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A review by katykelly
Eleanor Oliphant Is Completely Fine by Gail Honeyman
5.0
Warmly funny story of a social outsider making a life worth living
I loved this, I loved Eleanor, her story, her personality and her eccentricities. I did wonder when I began if she was a female Edward Stanton (600 Hours of Edward), but he has Aspergers' and OCD - Eleanor has made choices to live the way she does, though she is also a little 'different'.
With a mother who hates her and a tragedy in her past she hints at, Eleanor dislikes almost everyone she meets. She's worked in the same office, at the same job, since finishing with education. She has no friends, goes home to an empty flat, drinks the weekends away. One day she falls for a musician performing on stage and resolves to become someone he'll notice for the day they 'get together', and this prompts the first of many changes to her life. But is she ready to let people into her world? And will it go as she expects?
The IT guy at her office is with her the afternoon she sees a man collapse on the street, and she is forced to interact with people unwillingly, making connections for the first time.
It's wonderful stuff, you can see where it is going... mostly. Eleanor's history is fascinating - you really want to know just what she and her mother are referring to from their past.
Eleanor is adorable, in a frustrating way - rude and literal, she's damaged but surviving - just. Alcoholic and unhappy, this details the life-changing weeks as she reluctantly connects to other people, opens up, and starts to address her issues. Her new friend, IT guy Raymond is also adorable, in a geeky, downmarket slobby way.
I really REALLY want this to be made into a film, there are some wonderful roles here, with some great 'transformation' potential, good lines, memorable scenes.
The cover makes sense near the end, the title too.
This is gaining momentum as a bestseller, a hugely popular read - jump on the bandwagon now, it's wonderful.
I loved this, I loved Eleanor, her story, her personality and her eccentricities. I did wonder when I began if she was a female Edward Stanton (600 Hours of Edward), but he has Aspergers' and OCD - Eleanor has made choices to live the way she does, though she is also a little 'different'.
With a mother who hates her and a tragedy in her past she hints at, Eleanor dislikes almost everyone she meets. She's worked in the same office, at the same job, since finishing with education. She has no friends, goes home to an empty flat, drinks the weekends away. One day she falls for a musician performing on stage and resolves to become someone he'll notice for the day they 'get together', and this prompts the first of many changes to her life. But is she ready to let people into her world? And will it go as she expects?
The IT guy at her office is with her the afternoon she sees a man collapse on the street, and she is forced to interact with people unwillingly, making connections for the first time.
It's wonderful stuff, you can see where it is going... mostly. Eleanor's history is fascinating - you really want to know just what she and her mother are referring to from their past.
Eleanor is adorable, in a frustrating way - rude and literal, she's damaged but surviving - just. Alcoholic and unhappy, this details the life-changing weeks as she reluctantly connects to other people, opens up, and starts to address her issues. Her new friend, IT guy Raymond is also adorable, in a geeky, downmarket slobby way.
I really REALLY want this to be made into a film, there are some wonderful roles here, with some great 'transformation' potential, good lines, memorable scenes.
The cover makes sense near the end, the title too.
This is gaining momentum as a bestseller, a hugely popular read - jump on the bandwagon now, it's wonderful.