Title: Eleanor Oliphant Is Completely Fine
Author: Gail Honeyman
Year Published: 2017
Genre: Upmarket Fiction
Setting: Glasgow, Scotland
My Rating: 
Eleanor Oliphant Is Completely Fine: An Overview
Eleanor Oliphant has her routines, and she know how life should look. She buys the same foods, drinks the same vodka, wears the same outfits, and lives in the same never-changing flat that she’s been in for over a decade. She’s happy avoiding social interaction, and she doesn’t desire more out of life.
Then she meets Raymond, the IT guy at work, and ends up saving an elderly man’s life with him. For the first time in a long time, her routine shifts–and her world begins to open up. She begins to venture out with Raymond more often, to visit Sammy (the elderly man), and to question her the life she’s been living…including the difficult past she’s been trying to forget.
My Thoughts
I’m super late to this party.
I’ve seen positive reviews of Eleanor Oliphant Is Completely Fine for years and heard the buzz, yet it was only a couple of weeks ago that I finally picked it up. While the book was initially a little slow to get into, I was hooked by the third or fourth chapter and ended up loving it.
Eleanor Drives the Book Forward
Eleanor’s voice is strong, unique, and authentic. That’s what makes this whole book work so well. She’s not one of those characters who’s quirky for the sake of it or who serves to make a point about an underrepresented group but never delves beneath the surface. She is herself, and that’s the beautiful thing about this book.
That’s why we cheer for her so much as she grows, pushes her boundaries, and starts experiencing life again. It’s what drives the plot forward. It’s what makes the story memorable. Eleanor might not understand–or want to understand–everything, but she knows who she is. She doesn’t see herself as a victim or heroine. Just Eleanor Oliphant.
The Story Covers Important Issues in an Authentic Way
Eleanor Oliphant Is Completely Fine also covers several pressing issues: mental health, loneliness, abuse, the search for happiness, etc…but never once does it feel cliche, preachy, or too surface-level. Instead, the plot and character development are both completely organic. Eleanor’s changing relationship to Raymond, the outside world, and herself is earned and imperfect, just like in real life. It’s heartwarming to see her not only move forward in terms of starting her life again, but also to dig into what’s been holding her back. And all of this is done without the cliche I’ll change myself to try to fit in, then realize that I was fine how I was at the start trope.
Not to mention the twist at the end–that got me!
It Reminded Me WHY I Love Reading
It felt like how books are supposed to feel. I’m the first one to admit that I’m guilty of reading the kind of books that you binge, where they’re entertaining but don’t have a ton of literary merit. I won’t pretend to be the kind of person who actively seeks literary fiction, either. Upmarket fiction is my niche, and even within that niche, it can be difficult to find books that feel so unique and complete.
Eleanor Oliphant Is Completely Fine is one of those books. I was surprised that this was Honeyman’s debut novel–what a debut! It truly met the definition of upmarket fiction (commercial fiction entertainment value with literary fiction quality). The character development, writing, pacing, structure, and suspense are all perfectly done. These days, it’s hard to find a book that leaves me completely satisfied. This one did it.
A Final Word
Eleanor Oliphant Is Completely Fine is the best book I’ve read in a while, and it left me thoroughly satisfied. If you enjoy books with strong voices, memorable and lovable characters, satisfying payoffs, and dry humor, this one is for you. Although, in all fairness, I’d recommend it to anybody. It was that good.
Have you read Eleanor Oliphant Is Completely Fine? Let me know what you thought!
