Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine

What an amazing read this was. I was totally drawn into this as soon as I started, mainly due to the type of person Eleanor Oliphant is.

Eleanor has no social graces, she doesn't know how to interact with other people at all, and she has absolutely no filter whatsoever. She says it how she sees it, and no more. It's obvious as you read this book that she has a terrible past. Something has happened to her which has turned her into the person she is today. What that is can only be guessed at for most of the book. When the author finally reveals everything it will shock you. For a character to go through what Eleanor has, and come out all but intact at the other end, is quite something.

Eleanor reminds me very much of a computer, or Mr Spock from Star Trek. She talks about the world, and life, with extreme logic. She can't understand the quirks some people have because, to her, it isn't normal. She misses the point so much when others are trying to have a conversation with her because she simply can't make it fit in her mind. But that is what endeared her character to me.

A brilliant debut novel from an author whose career I will definitely be following in the future. Huge thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for providing a copy.

It took me very few paragraphs of this book to come to the conclusion that I was likely to enjoy it. Eleanor is such a good character. There is a thin illusion of normality with her however you quickly realise that this is far from the truth. The story feels powerful and understated. The reality of her isolation from the "normal" world becomes uncomfortably apparent.

Once I'd got over the initial feelings of discomfort about the way her life was I really did find this book ridiculously compelling reading. I do actually mean it when I use the word "ridiculously" too. The humour - her take on life - is simply so dry and funny at times. I have to say that rarely has a funeral been so amusing and sad at the same time for example.

I almost always take notes as I read books that I review however, with this one, I simply go so caught up in the writing the notes became rarer and rarer. The quality of the writing here is very good and used very effectively. The roller coaster that is Eleanor's life plays out for us. At times we are spectators at a car crash, at times we shed tears - sometimes but not always of laughter. Eleanor is a wonderfully envisioned character. The other main character is Raymond who I also thought was very good indeed. The other people who appear in the book do the jobs they need to well. I loved this book and I want to read another one by Gail Honeyman.

I really enjoyed this. Eleanor's voice is remarkably well realised and her loneliness is heart renching. This is one of the most affecting books I've read in a long time. There are a couple of issues, the auditory hallucinations (as mentioned elsewhere) could easily be internal conversations whilst retaining the unreliable narration, and Eleanor's autism is never mentioned. This bothers me more, as I'm unsure if the author includes these (difficulty making eye contact, learned social responses, lecturing) as symptoms of her trauma that will now recede which is potentially problematic. Naming the cat Glen is a stroke of genius and there are lots of moments of humour in her otherwise dark world. The lack of "romance" in the traditional sense is one of my favourite things about this book. Eleanor is not "rescued" by love, but by friendship.

Somewhat like a female version of The Rosie Project but with a dark twist, this is a totally absorbing read.

The debut novel by Gail Honeyman is wondrous. When I first started to read about Eleanor Oliphant, I was interested but also a little bit bored. It felt like Eleanor was the female version of Don Tilman from 'The Rosie Project'. However as I read on, I was to discover that she was unique, a beautiful individual trying to find her way to survive after an incident that would destroy many. At times, it was a difficult read, due to the sadness that I could feel through Eleanor´s life story but ultimately it was uplifting and I felt like cheering at the end, at how far Eleanor had come.

I know it’s only April but I think I’ve probably already found my Book Of The Year in Gail Honeyman’s debut, Eleanor Oliphant Is Completely Fine.
A bold claim? Maybe. One that could come back to haunt me? Possibly. However, I found this unique, funny and touching book spellbinding from start to finish – and given the buzz it’s already generated, I’m not alone.
I first read the blurb for it in January and immediately put it on my reading list, practically jumping for joy when I received an email stating it was available on NetGalley pre-publication.
My anticipation levels were so high that I was almost nervous to start reading - and I’ll admit the unexpectedly authentic voice took me by surprise at first but it turned out to be so SO much better than I was hoping.
Before I gush some more, here’s the blurb that got me so excited:

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?

Just a few pages in and I was hooked. Eleanor’s observations on life are astute, funny and a little bit heartbreaking all at the same time.
Witnessing her gradual transformation, like a bud blooming into a flower, was captivating. The fact that it resulted from just a small amount of kindness warmed my heart.
I was willing her to thrive and the moment I realised she was heading for a fall, I wanted to leap into the pages and save her the pain.
I find it amazing that Gail was able to keep Eleanor’s voice so strong and true throughout and I struggle to believe this masterful book, written with so much confidence, is her debut.
After I had finished it I found myself on a bus looking at the other passengers and wondering how many were just waiting for someone to really see them?
We never know what’s going on with other people from just the outside, there’s no way you can judge even when – probably especially when - someone says they are fine.
Maybe, in real life, happy endings are not as readily available but surely it’s worth taking a chance – especially with something so easy to do.
Eleanor Oliphant Is Completely Fine is not only a wonderful and compelling story, it also has power within its words, power that opened my heart and mind and changed the way I think.
I don’t think you can ask for much more than that.

Format: Kindle.
Price: £4.99.
My rating: All the stars.

Thank you very much to Harper Collins UK for the ARC in return for my honest opinion.

Oh this book. I loved it so much. It made me laugh and cry in equal measures. I love Eleanor so much. I felt everything she felt.

In parts it was like a warm hug and in others I had to read though my fingers as I was so uncomfortable

I don’t want to give any of the storyline away so I just suggest you read it. Brilliant book.

A stunning debut, rich with humour, observational gems and utter tragedy, which is ultimately uplifting. Loved Eleanor O's unique story, perspective and resilience.

Tough to believe this is a debut novel as it' is so amazingly well done. Tender, touching, and emotional while still hilariously funny in parts. I realize my review sounds cliche but what can I do?

From the first few pages I was hooked and I knew this book was a winner and it had me totally captivated from start to finish.

Honestly I slowed down my reading speed so that this book would last longer, that's how much I loved it. I look forward to more works from Gail Honeyman. I would certainly love to read more about Eleanor.

Absolutely loved this book! I loved Eleanor, she was rude, obnoxious and completely adorable! I laughed and cried at her story. Couldn't recommend this book enough!

This book was not what I expected at all. Eleanor is unlike any other character I've ever read. This book is funny, charming and heart-breaking at the same time. I don't normally read 'women's fiction' but this is the kind of book that proves that that category has infinite possibility and scope for brilliance and originality. A wondrous book that I will recommend to everyone I know!