm glad I didn't.This is a book about a woman who has spent the first couple decades of her life perfecting the art of being invisible to other people. Between the way she walks, her posture, the way she smooths hair over her face, stays in corners, etc., she has essentially become "invisible" in society. The reason for this is several-fold, but essentially, her life was hard enough to make her uninterested in participating it. So she's happy with her chosen invisible life. She has no friends, no family, works the graveyard shift at Costco, etc. And yeah, she takes her comfort in comfort foods.. the worst of it. Anything bad for you is high on Ellen's list of to-eats.Then one day, on her way to work, a blind woman stumbles into her on the bus, and treats her like everyone else. Which Ellen is not used to. This blind woman is charismatic, friendly, and full of life and intrigues Ellen. So when the blind woman gets off the spot, Ellen, who is very early for work and only couple spots away, decides to follow her a little. Lucky she did because two men decide they want to mug the blind woman and as they're running away, Ellen suddenly decides to do what she never does... get involved. Ellen recovers Temerity's purse and Temerity insists on thanking her with a meal. Thus begins the unlikely and unusual friendship of Ellen and Temerity, which is really what this book is about. As the book proceeds, the reader is let into more and more of Ellen's past and why it was so horrible and why, among her weight and her half-burned face, she hates many common environments and peoples. It is an encouraging, hopeful, and honest book. A lot of bad things surround Ellen and Temerity brings her light. But Ellen is also able to substantially give back to the relationship in ways that Ellen cannot understand are worthwhile. Due in part to Ellen's ability to blend in with the background, she is privy to a lot of private information in the world, which she and Temerity decide to interfere in, just a little.The book is funny, light, heavy, and moving. It's not perfect---Temerity's over-the-top laughing at herself wears a little thin and their involvement in some of the stories around them is a little-less-than convincing---but it's really very good. And it does a really great job of providing a little insight into how someone like Ellen lives, why, and where it all leads, or can lead. I really enjoyed this and I'm thoroughly glad I read it.And I'd definitely recommend the book. Especially to people who are seeking more understanding into the inner psyche of someone who has placed themselves on the fringes of society. Obviously everyone is different and has a different story, but here's one that makes sense and was presented in a respectful and, as I say, honest way. FOUR+ stars!

[llevine2934 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

While this book had a predictable plot it was still a lighthearted read. The characters were relatable and would most likely be relatable to most readers. Overall I would recommend it but there where parts that could have been better

[chasingpenguins · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

A book showing the overlooked and underappreciated individuals in society. This novel follows Ellen on a journey of transformation. It shows a part of society that usually isn't showcased in books, and many people would be able to relate to this book. An enjoyable read overall, although not as deep as some would probably like.

[radella_2 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

I really enjoyed reading this book. Although it was somewhat outside my normal genres, I really identified with the main character. Ellen is forgettable to almost everyone in the story, yet that makes her a completely unforgettable character. Everyone around her ignores the overweight girl who doesn't say anything, until the moment when she inexplicably acts out of character. That one moment changes her life... and it wasn't just that we were told she acted out of character (like so many books want to do) we see Ellen's normal routine, and then we see the physical and emotional reactions to her action. it just seemed so real. And the book continues like this- showing how Ellen changes so vividly you can feel her pain and turmoil. The descriptions of people, feelings, and places make this an easy book to get lost in... I read the first few chapters pool-side, and I was so engrossed in the story I didn't end up getting in the water! While the plot is a somewhat predictable, it is well worth picking up. It makes me sort of wonder how many people like Ellen there are out there... and the difference a smile and a greeting can make in someone's life. It is easy to read, but the themes run deep and are profound. It's a book that sticks with you.

[marcyjill · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Invisible Ellen is the story of Ellen an overweight loner who is going through her life trying to stay unnoticed. She observes, but she hangs in the shadows to avoid interaction and especially potential scorn. One day she impulsively helps a blind woman while she is being mugged and the two embark on a friendship which is new to both of them. Ellen's friendship with Temerity, the blind woman, slowly draws Ellen out of the box she's built for herself and into the world. Overall this book starts out really wonderfully. I enjoyed watching Ellen change in small steps and almost without being aware at first, being confused by her own actions. She is a touching character and her friendship with Temerity builds in a way that fast friendships do. I found the ending to be a little needlessly over-dramatic and it could have reached the same conclusion without that, using something less fantastic, and the reader could be left in the same place. The fantastic drama took away from the beautiful journey Ellen was on. Despite that, this is a very enjoyable read that makes you think about what empathy and loneliness are.

[katkealy · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

I enjoyed this book about a woman who spends most of her life trying to be invisible before she gets involved with helping a woman who makes her see the rest of the world. I won't explain why this is a bit ironic, since I think the book is worth reading.The book doesn't have as much substance as I expected, but that makes it a good (and very quick) summer read. Not a bad beach read if you're looking for something fast that doesn't require a lot of concentration. I found myself interested in the characters and the story and would read something else by Shari Shattuck.

[imagiphantaria · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Invisible Ellen is a nice book, with characters I felt were very real. I related in my to how invisible Ellen felt, and related to the anxiety and fear of having to have anything to do with the real world and people in it. It is not as deep, or meaty a book as I thought it was going to be, but it makes for a breezy summer read, one that is sweet, honest, and even funny at times.

[kastelling · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

What a sweet book! While it may be true that this is not a deep or serious read, it was certainly fun and enjoyable. The characters were perfect in who they needed to be, the storyline was at times a little silly but fun to read. I really liked watching Ellen's transformation. This would make a great movie, I'd like to watch it!

[kimmydavis · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

I received a copy of this book through the LibraryThing Early Reviewers program. I have mixed feelings about this one. On the one hand, I know from personal experience how easy it is to be "invisible" when you're overweight. People's eyes tend to glide right over you, and it can be heartbreaking to experience. So I fully understand that part of this story, because it's totally believable. I enjoyed reading Ellen's story and experiencing her "awakening" to the world. I love that she's been "watching" the world this whole time but still didn't understand most of it. Words like "love" and "friendship" get tossed around so easily, yet until they're experienced firsthand, they're foreign concepts. I totally believe that one small act can set a whole chain of events into motion, often with unexpected results. In this case, Ellen just stuck her foot out to trip one guy who was doing a bad thing, and by the end of the book she's saved lives, changed lives, created families out of missed communications and solved crimes. But....I enjoyed it and was totally on board with the story for the first 75% of the book. Then it got monotonous. I'm sorry to say that, but it was the same thing over and over: Ellen overhears something, takes the information to Temerity, who knows exactly what should be done next and off they go. Then Ellen does something new or eats something new or has some other positive reaction, but she's still "invisible" and overhears something else, and off we go again....I liked the book. I recommend it to others. I just got a little tired of the formula by the end. But I really liked the end :) Three and a half stars

[samaree_1 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Ellen prefers being unnoticed. unseen due to physical and psychological imperfections. When a blind woman sees into the heart of Ellen's small world, Ellen begins to change. She comes to realize that not everyone is as judgmental as she thinks and allows freedom to seek her own place in the world. Fast paced, absorbing, funny and touching. I would definitely recommend this book.

[katharineclifton · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Sweet and pure, honest and simple. This is how I would describe this book. Overall, it was a very pleasurable read. Though I am not morbidly obese, nor blind, I found the characters and their everyday struggles to be very relatable. I loved the concept of a woman who felt she was socially invisible actually being invisible, and that it was a blind woman who truly believed this literal invisibility possible. The author has a wonderful sense of humor, much of which was channeled through the character Termerity. But Ellen triumphs in small ways, growing each and every day, and those tiny steps (including a few steps backward) are what made her so relatable. Cheers to a new author who was willing to take on a social hot button, and do so in a way that felt like a conversation with people you already knew.

[bluehighlighter · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

“Invisible Ellen” was a surprisingly enjoyable read for me. You can never quite be sure when picking up a new author, but reading Shari Shattuck was like sitting down for a rare visit with an old friend. The story is character-driven, and that can be frustrating if a protagonist fails to impress, but I found Ellen to be very relatable, and her growth and developments (and personal insights) to be authentic and well-articulated. Out of the muddle of everyday (and some not-so-everyday) feelings, Shattuck pulls some genuinely strong, simple, powerful truths. As an individual who has struggled both with depression and anxiety, I found those aspects stated plainly and again, authentically, in a way that was relatable.A central theme to the novel, I think, is the power of naming your pain and the relief it brings. Temerity proves excellent at this. Several times, she coaxes the details of an individual’s heartbreak, and helps them that way even before taking any… roundabout measures.Temerity mentions a love of irony about midway through the novel, but it was only after finishing it that I realized that the blind woman’s twin was named Justice. Upon another rereading, I’m sure I’ll uncover even more quiet instances of Shattuck’s humor.

[erika.d · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Loved this story!! Heartwarming and exciting. Full of life and laughter. The power of friendship and what happens when we change our perspective and help others and love others.

[ncdonnas · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

2.5 It was okay. I couldn't really connect w/ the MC or the story so it ended up being kind of meh.

[trish · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

Lovely and lighthearted, but a tad far fetched at times.

[mcelhra · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Ellen is an overweight woman whose face and psyche are horribly scarred. She spent her childhood either with her abusive mother or in foster care. Ellen says she’s invisible. Basically, that means that either no one notices her because she is shy and withdrawn or they ignore her because her appearance makes them uncomfortable. When she meets Temerity, the blind woman she saves from being mugged, she finds someone who understands her and sometimes feels invisible herself. And ironically, the fact that Temerity can’t see is what makes Ellen visible to her.I thought the way that way Ellen described her feelings of being invisible was wonderful. And I loved how Justice, Temerity’s anthropologist brother completely gets Ellen. The relationship of all three of them with each other warmed my heart without being trite or cheesy.Ellen doesn’t know what made her momentarily discard her cloak of invisibility to rescue Temerity, but once she does, she starts to evolve one baby step at a time. I found that fact that it was baby steps instead of a complete overnight transformation authentic. I could easily see the story going the formulaic way and having Temerity bring about a major transformation in Ellen through the power of her friendship. The fact that it doesn’t follow that Lifetime movie format is what makes this book so fabulous.Ellen is overweight because she is an emotional eater. She eats both for comfort and because she often went hungry as a child. This book has the best descriptions of why an emotional eater eats and how it makes her feel. The author’s insight into the cause and effect of why Ellen eats was brilliant.I was surprised to learn that Shari Shattuck is an actress and used to star on The Young and Restless among many other acting gigs. She is definitely a multi-talented woman. I highly recommend that you add Invisible Ellen to your summer reading list.

[elezotte-1 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

I received a copy of Invisible Ellen through the library thing early reviewers program.I was quite pleased with the book. The characters were excellent and fleshed out very nicely. They seemed like real people and were very relatable.I also though the dialogue was realistic and flowed nicely, which is a definite plus.Additionally, the story and the growth that Ellen goes through were incredible touching and moving.A very enjoyable read.