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A review by mcmarg
Eleanor Oliphant Is Completely Fine by Gail Honeyman
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
I literally loved this book and never wanted it to end. I really felt like I knew Eleanor and wanted her to have everything. This book was so surprising to me, I literally could not put it down and it made me so hopeful and it sad and I actually laughed out loud and cried!! and I am not a big book crier.
The story brings you through Eleanor's life as a 30-year-old woman working in an office. Her life so far has been completely devastated by the trauma of her evil mother, her sister's death, her own experience of the fire that scarred her face, foster homes, and an abusive relationship. I loved Raymond's character so much, on the outside, he was just a regular dude with a ton of problems of his own, but on the inside, he was the most kind, generous, thoughtful person in the world it was almost hard to believe. I find it kind of interesting that without him there really wouldn't have been the growth of Eleanor's character and in all honesty, she would have died - but I guess that is meant to show how no human can survive without the love or companionship of another person.
It's really interesting to be so invested in a character who is experiencing the lowkey psychosis that Eleanor is experiencing - like when she goes to the musician's apartment I was literally like girl please leave what the hell is up with you. But I didn't love the climax of that storyline. She just goes to the concert and in the crowd single-handedly realizes that she is delusional, when she could have randomly realized that at any point? I think the depths of her delusions implied to me that something big was going to happen to open her eyes to what she was doing- such as a rejection or Raymond confronting her about it. I just expected something else there. But that realization fit well for the turning point in her self-concept and the mental breakdown she goes through after breaks my heart.
The Jane Eyre references made in the foster home records, with the therapist Maria Temple, and the fact that she actually reads the book, was a nice touch. as a die-hard fan of Jane Eyre!! that's a big yes from me.
It's really interesting to be so invested in a character who is experiencing the lowkey psychosis that Eleanor is experiencing - like when she goes to the musician's apartment I was literally like girl please leave what the hell is up with you. But I didn't love the climax of that storyline. She just goes to the concert and in the crowd single-handedly realizes that she is delusional, when she could have randomly realized that at any point? I think the depths of her delusions implied to me that something big was going to happen to open her eyes to what she was doing- such as a rejection or Raymond confronting her about it. I just expected something else there. But that realization fit well for the turning point in her self-concept and the mental breakdown she goes through after breaks my heart.
The Jane Eyre references made in the foster home records, with the therapist Maria Temple, and the fact that she actually reads the book, was a nice touch. as a die-hard fan of Jane Eyre!! that's a big yes from me.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Physical abuse, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Suicide attempt, Alcoholism, and Alcohol
Moderate: Rape
Minor: Child death and Abandonment