A review by chandranolynne
Eleanor Oliphant Is Completely Fine by Gail Honeyman

dark emotional funny hopeful informative inspiring mysterious reflective sad slow-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

This book was the somber hug I didn't know I needed. It's dark and deep and funny in the saddest way possible. Eleanor is something, but RAYMOND! Och, I love Raymond. I've never had a fictional boyfriend, but if I did, I might choose Raymond. And this novel isn't even a romance!! I just really, really, want to be friends with him and go to lunch and hang out with his mother and her cats. SO much. 

Eleanor Oliphant is, at its core, a book about functional depression. So, it's sad. And some people don't like sad. But I truly feel that if you have ever dealt with depression and understand its nuances, this book will likely speak to you. It certainly did me. Yes, it's super sad and I cried a lot, but there is also a tremendous amount of beauty to take away from it. I just think that you should stop whatever it is that you're doing right now, and go read this book. It's definitely vying for my favorite book of 2023!
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