Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine

by Gail Honeyman

Over 2.5 million copies sold

‘Funny, touching and unpredictable’ Jojo Moyes

‘Heartwrenching and wonderful’ Nina Stibbe

Winner of Costa First Novel Award, a No.1 Sunday Times bestseller and the Book of the Year

One of the Sunday Times' 100 bestselling books of the past 50 years

Eleanor Oliphant 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 happy. Nothing is missing from her carefully timetabled life. Except, sometimes, everything.

One simple act of kindness is about to shatter the walls Eleanor has built around herself. Now she must learn how to navigate the world that everyone else seems to take for granted – while searching for the courage to face the dark corners she’s avoided all her life.

Change can be good. Change can be bad. But surely any change is better than… fine?

‘Moving, funny and devastating’ The Herald

‘Unforgettable, brilliant, funny and life-affirming’ Daily Mail

‘I adored it. Skilled, perceptive, Eleanor's world will feel familiar to you from the very first page. An outstanding debut!’ Joanna Cannon

• ISBN13: 9780008172145
• Publish Date: 25 January 2018 (first published 9 May 2017)
• Publish Status: Active
• Publish Country: GB
• Publisher: HarperCollins Publishers Inc
• Imprint: HarperCollins
• Format: Paperback
• Pages: 400
• Language: English
• URL: http://harpercollins.co.uk

Reviews

[rohshey]

Buddy read with Anubelle (Babe, I think the world would fall apart the day you and I would love the same book)

This book is much like it's title. I wouldn’t call it great and it’s certainly not bad, it’s just fine. I know I’m on my own when I give it a ‘meh’ review (it’s been optioned for film and TV rights, has a killer Goodreads rating, Reese Witherspoon won’t shut up about it)

It’s the story of an idiosyncratic woman whose routine of work, vodka, packet pizza and avoiding human interaction defines her existence. After a chance encounter with a colleague where they save a guy’s life, Eleanor begins a metamorphosis which will either see her discover joy and meaning in life or return to the work, vodka, pizza, avoiding humans fate.

For all its shortcomings to win me over, there are things the book does well: Eleanor as a character is well-drawn and complex. It can be quite funny, and while the story is ultimately redemptive it puts a spotlight on mental illness and the role profound loneliness plays in it. I guess I never really invested myself fully in this story, perhaps because I found it unconvincing or maybe I’m a just cold hard bitch? Take your pick.

P.s. For thorough and insightful take on the book, read Anu's review