Interesting title. Check. Book being listed in every major book list. Check. Still, I wasn’t convinced. I kept thinking this is another one of those over hyped novels. Boy! I was wrong. And I’ve never felt better about being so wrong.
“If someone asks you how you are, you are meant to say FINE. You are not meant to say that you cried yourself to sleep last night because you hadn’t spoken to another person for two consecutive days. FINE is what you say.”
The word ‘fine’ is often inserted in conversations without really meaning it. How many times do we carelessly throw the word around? But Eleanor’s case is different. She is happy with her life and sees nothing wrong with it.
She is fine…
Eleanor Oliphant follows a strict routine. She works as an accountant and loves her job. She treats herself to a frozen pizza and a bottle of vodka on the weekends. She lives a very isolated life without friends or family. Her social life is limited to a call to her mummy on Wednesday. She lives her life like a clockwork mouse. She describes herself as a ‘self contained entity’. And Eleanor Oliphant is completely fine.
… Or so she thinks! At first she comes across as a socially awkward, slightly eccentric, hard working office goer. She is obsessed with the lead singer of a band and decides he is her ‘man’. Since he doesn’t know that she exists, there are many hilarious scenes where Eleanor tries to play her part. On the side, she finds a patient ear in Raymond when they start having lunch together. Slowly her routine gets upset, but she goes on a path of self discovery.
A splendid debut from @HarperFiction with excellent representation of mental health problems Click To Tweet
A bit of sweet; a bit of salt
The climax was predictable; but you just can’t stop reading till you get to the end. That’s the beauty of the book. You feel responsible for Eleanor. You cry with her; you smile when she gives an innocent socially awkward remark. You rejoice when she makes her first friend or tells a joke. Any reader who picks the book cannot avoid the growing attachment to Eleanor with every page.
Read : The Convenience Store Woman is the best next-book to cure your Eleanor Oliphant hangover
Eleanor Oliphant is a voice that needs to be heard by today’s society. Mental health and its problems are often hushed up. Such premises seldom find place in books in a realistic and non-judgmental narrative This debut is a wonderful representation of what some people are going through even when they appear to be completely ‘fine’. As Eleanor makes new friends and decides to seek professional help, her mask cracks revealing a scarred soul. We are plunged into the gruesome details of Eleanor’s past that may have influenced the person she is today. The best part of the novel is the explosion of emotions in the reader’s mind as we follow Eleanor on her journey.
I bet you can't avoid developing a growing attachment to the loveable Eleanor @HarperFiction Click To Tweet
Final Verdict
This novel impressed me. In fact I checked twice if this was a debut because it had the feel of the work of a seasoned writer. Eleanor is a kindred spirit; Gail Honeyman is a talented writer and both are sure to win your heart. This is a feel-good novel full of warm people, charming friends and chuckling moments. Highly recommended!
Title : Eleanor Oliphant is completely fine
Author : Gail Honeyman
Publisher : Harper Collins
Publication: 2017
Language : English
Pages : 386
Rating : 5/5
Disclaimer : Much thanks to Harper Fiction for a copy of the book. All opinions are my own.
Yay! I was fearing too much hype for this one – it’s the next pick for my book group. Gorgeous pics that you’ve constructed 🙂
I guarantee you will grow to adore Eleanor. The book deserves all the hype. The novel is an excellent choice for a book club as there are lots to discuss.
I’ve been looking forward to reading this book but just hadn’t gotten around to it. Noe – you’ve definitely helped push it to the front of my reading list.
I hope you will love it Tanya. Eleanor is such a darling that you will find yourself caring for her. Hope you get to read it soon
You will love the book, Tanya. Eleanor is a darling. Hope you get to it soon.
I finished reading this a few weeks ago and I definitely agree with you! I loved the way it was written and I loved how the novel progressed. I have been recommending this to my friends!
So true! At first Eleanor is just another character and then she grows to be this person that you become really attached to.
I’m yet to hear anything bad about this novel – it’s charmed everyone! I’m really looking forward to reading it.
It deserves all the hype! I hope you love the read when you pick it up.
Wonderful review Resh! I think this is a novel I would definitely like to read.
I am sure you will love it. One cannot help feeling anxious about Eleanor.
Yes, saying you’re fine can mean so many things. It’s kind of a non-answer. I love that you became so invested in the character. That’s always a good sign. Love when debuts end up being incredibly impressive. Great review!
Agree! I have high expectations from Gail Honeyman for the future
I’ve heard so many good things about this that I should probably just read it already. I love books where you feel connected to the protagonist and your review gave me the feeling that I’d adore this one. Thanks for sharing!
I hope you will love the read, Anna. Eleanor definitely wins your heart. When I started the book I thought to myself it was another hyped one because I couldn’t connect to Eleanor. Few pages in, I was totally invested in the character
I will get it soon from my library (slowly making my way down the holds list.) I am eager to read it because so many bloggers I follow have loved it. 🙂
The book definitely deserves ALL the hype! I hope you will love it too, Laila
I am travelling, saw this book and thought: “I’ll come back in an hour for it”. And when I came back they had sold the book and they didn’t have it in stock anymore. I’m just appalled! Everyone loves it.
Oh no! That’s rotten luck. Hope you get another copy somehow. It is a marvellous read.
Nice review Resh and I have seen a 5-star rating from you after a long time? I have been meaning to read this book for a long time now. Really hoping to read this one and I am sure it would be great 🙂
It was a perfect read. Hope you enjoy it
I was just looking at this one on my TBR and wasn’t sure if I wanted to read it. You’ve made my mind up.
Glad to hear that Allison. It is a wonderful read
!!! I Am so glad you read and enjoyed this book! Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine was my top read of 2017. It’s such a powerful book. You’re right– we need to be allowed to express our feelings in a healthier manner and not be ashamed of mental health concerns. How else will the world heal?
Yes! I adored Elenor. She is a darling
This was my top favourite books last year. Its very rare finding a book that makes you laugh one minute and the next minute bring you to tears.
So true. Eleanor was such a darling!
Thank you so much for your review. I bought this book going solely by your words. Loved reading this one and couldn’t keep it down. If you can think of any more such quick and easy reads for this year, could you please suggest something?
Very pleased to hear that. I’d recommend Normal People by Sally Rooney as well. It is feel good and also has a deeper tone to it. If you are looking for a fun and humorous read, The Windfall by Diksha Basu is a good one.