• Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar

Mile Long TBR

  • Boutique
  • Home
  • About
  • Posts by Category
  • Sticker FAQ
  • Contact Me for Book Reviews
You are here: Home / Review / Review: Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine by Gail Honeyman

Review: Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine by Gail Honeyman

May 12, 2020      milelongtbr      5 Comments

Facebook0Tweet0Pin0Email0

This is one that I feel that the majority of people here have read, but it’s one of my absolute favorites and I felt it was timely to post a review of it up here since May is Mental Health Awareness Month. The book talks about a number of mental health issues and does so in a manner that is sensitive, realistic, and destigmatizing.

I first read Eleanor Oliphant in 2017 when Reese Witherspoon picked it as her inaugural book club title, and after I finished it I started rereading immediately. At the time of writing this in 2020, I believe I’ve read the book five times. 

That itself should speak volumes about how much I love this book, but check out the full review for more information about why this is one to prioritize on your own TBR. And if you have read it, tell me your take on whether Eleanor is completely fine or not and what that means to you!! 

Synopsis: 

Meet Eleanor.

She’s a 29-year-old office worker in Glasgow who loves routine and loathes small talk.

She doesn’t have many friends, but that doesn’t bother her in the least. She’s perfectly fine with her predictable schedule; weekend pizza and wine night, weekly calls with Mummy, and daily lunches doing the crossword by herself.

“But, by careful observation from the sidelines, I’d worked out that social success is often built on pretending just a little. Popular people sometimes have to laugh at things they don’t find very funny, do things they don’t particularly want to, with people whose company they don’t particularly enjoy. Not me. I had decided, years ago, that if the choice was between that or flying solo, then I’d fly solo. It was safer that way.”

— Gail Honeyman (Eleanor Oliphant Is Completely Fine)

Eleanor is not especially interested in expanding her social circle until she sees a musician and instantly knows: This is the man she’s meant to spend her life with.

Her attempts at turning herself into the type of woman the musician would date provide good comedy, but if you’re expecting a love story don’t hold your breath.

While Eleanor struggles to get the attention of the musician, her coworker Raymond decides to insert himself into her life.

He’s the embodiment of all the qualities she can’t stand. He smokes, his appearance is always somewhat disheveled, he uses “text speak” abbreviations in email.

But, he’s a good person. He’s an optimist and he has decided that Eleanor is worth getting to know.

Her life expands as she starts to spend time with him, and the reclusive and awkward Eleanor learns that coming out of her shell a little might bring bigger, better things than she’d realized into her life.

And, when the bad days come, like they always do, Raymond is a supportive and encouraging friend, helping see her through the dark times and come out better on the other side.

Analysis:

Eleanor Oliphant instantly became one of my all-time favorite books, and largely because of the characters; quirky yet relatable Eleanor, Raymond the impossibly kind IT guy from her office, and Eleanor’s sinister Mummy.

The characters are all very well developed, but witnessing the scarred and reclusive Eleanor step outside of her comfort zone to become the kind of person who goes to weddings, visits friends in the hospital, and helps care for people who need it is inspiring.

I love that she retains her quirks even as she leaves behind the unhealthy coping mechanisms she’s used to deal with things for so long.

Also, I think Raymond is one the most ‘good’ characters in all of literature. He’s such a kind and caring person and brings so much heart to the novel.

He also brings humor. There are many laugh-out-loud moments in the book, from Eleanor’s observations to  Raymond’s goofy demeanor and the rapport between the two of them. The humor may be sardonic at times, but it works well. You’ll likely relate to Elenor’s commentary even if you’d never say those thoughts aloud and in public.

The comedy is needed to balance the difficult themes and topics that are discussed in the book. It discusses things such as isolation, depression, abuse, and suicide, but is handled in a respectful manner and does not stay too dark for too long thanks to that balance.

Two things particularly stand out to me about this book; that Gail Honeyman avoids cliche by not following the formula of Eleanor’s physical transformation from awkward and unfashionable to beautiful, and that Eleanor’s relationship with Raymond stayed a friendship.

Yes, she does go through a number of physical changes but they are without a doubt secondary to the changes that are taking place within her. Eleanor’s attempts at changing her appearance are misguided, but the deeper changes are not suggested to be a result of introspection, brutal self-honesty, and hard work.

Another thing that I appreciate is that Eleanor and Raymond are friends. He is loyal and accepting while encouraging her to be honest with herself, which are invaluable qualities in a friend. But, even when Eleanor is shiny, he doesn’t make any advances on her or take advantage of her in any way. Having him become a love interest to her would have cheapened the story and I’m so glad Honeyman didn’t take it in that direction.

Considering this is Gail Honeyman’s debut novel, it’s especially impressive. She’s set the bar high for future works, but I can’t wait to see what she puts out next.

Takeaway: 

Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine is a book I will never stop recommending or rereading.

This book is one that makes you think, laugh, cry, question things… It’s hard to find a book that achieves this, especially with such grace. Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine is a truly touching work of contemporary fiction that I see being regarded as a modern classic in the years to come. It’s one of the two books I feel should be required reading for practically everyone which is why this five-star read also earned my “all the stars” rating.

If you’ve not already read it take my word for it and give this book a chance.

Content Warning:

childhood abuse and trauma, suicide, physical abuse, death, alcoholism, mental health issues, adult language

Facebook0Tweet0Pin0Email0

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Noor says

    May 17, 2020 at 4:21 am

    Thanks

    Reply
    • milelongtbr says

      May 17, 2020 at 3:44 pm

      Yes! Hope that helped you decided if it’s a good one for you!

      Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Primary Sidebar

About Me

Welcome!

I’m Danielle and I have a mile long TBR!

You can usually find me surrounded by books and cats, listening to an audiobook and designing something cute.

I love making new bookish friends and am so glad you’re here!

subscribe

Loading

2020 Reading Challenge

2020 Reading Challenge
Mile Long TBR has read 22 books toward her goal of 75 books.
hide
22 of 75 (29%)
view books

NETGALLEY BADGES

50 Book Reviews Professional ReaderReviews Published

80% Frequently Auto-Approved

Archives

Recent Posts

  • Reading & Life Update
  • Six Degrees of Separation: From Anne Tyler to Jojo Moyes in Six Books
  • Ultimate Galentine Gift Guide
  • The Knockout by Sajni Patel
  • Black Buck Book Review
May 2022
M T W T F S S
 1
2345678
9101112131415
16171819202122
23242526272829
3031  
« Nov    
  • Bloglovin
  • Email
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest

milelongtbr

Really, this pic is for the flowers, but I also lo Really, this pic is for the flowers, but I also loved Good Company by @cynthiadsweeney which I read last year. Her characters and their messy and real relationships stay in my mind long after I finish reading.
I took no vacation photos from this trip, but here I took no vacation photos from this trip, but here's an obligatory plane photo from the trip home. 

What's the best part about coming home from vacation for you? Im looking forward to my bed and seeing the cats!
✨Book recommendations needed! ✨ I'm looking f ✨Book recommendations needed! ✨

I'm looking for something very specific, and am hoping you awesome Bookstagram folks can help.

If my library haul doesn't give it away, I'm looking for literary fiction. Two of these titles I've read and loved (Silver Sparrow and Good Company) -the rest were titles that called to me, but not exactly what I was looking for. 

I've already gone through the blacklists of these two authors, plus Lily King,  Emily St John Mandel. Books with stories like This is Where I Leave You, The Sweeney Sisters.

Specifically, I'm looking for something:

💛written and set in the set in 21st century (this is most important to me-most of what I've been able to find is period and I need contemporary) 

💛 Preferably set in US/Canada

💛 Priority to female authors 

💛Dealing with dysfunctional family; themes of blood, home, self-discovery

💛Angsty adult characters 

💛 Full of beautiful writing 

💛 Setting that becomes central to story, esp. a small town or family home

💛Nothing too genre; speculative/scifi, romance, whatever. Looking for pure lit fic or contemporary fiction with literary bend. 

It's a long shot and I know I'm being picky, but if you can recommend something close to the above, I'd be eternally grateful! 💛
Don't think I could have fit another book in this Don't think I could have fit another book in this tote if i tried! 😂

I've been enjoying flipping through what I checked out during my latest library haul, but I couldn't resist snapping a pic before taking them out of the bag. Especially not when everything was so coordinated and the lighting was perfection.

I'm trying to get back into this Bookstagram thing- I've missed y'all too much!
On Wednesday we... A. Wear pink B. Read Toni C. S On Wednesday we...

A. Wear pink
B. Read Toni
C. Smash the Patriarchy
D. All of the Above

D 💯
When in doubt... I took a couple intentional phot When in doubt...

I took a couple intentional photos of my library trip this afternoon, but decided I liked this accidental one I must have accidentally snapped while putting my phone in my pocket best.

I hadn't been to the library in far too long and left with a full tote of books I probably won't read. So I guess you could say it was a good day! 

How's your week so far? 💛
Neera is my little shadow today while I'm getting Neera is my little shadow today while I'm getting some reading done in my the pool.

What are you reading today? I'm enjoying The Paris Apartment!
In two weeks this will be my reading view... ...b In two weeks this will be my reading view... 
...but for today I'm at my desk, working away on my computer. 

If you have any fun trips planned let me know in the comments!
Coffee and currently planning out my week... While Coffee and currently planning out my week... While listening to What She Witnessed. 

Any other planner girls on Bookstagram? 

I love a fresh week/spread... and decorating it with beautiful bookish stickers! These are ones I designed and made for my store and had to test out myself!
🐝Monday mood: Buzz off, I'm Reading! 🐝 I'm 🐝Monday mood: Buzz off, I'm Reading! 🐝

I'm hoping to make some time to finish up Night Shift by Alex Finlay today, and morning chapters with extra strong coffee and scones is the perfect way to make it happen. 

This mug is for sale at @milelongtbrboutique if you can relate ... or if people around you need a reminder!
Load More... Follow on Instagram

Copyright © 2022 · Marigold on Genesis Framework · WordPress · Log in

Share this ArticleLike this article? Email it to a friend!

Email sent!