Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine [review]

Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine - Gail Honeyman

Title: Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine
Author: Gail Honeyman
Publisher:  HarperCollins UK

[Synopsis]

A stunning debut about a girl who 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 fine. Nothing is missing from her carefully timetabled life. Except sometimes, everything.
No-one’s ever told Eleanor life should be better than fine. But with a simple act of kindness she’s about to realise exactly how much better than fine life can be.

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[My Review]

Wow – this book deserves 10 stars because 5 doesn’t seem enough! I absolutely loved this novel, savouring every page from first to last.
Where to start with trying to convey how much I loved this novel? I suppose firstly we need to address main character Eleanor. She’s definitely an odd cookie – she certainly doesn’t have what society would see as normal social skills, but she doesn’t feel like she has anything wrong with her – and good on her really! From bringing a present to a birthday party which consists of a half bottle of spirits and a pack of cheese, to being what many would see as too honest to those around her, Eleanor is unique in every way. She comes across as stand-offish or rude countless times in this novel, but I loved her! The book is a real journey, taking the reader right into Eleanor’s life – into her head, more specifically – and seeing the world through her eyes. It’s an entertaining, touching and, at times, funny experience which I absolutely loved!
Another great element of Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine is the way Gail Honeyman not only creates other great characters (such as Raymond, or Bill) but doesn’t make everything in the novel really obvious. There’s so much subtly among the amusing observations from Eleanor.
Though in this novel there is so much humour – often unintended from Eleanor! – there are also some really emotional parts, and at times it made me tear up. I did feel desperately sorry for her at times, and it really made me consider that you don’t know what people are going through, or have been through, when you make snap decisions about someone. As Eleanor said to herself, “be kind”- she’s a wise one!
This debut by Gail Honeyman is absolutely fantastic and I’d highly recommend it to anyone. It’s an emotional, entertaining novel which is bound to draw you in completely, and leaves you not wanting it to end!

[Rating: 5/5]

Many thanks to HarperCollins UK for providing a copy of this novel on which I chose to write an honest and unbiased review.

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24 comments

    • I wonder if I’ve overegged it when people come to read it… I genuinely loved it though so thought I’d go all out with the ‘deserves 10 stars’ haha. Enjoy if you do read! ⭐️

  1. Great review! I’ve read SO MANY glowing reviews for this novel that I can hardly wait to read it. Luckily I have a copy from NetGalley.

  2. Your review says it all. I agree. It’s a brilliant book. I borrowed this one from the library in e-book format. I was surprised how much I liked it. Great characters, beautifully written, funny and tragic. It was emotional but also a joy to read.

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