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

dark funny reflective medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

 

Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine 

Gail Honeyman @ 2018 

 

Eleanor Oliphant is an odd mix of Elizabeth Zoot from Lessons in Chemistry, by Bonnie Garmus, and Tom Holland's schizophrenic character, Danny Sullivan, from Apple TV's "The Crowded Room." Eleanor has an antiquated way of speaking and behaving that shuts down conversations and leaves her peers baffled.  However, she is also an elitist, constantly spouting off how and what one should know and do. 

 

 Eleanor also has a feverish need for order and rituals. She uses them as controls against the chaos of the modern world and to maintain a sense of superiority over those she doesn't know how to interact with. Many of her behaviors seems autistic, until we learn her odd ways are the byproduct of a cruel and shaming childhood with a psychologically damaged mother. In the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, she would probably be labeled as having Complex-PTSD — aberrant behavior caused by a lack of healthy nurturing.  But, to the author's credit, she doesn't weigh down the story too much by focusing on Ethis trauma.  

 

The highlights of the novel are the ways in which Eleanor blossoms after a chance encounter helping an elder man who has fallen crossing a London street.  She happens to be leaving work the same time as Raymond, a new, geeky IT employee in her office is. He insists that they help the fallen senior, Sammy.  Eleanor calms Sammy down  Raymond calls for an ambulance. As Raymond accompanies Sammy in the ambulance, Eleanor packs up Sammy’s spilled groceries and returns them to Sammy the next day. 

Both Raymond and Eleanor continue visiting Sammy until he is discharged. Sammy salutes them for saving his life and introduces them as his savior to his wife, children, and grandchildren. From this random incident, a friendship buds that offers new social opportunities for both the protagonist and her colleague, Raymond. 

 

At the same time Eleanor’s life is whirling with new experiences and people, she is obsessively focused on a fantasy relationship with a handsome singer whom she she has never met. Like a besotted school girl, she follows him on social media and elevates him to princely status -- bubbling over him as if he is about to become her newfound, life partner.  She believes her fantasy man has the power to cure her isolation and save Eleanor from her worst behaviors.

 

Eleanor’s fantasy romance is interrupted by weekly Wednesday phone calls from her "Mummy". Mummy pushes Eleanor to secure her fantasy man quickly while ridiculing her for being incapable of navigating life as a successful, independent adult. 

 

My favorite parts of the novel are the scenes that revolve around Raymond and his lovely mother.  From these two, and Sammy's extended family, Eleanor learns that healthy, loving family members treat each other with kindness and compassion, not paranoia, bullying, or criticism. 

 

Through her friendship with Raymond, and sessions with an insightful therapist, Marie Temple, Eleanor slowly begins excavating the trauma of her past to heal and recover. Readers are given the opportunity to accompany her through this process in the therapist’s office.