Gail Honeyman

A Novel

Eleanor Oliphant Is Completely Fine

"Meet Eleanor Oliphant: she struggles with appropriate social skills and tends to say exactly what she's thinking. That, combined with her unusual appearance (scarred cheek, tendency to wear the same clothes year in, year out), means that Eleanor has become a creature of habit (to say the least) and a bit of a loner ... But everything changes when Eleanor meets Raymond, the bumbling and deeply unhygienic IT guy from her office"--

Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine

Malavika

The goal, ultimately, was successful camouflage as a human woman.

Beauty, from the moment you possess it, is already slipping away, ephemeral.

These days, loneliness is the new cancer-a shameful, embarrassing thing, brought upon yourself in some obscure way. A fearful, incurable thing, so horrifying that you dare not mention it; other people don't want to hear the word spoken aloud for fear that they might too be afflicted, or that it might tempt fate into visiting a similar horror upon them.

Lizzy Jensen

I suppose one of the reasons we're all able to continue to exist for our allotted span in this green and blue vale of tears is that there is always, however remote it might seem, the possibility of change. 

Laura Gonzalez Villar

Daba igual lo mucho que quisieras a alguien. No podías mantenerlo a salvo solo con amor...

-Cuídate tú también, Raymond -le dije, y lo deseé de veras.

En el corazón tengo cicatrices igual de gruesas y feas que las de la cara. Sé que están ahí. Pero espero que quede algo de tejido sano, un pequeño retal por el que pueda entrar el amor y colarse dentro. Ojalá.

Las cosas que yo he visto no pueden ser desvistas. Las cosas que he hecho no pueden ser deshechas.

Es muy aterrador pensar en las ideas que he podido absorber de mamá.

Eliza adkins 

Deia Scarpa

Over 2.5 million copies sold ‘Funny, touching and unpredictable’ Jojo Moyes ‘Heartwrenching and wonderful’ Nina Stibbe Winner of Costa First Novel Award, a No.1 Sunday Times bestseller and the Book of the Year

Ian Brakspear

it took me a long time to read this book like, months and months. in the earlier chapters, i totally didn’t understand what was happening to eleanor, but the more i read, the more the truth was revealed, and it honestly made my jaw drop. what eleanor went through was a lot. and without realizing it, we’ve suffered from those things too, maybe in different forms, of course. i love the way gail described it in three phases: good days, bad days, and better days. as human beings, those phases will always be part of our lives. but eventually, in the end, we do get better. i also want to emphasize the relationship between eleanor and raymond. like the book said, they saved each other. they’re like yin and yang. they complete each other’s flaws and turn them into something strong and beautiful. i personally think their bond isn’t just about romance or anything like that.  it’s even stronger than that. i adore them and i put them into my warmest hug, especially eleanor. this book also proves that grief and depression can be buried deep inside people, no matter their age. you can still be haunted by the darkest moments of your past, and that can affect the way you see things, the way you endure life and that’s why it’s never wrong to take a step and seek help from professionals. i love the way this book portrayed that part. at the end, i love this book. it’s so beautifully written.

love, kinanti

Eleanor Oliphant has learned how to survive - but not how to live. Eleanor Oliphant leads a simple life. She wears the same clothes to work every day, eats the same meal deal for lunch and buys the same two bottles of vodka to drink every weekend. Eleanor Oliphant is happy. Nothing is missing from her carefully timetabled life. Except, sometimes, everything. One simple act of kindness is about to shatter the walls Eleanor has built around herself. Now she must learn how to navigate the world that everyone else seems to take for granted . while searching for the courage to face the dark corners she's avoided all her life. Change can be good. Change can be bad. But surely any change is better than ... fine?

I didn’t think I’d like this book. It was so off putting how strange the MC was. However, I loved seeing her develop and find her way in the world. 

Amanda 

my dearest eleanor.. i have loved you ever since hollywood

ginny

it was VERY VERY hard to get into ths book i was almos dying till like pg 160 BUT then it started to pivk up and DEMMM it was GOOOODDD 

so def need to be patient with this book to get to better parts 

it was VERY VERY hard to get into ths book i was almos dying till like pg 160 BUT then it started to pivk up and DEMMM it was GOOOODDD 

so def need to be patient with this book to get to better parts 

i love eleanor oliphant with all my heart 

angie

Charming and cute story focusing on mental health and childhood trauma.

Kirsten Haney

Over 2.5 million copies sold 'Funny, touching and unpredictable' Jojo Moyes 'Heartwrenching and wonderful' Nina Stibbe Winner of Costa First Novel Award, a No.1 Sunday Times bestseller and the Book of the Year Eleanor Oliphant has learned how to survive - but not how to live Eleanor Oliphant leads a simple life. She wears the same clothes to work every day, eats the same meal deal for lunch every day and buys the same two bottles of vodka to drink every weekend. Eleanor Oliphant is happy. Nothing is missing from her carefully timetabled life. Except, sometimes, everything. One simple act of kindness is about to shatter the walls Eleanor has built around herself. Now she must learn how to navigate the world that everyone else seems to take for granted - while searching for the courage to face the dark corners she's avoided all her life. Change can be good. Change can be bad. But surely any change is better than... fine? 'Moving, funny and devastating' The Herald 'Unforgettable, brilliant, funny and life-affirming' Daily Mail 'I adored it. Skilled, perceptive, Eleanor's world will feel familiar to you from the very first page. An outstanding debut!' Joanna Cannon

Madii

It was light-hearted, emotional, and sweet at times. It was dark, deep, and mysterious the next. It was good and I think it was a breath of fresh air. It felt peaceful and light at the end. 10/10 would recommend.

Eva Ströberg

Thankfully it wasn’t just “another” chicklit. This book goes deeper than that. Eleanor Oliphant is a loner and what I guess has autistic traits. She takes things literally and never understand the way of “people”. But there’s more to that as a co-worker started befriending her out of accident involving an elderly gent passing out in the street. 

This book isn’t a literary champion nor in some Pulitzer nomination list but it’s entertaining enough for me

Erin G.

My most challenging read of 2018. Incredible characters, ruthlessly emotional, completely satisfying ending. This story will stay with me for awhile. Wow.

Angelyn Francis

Hilarious voice, loved the character. Slightly predictable plot but heart breaking and warming at the same time none the less

Ryan Mateyk

I thought this was going to be light and fluffy but it was quite a bit heavier than expected, touching on themes of trauma, mental health and loneliness. Us humans can be quick to judge; this book was a reminder that everybody has a story that they may be hesitant to share. We should all try to show a little more patience and compassion when we meet people who are different from ourselves. At the end of the book, Raymond said he thought Eleanor was "a right nutter" the first time they'd met (to which Eleanor agreed) but he still took the time and effort to get to know her. I really loved this! All in all, I thought this was a great read, would recommend.

The only way to survive is to open your heart.

This is such a wonderfully written book! The character of Eleanor is an odd balance of eccentricity and endearing which takes a bit of getting used to. Eleanor went through some unspeakable and unimaginable horrors in her life. But in the end, her resilience shines through and she emerges like a phoenix from the ashes. This story is a good balance of sad and funny. It emphasises the beauty of friendship and how it can change your life for the better. The best part about the book was that the author didn’t try to cure Eleanor and lead her into the light by having her fall in love which magically makes her happy. Being happy and improving your self-worth should never be tied to romance and that’s what this book does a great job of portraying!

Devika M

The only way to survive is to open your heart.

This is such a wonderfully written book! The character of Eleanor is an odd balance of eccentricity and endearing which takes a bit of getting used to. Eleanor went through some unspeakable and unimaginable horrors in her life. But in the end, her resilience shines through and she emerges like a phoenix from the ashes. This story is a good balance of sad and funny. It emphasises the beauty of friendship and how it can change your life for the better. The best part about the book was that the author didn’t try to cure Eleanor and lead her into the light by having her fall in love which magically makes her happy. Being happy and improving your self-worth should never be tied to romance and that’s what this book does a great job of portraying!

I would definitely recommend this book.

Bria

I didn't think I was going to like this book but I loved it so much.

#1 NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER A REESE WITHERSPOON x HELLO SUNSHINE BOOK CLUB PICK A PENGUIN BOOK CLUB PICK "Beautifully written and incredibly funny. . . I fell in love with Eleanor; I think you will fall in love, too!" --Reese Witherspoon Smart, warm, uplifting, the story of an out-of-the-ordinary heroine whose deadpan weirdness and unconscious wit make for an irresistible journey as she realizes the only way to survive is to open her heart. No one's ever told Eleanor that life should be better than fine. Meet Eleanor Oliphant: She struggles with appropriate social skills and tends to say exactly what she's thinking. Nothing is missing in her carefully timetabled life of avoiding social interactions, where weekends are punctuated by frozen pizza, vodka, and phone chats with Mummy. But everything changes when Eleanor meets Raymond, the bumbling and deeply unhygienic IT guy from her office. When she and Raymond together save Sammy, an elderly gentleman who has fallen on the sidewalk, the three become the kinds of friends who rescue one another from the lives of isolation they have each been living. And it is Raymond's big heart that will ultimately help Eleanor find the way to repair her own profoundly damaged one.

Hanna Rybchynska

From the moment I picked up this book, I was swept away by the quirky and endearing character of Eleanor Oliphant.

This book emotionally destroyed me in the best possible way. It starts out seemingly simple, with Eleanor exhibiting some childish behaviors for a 30-year-old woman. But as the story unfolds and we meet her mother, everything suddenly clicks into place.

What I found remarkable about this book is its depth. It doesn't give everything away at once; instead, it slowly draws you in with its magic until you're completely immersed in Eleanor's world. And then, just when you least expect it, it hits you like a tidal wave, leaving you emotionally raw and utterly wrecked.

Honeyman's writing is both witty and poignant, seamlessly weaving together moments of humor and heartbreak. Through Eleanor's eyes, we're invited to explore themes of loneliness, trauma, and the power of human connection in a way that feels refreshingly honest and authentic.

Overall, 'Eleanor Oliphant Is Completely Fine' is a true masterpiece. It's a story that will stay with you long after you've turned the final page, reminding you of the beauty and resilience of the human spirit. If you're looking for a book that will make you laugh, cry, and everything in between, look no further than Eleanor Oliphant.

Bella Baxter

Mirror, mirror, in this book.

I felt like I was looking in a mirror as I read this book and what I saw was both great and terrible. Phenomenal story. 10/10

Eugene

Even though I didn’t like the beginning of the book it turned out to be a really good exploration of loneliness in modern world, dealing with trauma. Good character development overall. 
At the beginning I didn’t like the fact that Eleanor wasn’t able to make a human connection with anybody for 20 years, even though she craved it so much, and was able to as it seems. Then though I was more captivated by developments in her life. Maybe she needed a nudge, a bit of gentle force to make her realize what she was craving even, what she shut down from.

Priyanka Pal

Reading this book felt like letting in sunshine into a dull and dreary room. Emphasized yet again how every small act of kindnes goes such a long way without us even realising it. Will cherish for long the feeling of warmth the book left me with.

Vicky  Nuñez 

Slow, but gripping story about loneliness, depression and the importance of mental health care.

Nabila Azahra

3.5 ⭐️

for a 300 pages book, it took me quite a while to finish. eleanor IS supposed to be unlikable, she’s nowhere near flawless and not gonna lie Honeyman did a great job crafting such a character. the details of some things Eleanor did/say, for example, really adds to the character. great i guess but i ended up just (almost) lost my interestT___T

funny enough, i just finished poor things and i find that bella and eleanor have very similar character arcs. watching them build their identities and learn to love (themselves and others) was beautiful 🥹 one of my new all time faves

Janet Akisanmi

LOVED

funny enough, i just finished poor things and i find that bella and eleanor have very similar character arcs. watching them build their identities and learn to love (themselves and others) was beautiful 🥹 one of my new all time faves

Bella Koch

This book was emotional. I had no idea what to expect going into this book, so I’m going to go into a bit of detail so that there are no surprises. 

The beginning of this book was very heavy. Eleanor is deeply lonely, completely lacks self-awareness, and clearly has some deep-rooted trauma. Since the book is told in first person through her perspective, as a reader, you find yourself seeing the world through her eyes. I found this very challenging for two reasons. First of all, Eleanor is deeply struggling and so empathizing with her was inherently a bit depressing. Be aware that this book deals with child abuse, alcoholism, and severe depression. Second, she was very hard to actually relate to. I had a tough time actually getting immersed in this book, because the way that Eleanor views the world is so different from how I view it. Additionally, she is lacking self-awareness to a degree that is almost painful to read. For the first third of this book, I wasn’t sure why people liked it. 

The second half of the book provided the answer to that question. Eleanor’s new friend, Raymond, is practically kindness personified. He offers Eleanor a friendship that challenges her beliefs about the goodness of people and what is possible for her own life. As their relationship develops, we start to see the impact that it’s having on Eleanor. In turn, she becomes kinder and more hopeful. She opens up and as a reader, I could start to relate to her and root for her a lot more. 

The end of the book was hopeful and uplifting. I really enjoyed it, but it did not make up for the heaviness at the beginning.

JoAnna

4.5, but deserves the rounded star. 

Honeyman is poignant and gripping. I couldn't believe this was her first published novel! I read it in four days, and I'm someone with a terrible attention span. I can't even get through most poems. 

Honeyman's writing is skillful, vivid, and balanced. She includes the right portions of description, scene, and introspection, giving the reader strong visuals without overwhelming them, keeping the story moving while still revealing emotional truths. I liked how much of the description was filtered through Eleanor's judgmental perspective, doing the double-duty of revealing her personality as well as the setting.

Eleanor's voice was distinct, real, and convincing. I'm not sure any other character could pull off some of the bizarre things she said or did. At times, I found her a little much and off-putting (Eleanor as a character, not the writing), but I was sympathetic anyhow because of how Honeyman revealed her past.

I loved the foreshadowing. Every shoe dropped at a convincing pace. There were a handful of times where I felt the foreshadowing was getting repetitive, but those sentences were far and few between. 

I liked the dichotomy presented, between (view spoiler)[those raised with happy, healthy families, and those from abusive households (hide spoiler)]. I think it's something that presents itself in everyday life all the time, and goes unaddressed/misunderstood between both parties, so I'm glad Honeyman conveyed the two perspectives the way she did.

I also loved the ending. I liked that (view spoiler)[it ended verging on the cusp of romance, but didn't go that far (hide spoiler)]. Overall, I felt the book satisfied the questions it initially presented.

I did have a problem with how abrupt it felt that (view spoiler)[Eleanor suddenly realized her mom was imagined, and how she reacted to that realization (she didn't, really). (hide spoiler)]. Still, Eleanor Oliphant Is Completely Fine is an amazing book, and worth the read.

Louise Briley 

Eleanor Oliphant is all of us and none of us. I charge anyone to read this book without relating personally to some aspect of her life and feelings. Eleanor shows us that those with the most crippling of social insecurities are ultimately the bravest and most resilient in the face of others who would wish us harm. Eleanor also shows us how quiet kindness can save a life. Read and then reach out.

Bethany s. 

I am glad I read this book, but I am also glad it’s over. It had a weird way of sucking me in, and I found myself thinking about Eleanor’s world the whole day at work. I couldn’t wait to get back to reading it, but somehow I also wanted to just be done with it. 

But at the same time, I am already planning to read it again in the coming years. I love Eleanor so much, (but she is highly irritating sometimes too). It’s a wonderful story written from Eleanor’s point of view- a delightful look into the brain of a complex, well-developed, beautiful character. It’s simultaneously a little mundane, and very rich. Nothing really exciting happens; yet the metamorphosis of Eleanor is tangible not just in the plot but in the language and writing style. As she transforms, the pages come alive with her strength and one can begin to feel every heartbeat of her story. 

It’s unique, beautiful, moving, and frustrating all at once in its mundaneness and simplicity. What an oddly shaped little gift it was.

Eleanor Oliphant Is Completely Fine A Novel

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