Eleanor Oliphant Is Completely Fine: Reese's Book Club: A Novel

Gail Honeyman’s charming, quirky, and resilient Eleanor Oliphant might just be one of my favorite characters I’ve met in a long time. Eleanor’s transformation from the woman she was in the beginning to the stronger, improved version of herself in the end was incredibly sad to read but also uplifting and inspiring at the same time. “I do exist, don’t I? It often feels as if I’m not here, that I’m a figment of my own imagination. There are days when I feel so lightly connected to the earth that the threads that tether me to the planet are gossamer thin, spun sugar. A strong gust of wind could dislodge me completely, and I’d lift off and blow away, like one of those seeds in a dandelion clock.” Eleanor Oliphant is painfully socially inept and completely not attuned to social decencies, an outcome of her horrendous childhood. She spends her weekdays working in the finance department of a graphic design company and avoiding her judgmental co-workers and her weekends drinking the liter or two of vodka she purchases from her local convenience store. Her life is regimented, structured, and very, very boring. The monotony of her life interrupted when she and the new IT guy, Raymond, help an elderly man who passed out on the sidewalk after work. These chain of events and a little bit of fate take Eleanor on an emotional journey she wasn’t planning on taking but one she has needed for a very long time. “My phone doesn’t ring often–it makes me jump when it does–and it’s usually people asking if I’ve been missold Payment Protection Insurance. I whisper I know where you live to them, and hang up the phone very, very gentle. When I started this book, I wasn’t quite sure what to make of Eleanor. She is blunt and judgmental. What comes out of her mouth is often unintentionally funny because she is just so emotionally and socially stunted. I laughed out loud quite a bit even though Eleanor wasn’t making jokes. Like, the time she went to get a bikini wax and the esthetician asked her if she wanted a Tiffani, Brazilian, or a Hollywood wax. Eleanor said, “Holly would, and so would Eleanor.” There is a naïveté and innocence to her character that is completely endearing and charming, though there were moments Honeyman was asking the reader to suspend disbelief a little too far. When I finished the novel, I realized that I came to love Eleanor along the way, all the crooked and unique parts of her character. A philosophical question: if a tree falls in a forest and no one is around to hear it, does it make a sound? And if a woman who’s wholly alone occasionally talks to a pot plant, is she certifiable? I think that it is perfectly normal to talk to oneself occasionally. It’s not as though I’m expecting a reply. I’m fully aware that Polly is a houseplant. This book reminded me so much of an off-the-wall indie movie, complete with quirky characters and a great friendship storyline. I reach a point about a third of the way where I just loved where Honeyman was taking the story. The cast of characters in this novel was what made it that much more enjoyable. We meet Raymond, the new guy at work, who Eleanor describes as an unattractive overweight man who smokes and walks on the balls of his feet. What he lacks in conventional beauty, he makes up for in heart. He’s such a good guy who loves his mom and over time, comes to really care about Eleanor. Sammy, the older gentleman Eleanor and Raymond help, is vivacious, sprite, and so great! “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 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.” But the highlight of the novel was seeing Eleanor blossom and start to deal with her own pain. Despite the title, Eleanor Oliphant wasn’t completely fine but she will be. Uplifting and hopeful, this novel is one I will come back to, just so I can spend time with Eleanor just a little bit longer. Audiobook Comments: After reading this book, I picked it right back up again on audiobook. The audiobook is really great and I really loved the narrator’s Eleanor. Her dry, deadpan delivery was absolutely perfect! Highly recommended! * Thanks to the Penguin First Reads program and Penguin Random House Audio for providing me a review copy for review!

Eleanor is a fascinating character. She socially awkward, opinionated, judgmental and lonely. Meeting Raymond and Sammy opens her eyes a bit to the world around her and the possibility that life can be pleasant if given a chance. Seeing Johnnie and creating her future with him in her mind gives her a focus. This leads to trying new things, stepping out of her comfort zone as well as the very bad days. But she isn’t so lonely anymore, she has a friend and it’s that friend I truly believe saved her. I won’t spoil anything but I really do see a bright future for Eleanor with her mental health, friends and maybe even someone special.

This book was so great. It was tragic and humorous, and engaging. The writer is awesome because I couldn't put it down and there were never any real cliff hangers.

Eleanor, I miss you. It's only been a day since I finished the fantastic, Eleanor Oliphant Is Completely Fine, and I feel as if I am missing something . . . or someone. I spent a mere five days or so, engrossed in this novel, but by the end of it, I felt as if I knew Eleanor so well. So intimately. And now that she's gone . . . now that the story is over . . . I feel a sense of loss. Because I love Eleanor. I love everything about her -- flaws, quirks, and all. Sure . . . she's a socially awkward, socially isolated, judgmental, 30-year-old curmudgeon. She says exactly what she thinks, whenever she wants to say it, to whomever she wants to say it, and is absolutely clueless when it comes to social graces. She's lonely, may or may not be on the autism spectrum and is, unfortunately, afflicted with various mental health issues. But amidst all that, Eleanor has a good heart. She just hasn't learned (yet) how to open it. The novel begins with an immediate introduction to Eleanor. She thinks her life is fine. She thinks SHE is fine. But is she really? Eleanor Oliphant is a beautifully written character study of a very troubled woman. The story is not plot-driven; neither is it exciting, nor pulse-pounding. But it is one that is exquisitely written, with phenomenal characterization. Gail Honeyman has created a truly unforgettable character in that of Eleanor . . . and also of Raymond, the kind, sweet man who helps Eleanor find her way. Eleanor's story is one that is quite dark. She is a victim of multiple forms of abuse. Her life consists of working five days a week and then spending her weekends alone, with bottles of vodka as her closest friends. At work, she deals with snide comments daily from her co-workers and then receives further verbal snipes during her weekly phone calls with Mummy. But even though the backdrop of the narrative is so tragic, Honeyman ensures that the reader is not dragged down into a pit of blackness. She infuses the story with warmth and the perfect amount of humor, by way of Eleanor's inner monologue and conversations with people. Eleanor is just so, SO funny. Albeit, the humorous moments are often at the expense of others, but what makes it okay . . . or, at least, okay enough . . . is that Eleanor doesn't have any idea that her thoughts and words are rude. She doesn't understand that she shouldn't say EVERYTHING that crosses her mind. And that lack of awareness just makes Eleanor all the more endearing. Eleanor Oliphant is a novel about finding yourself . . . about facing your fears, however big or small. Eleanor takes chances; she tries new things. She steps out of her comfort zone and ventures to new places, with new people. She forces herself to learn to feel ALL emotions, rather than stifle the majority of them, as she has done her entire life. And most importantly, she learns to love others . . . (and a cat!). . . and allows herself to be loved in return. All this because she realizes she wants more from her life. I think Eleanor may be one of the bravest characters I have ever encountered. And I believe we all can learn a lesson or two from her. I learned many. Oh, Eleanor . . . I am so happy to have met you.

Wow! This book was so amazing! Eleanor is quirky, socially awkward, and judgmental, but by the end of the book, she became my favorite heroine. It delves into her mundane life, her weekly horrific calls with Mummy, and her obsession with vodka to get through the weekends. But then, a new coworker walks with her to the busstop after work, they see an old man fall over and hit his head and lay unconscious. Eleanor wants to leave him be, but Raymond won't let her. He has her hold him while he calls the emergency number, then gets her to go with him to the hospital a few times to see the man--Sammy--once he recovers. This is all out of Eleanor's comfort zone, but it begins a slow inner change. It's a great story, with ups and downs and plot twists I didn't see coming. I really loved the characters in this one, and the theme of mental illness, getting past one's past, and how when we say we're "fine"...most of us really aren't! Phenomenal storytelling!

The characters are incredibly well described including the way they behave and their personalities evolve throughout the book. The end is perfect with the possibility to imagine what follows. I love that in a book and end that is not.

A beautiful story about trauma, self discovery, and love.

It's a wonderful, funny read! It brings out the best and the worst in humans. I enjoyed every page.

Não é fácil definir resenhar este livro. Antes de começar a ler, esperava que ele fosse completamente diferente, que fosse mais leve, mais engraçado, menos pesado. A verdade é que ele é muito triste desde o começo. Essa é a melhor palavra para ele, triste. Até mesmo quando parece que a protagonista não percebe o quanto sua situação é triste, o leitor percebe. Antes mesmo de saber tudo que aconteceu, isso já fica claro. A solidão de Eleanor é palpável e dolorosa. Apesar de não ser um livro alegre, tem algumas partes divertidas, sim. Ver o atrito que o jeito literal e de falar tudo que pensa da Eleanor causa em situações que, para a gente, são bastante simples e comuns é engraçado! Tem partes fofas também, personagens amáveis, como o Sammy, o Raymond e a mãe dele, mas também tem aquelas ainda mais tristes que vão te fazer chorar. Passei o livro todo com vontade de abraçar Eleanor e nunca mais soltar. Ela é preciosa demais para sofrer tanto sem ao menos perceber. A narrativa é bem dentro de sua cabeça, e acho válido mencionar isso, porque tem bastante gente que se incomoda quando o livro não tem tantos diálogos e é mais um monólogo. Eu, particularmente, achei perfeito. A autora é muito boa, deu as informações na medida e parece entender tão, mas tão bem a cabeça da Eleanor, que é até um pouco assustador. E a Eleanor é tão real e única, que é difícil não acreditar que ela existe de verdade. Ela é única mesmo, com sua mentalidade literal, seu jeito direto de falar tudo que vem à cabeça e sua falta de tato em situações sociais, a ponto de beirar o autismo. Mas ela é tão maravilhosa também, não merecia nunca ter que passar pelo que passou, e eu só queria poder protegê-la do mundo. Eleanor Oliphant é definitivamente uma personagem marcante! Fico bem feliz de que a autora não tenha transformado esse livro em um romance, porque ele é sobre Eleanor e sua solidão, suas causas, consequências e solução, e transformar um romance em solução milagrosa tiraria toda a credibilidade e o valor da luta dela. Mas confesso que amo o Raymond e, na minha cabeça, eles ficam juntos no final. Também achei ótimo a autora não ter "curado" Eleanor magicamente, primeiro, porque não seria muito realista, mas principalmente porque o jeito dela não era o problema. Ela definitivamente não precisava mudar de personalidade ou fingir ser como os outros. Ela é o suficiente exatamente como é. E foi só agora, enquanto escrevia sobre este livro que percebi que ele já faz parte da minha lista de favoritos. Ele é marcante, doloroso e emocionante. Se você não se sentir tocado pela história da Eleanor, precisa de um pouco mais de compaixão na sua vida. Eleanor Oliphant marcou a minha, e eu vou fazer questão de dar este livro de presente para muita gente, porque ela precisa marcar a vida de todo mundo!

First 50 pages was hard to convince me to keep going, but after that, I loved it! It suddenly picks up and becomes a great read.