This book wasn’t what I expected. When you read the reviews from major magazines or from celebrities they depict this book as something that’s funny or humorous, which I didn’t find myself. There were some moments I suppose could be dubbed as “funny” but I wouldn’t slap the adjective to the book in its entirety. As many before me have mentioned, this book has layers and depths that are slowly revealed to you and the author does this well. I finished this book within a few days because I couldn’t put it down because as Eleanor gets to know herself again you’re also learning more about her. The author does a good job at this and it really makes you more invested in the character’s growth overall. Definitely worth a read but there are some trigger warnings you may want ... MoreThis book wasn’t what I expected. When you read the reviews from major magazines or from celebrities they depict this book as something that’s funny or humorous, which I didn’t find myself. There were some moments I suppose could be dubbed as “funny” but I wouldn’t slap the adjective to the book in its entirety. As many before me have mentioned, this book has layers and depths that are slowly revealed to you and the author does this well. I finished this book within a few days because I couldn’t put it down because as Eleanor gets to know herself again you’re also learning more about her. The author does a good job at this and it really makes you more invested in the character’s growth overall. Definitely worth a read but there are some trigger warnings you may want to be wary of. Potential spoilers ahead so read on if you dare. Okay hopefully all that don’t dare haven’t continued on but there is discussion regarding abuse and also misuse of alcohol so bare that in mind.

This has sat on my TBR list for a while now. It's physically sat on my bookshelf for about a year now Amazon says. I originally purchased it because my sister read it and raved about it, we don't have the exact same taste in reading materials but I value her opinion so I thought I would give it a try. I am sad that I waited as long as I did to actually read it. I try to read minimal reviews and definitely no spoilers before I open a book so I was unaware of the depth of this book. Picking it up, I was expecting a light hearted (maybe) love story, what I got was the opposite in a fantastic way. Eleanor is a character that even though she's rough around the edges you instantly like her and feel protective over her when others do not treat her with kindness. She has ... MoreThis has sat on my TBR list for a while now. It's physically sat on my bookshelf for about a year now Amazon says. I originally purchased it because my sister read it and raved about it, we don't have the exact same taste in reading materials but I value her opinion so I thought I would give it a try. I am sad that I waited as long as I did to actually read it. I try to read minimal reviews and definitely no spoilers before I open a book so I was unaware of the depth of this book. Picking it up, I was expecting a light hearted (maybe) love story, what I got was the opposite in a fantastic way. Eleanor is a character that even though she's rough around the edges you instantly like her and feel protective over her when others do not treat her with kindness. She has experienced things that have fundamentally changed her personality, it's taken away a 'normal' childhood and therefore changed who she is and will be in the future. Eleanor's life is very nurture over nature. This book speaks on loneliness and depression (and even anxiety) in a way I haven't seen in a novel ever. I am experiencing an especially dark and lonely time in my own life so it's comforting to see someone come out the other end like Eleanor does. I wish there were more books by this author for me to purchase right now. Since this was her debut and so far only book I will just have to try and be patient as I wait. #reading #books #booksofinfluenster #ilovetoread

5 stars !!

This story is so brilliantly written. Eleanor is an atypical, funny, and dynamic character. I am very fond of a character who processes emotions very literally and matter of fact. Eleanor is the poster child for literal. Her growth is beautifully paced, and her journey in becoming more compassionate and empathetic felt very natural. She refused to do things that were not true to her character, and that felt triumphant to me. She has been through far too much to sacrifice more of herself for the benefit of other people. Eleanor is a wonderfully peculiar character who will stay with me for a long, long time.

A Good Page turner!!

When i first read the beginning pages, I like the fact that how the main character is completely opposite from many female leads. For example, the way she can't keep our thoughts to herself when she don't know how to stay polite or nice to others. Eleanor is very socially awkward who doesn't plan to be aquainted with any people. She is very pride woman but also hurt and sad from her past mom. I also want to keep finding out why she feels so afraid of her mom and if she ever find someone to talk about her problems. That someone is her friend, Raymond who completely changes her life of looking things different from her view. Every page is pretty funny with Eleanor's first moments of outting at a party and a Brazilian wax. As the story progress, you will sympathize her ... MoreWhen i first read the beginning pages, I like the fact that how the main character is completely opposite from many female leads. For example, the way she can't keep our thoughts to herself when she don't know how to stay polite or nice to others. Eleanor is very socially awkward who doesn't plan to be aquainted with any people. She is very pride woman but also hurt and sad from her past mom. I also want to keep finding out why she feels so afraid of her mom and if she ever find someone to talk about her problems. That someone is her friend, Raymond who completely changes her life of looking things different from her view. Every page is pretty funny with Eleanor's first moments of outting at a party and a Brazilian wax. As the story progress, you will sympathize her loneliness and the pain of being hurt. I love Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine as I finished reading in three week considering i am a full time working mom.

A book that keeps you turning the page

***I voluntarily reviewed an Advanced Reader's Copy of this book for my honest review & I thank the publishers Harper Collins NZ***I reviewed this book and the cover is different to the one here, my cover is like the hardback.My book coverThis book was one recommended to me, and the story at first had me thinking what was I reading, but as you peel away the layer of Eleanor you will find the most innocent of characters, who finally is growing into the woman she was supposed to be.This book deals with the result of children put into the social system, and although Eleanor had all her basic needs met, her emotional needs were failed miserably.This review is going to be short, because I want readers to go into this book as I did, without expectations, to turn ... More***I voluntarily reviewed an Advanced Reader's Copy of this book for my honest review & I thank the publishers Harper Collins NZ***I reviewed this book and the cover is different to the one here, my cover is like the hardback.My book coverThis book was one recommended to me, and the story at first had me thinking what was I reading, but as you peel away the layer of Eleanor you will find the most innocent of characters, who finally is growing into the woman she was supposed to be.This book deals with the result of children put into the social system, and although Eleanor had all her basic needs met, her emotional needs were failed miserably.This review is going to be short, because I want readers to go into this book as I did, without expectations, to turn each page and explore the ups and downs Eleanor experiences as she finally begins to open up to the world.Raymond... I wanted to say a few words about Raymond. He was so nondescript but such a good guy. The book ends with an ambiguous future for Eleanor but in my heart, I hope that she finally ends up with Raymond.Thanks to Kelly Bold for recommending this book - it was a book that helped me escape a troubling month.***I voluntarily reviewed an Advanced Reader's Copy of this book for my honest review & I thank the publishers Harper Collins NZ***

A testament to resilience and the power of caring.

This is a testament to the resilience of people badly damaged by unspeakable childhood trauma. It is also a beautifully rendered and insightful account of how small kindnesses and random moments can transform us and set us on a path to rehabilitation, self respect, and dignity.Eleanor Oliphant lives in a strange world, alone, isolated and friendless. Her life consists of days spent at her office desk, surrounded by others who treat her as an object of fun, where her only relief is eating her lunch alone and spending her weekends locked away in her small, minimally furnished flat drinking the two bottles of Vodka she habitually purchases on the way home each Friday evening.The only connection with the outside world she seems to have are the calls she receives from ... MoreThis is a testament to the resilience of people badly damaged by unspeakable childhood trauma. It is also a beautifully rendered and insightful account of how small kindnesses and random moments can transform us and set us on a path to rehabilitation, self respect, and dignity.Eleanor Oliphant lives in a strange world, alone, isolated and friendless. Her life consists of days spent at her office desk, surrounded by others who treat her as an object of fun, where her only relief is eating her lunch alone and spending her weekends locked away in her small, minimally furnished flat drinking the two bottles of Vodka she habitually purchases on the way home each Friday evening.The only connection with the outside world she seems to have are the calls she receives from Mummy who calls her as regular as clockwork each Wednesday evening...Eleanor Oliphant is happy with her life, its regularity, its sameness. Everything is completely fine in her world: Work, Wednesdays with Mummy, and weekends with Vodka. Anything else would be asking for too much. More than she could bear. She knows better than to reach out, better than to try connecting with other people or let other people in.And then an old man falls on the footpath in front of her and slowly Eleanor Oliphant's perfectly fine world begins to unravel.This book will shock you, make you laugh out loud, and have you sobbing. In spite of the shocking reality behind Eleanor's childhood, this is an antidote to despair. I can't stop recommending this book to people around me because it speaks to so many issues: human connection, love, child welfare, interpersonal relationships, workplace bullying, mental illness, and so on. It deserves its Best Seller status.

Brilliant read!

I always resist buying books with stars and medals because they are usually overhyped rubbish, but this was a brilliantly written novel. This deserves the hype. In fact I would go as far to say it will be a classic. The lead character is written with such detail and love. I've never read anything like it .It has a beautiful and heartbreaking story. I cried numerous times. Eleanor isn't a people person, but she is smarter than most. She struggles with conversation and interactions but events unfold that force her to let people into her life. A story you won't forget.

Good read for the many

Overall good book. Eleanor is very corky, but a lot because of her childhood issues. You get to really know her because the book narrative is a lot of her thoughts and then her reactions to things. I am not faun of her mother. I do see how some of the situation would really occur in real life but find her character lacking in a messed up way. She comes across very strong mentally Socially she doesn't, even though she thinks others are socially inadequate, she really is. I would have given the book more stars but I find her obsession with the musician ridiculous, to the point she spirals out of control and tries to harm herself. No human being to live based on someone else's life especially someone you don't know. But then again, that's the whole point of the story.

Incredibly heartwarming

I had been putting it off for quite a while as I was scared off a little by the hype around the book and worried that I wasn't going to enjoy it as much as I was anticipating... boy was I wrong!This book simply, but beautifully portrays the life of a socially awkward woman, filled with trauma, as she learns to break free from herself with the help of those around her.Eleanor is awkward, odd & sometimes just downright strange but she helps you to reflect back on those parts of ourselves we would rather not think about and/or sometimes not even recognise. Her journey of self love & discovery made for a completely compelling read which was near impossible to put down. Her character was so perfectly crafted and realistic, it made her at times incredibly relatable and ... MoreI had been putting it off for quite a while as I was scared off a little by the hype around the book and worried that I wasn't going to enjoy it as much as I was anticipating... boy was I wrong!This book simply, but beautifully portrays the life of a socially awkward woman, filled with trauma, as she learns to break free from herself with the help of those around her.Eleanor is awkward, odd & sometimes just downright strange but she helps you to reflect back on those parts of ourselves we would rather not think about and/or sometimes not even recognise. Her journey of self love & discovery made for a completely compelling read which was near impossible to put down. Her character was so perfectly crafted and realistic, it made her at times incredibly relatable and made me warm to her & her odd ways very fast.Eleanor is helped along her journey by a fellow work colleague Raymond. Raymond was an incredibly vital part of Eleanor's life and the story. He was the simple daily boost & friendship that she so badly needed to help her get past her demons and grow further as a human. He was so perfectly depicted as realistic and easy to empathise with & I really enjoyed the fact that he was just a regular human, not some knight in shining armour perfect in every way.Gail Honeyman does an incredible job at making all of the themes in this novel combine seamlessly & not making them overwhelming. It is very well-written, insightful and alternates between heartbreaking and heartwarming through every page. Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine is a beautifully written, hilarious and true account of loneliness and how a little kindness can have a massive impact. Everybody needs to read this book - it is on the top of my all time favourites list.

brilliant debut novel

Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine is the first novel by British author, Gail Honeyman. At thirty years of age, and despite her degree in Classics, Eleanor Oliphant has worked a mundane office job in By Design, a graphic design company in Glasgow for nine years. She has no friends and the people she works with find her strange. But her life is well organised: completely fine, in her opinion, needing nothing. Until, that is, she casts eyes on musician Johnnie Lomond.Eleanor sets out to attract the love of her life, undergoing several preparatory procedures to ready herself for a potential encounter (waxing, hair, nails, make-up), as well as acquiring the electronic means to do some research on the object of her attention. She is distracted from her task by Raymond ... MoreEleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine is the first novel by British author, Gail Honeyman. At thirty years of age, and despite her degree in Classics, Eleanor Oliphant has worked a mundane office job in By Design, a graphic design company in Glasgow for nine years. She has no friends and the people she works with find her strange. But her life is well organised: completely fine, in her opinion, needing nothing. Until, that is, she casts eyes on musician Johnnie Lomond.Eleanor sets out to attract the love of her life, undergoing several preparatory procedures to ready herself for a potential encounter (waxing, hair, nails, make-up), as well as acquiring the electronic means to do some research on the object of her attention. She is distracted from her task by Raymond Gibbons, the firm's (rather slovenly) IT consultant, who ropes her into helping an old man who has fallen in the street. Eleanor is sure he's ***** but "...Even alcoholics deserve help, I suppose, although they should get ***** at home, like I do, so that they don't cause anyone else any trouble. But then, not everyone is as sensible and considerate as me."Honeyman gives the reader a moving tale that includes a good dose of humour. Eleanor is a complex character: socially inept but generally unaware of it, often remarking on the lack of manners that others display: "'You don't look like a social worker,' I said. She stared at me but said nothing. Not again! In every walk of life, I encounter people with underdeveloped social skills with alarming frequency. Why is it that client-facing jobs hold such allure for misanthropes..."Yet Eleanor is often insightful, although she can also be naïve: "After all, how hard could it be? ... If I could perform scansion on the Aeneid, if I could build a macro in an Excel spreadsheet, if I could spend the last nine birthdays and Christmases and New Year's Eves alone, then I'm sure I could manage to organize a delightful festive lunch for thirty people on a budget of ten p