Book Review | Eleanor Oliphant is Completely FINE by Gail Honeyman – Surviving Tragedy and finding Hope
Posted by
Dr. Preeti Chauhan
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Book Blurb of ‘Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine’
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 existence. Except, sometimes everything…
The bright yellow background with the title strategically placed in the centre of a matchstick home says a lot about the plot and is definitely attention grabbing.Full marks for the cover page- it appeals visually and invokes a positive feeling while arousing curiosity without giving too much away.
Plot and Layout
‘Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine‘ is a book about urban loneliness and surviving tragedy.It is about how small acts of kindness could make someone’s day and how sometimes a little can be a lot.
Eleanor Oliphant works as a finance clerk, with a degree in classics. She is a thirty years old woman who only attracts a second glance because of the long scar on her cheek.Her possessions are sparse. She is a single woman who prefers to lie low and is content living an insignificant dull life till she falls for an upcoming singing star.This love is about to change her life completely.
Other important characters in the novel are Eleanor’s boss Bob , her colleague Raymond and her mysterious Mummy, who is always pulling her strings and pushing her buttons.
The book has been divided into three sections – Good days , Bad days and Better Days.Interestingly, ‘The Good Days’ take a big chunk of the book and the ‘Better Days’ are very small.’The Good Days’ make for the most heartfelt and delightful reading, it is funny and witty and it touches you with its tender moments. At the same time it is heartbreaking to see how Eleanor ridiculed by all, tries to keep her head low and lives with no hope and in survival mode only. The later chapters in the book then reveal her dark past page by page and we learn why Eleanor is happy to just exist.
‘Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine’ ends on a positive note which is a big relief after the tragic middle, though to my dismay it became a bit predictable there and the author seemed to be in a hurry to give us a happy ending. That said, overall it is a beautiful book that tells us how small things matter in life while taking a look into the life of a supposedly ordinary girl living an extraordinary life.Eleanor’s life finally loses its a darkness and holds the promise of hope and joy for her.
Read ‘Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine’ if you love books that talk about hope and loss without sounding preachy.If you are someone who appreciates good and simple writing straight from the heart then this is the book for you.It may get into cliches at some rare places and the ending felt hurried to me but overall I do recommend this book.If you love slow romances that grow on you, if you are a believer in the power of hope and love then ‘Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine’ written by Gail Honeyman is for you. It is a feel good book for young adults and teenagers.
I’m also currently reading a book for teens and young adults. I love your yellow book. It is quite attractive. Maybe my daughter will enjoy this. She loves to read and she’s turning into a teen next year!
Oh I loved this book. I took time to get to like Eleanor but she grew on me through the pages. The way she accepts her life and her loneliness, never even thinking or hoping that life could get better with loved ones, was heartbreaking. Glad I dropped by and got to relive one of my favourite reads.
Your review of Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine is insightful and well-structured. I appreciate how you’ve captured the essence of Eleanor’s journey, balancing the book’s humor and heartbreak. Your analysis of the plot and cover design is spot on. While you mentioned the predictability of the ending, your overall recommendation feels genuine and relatable.
After reading your review, the cover makes a lot of sense. I had tried reading this book years ago but found it a bit too sad in the beginning to continue. Loved your review of it though. Small acts of kindness indeed can change someone’s day tremendously.
So many people live like Elanour, lying low and contented with the ordinary stuff they do have and not making a fuss about high achieving. And then happiness and love find them. The theme is good. I will add it to my reading list.
This is an absolute favourite of mine! This book is like a warm cup of tea, soothing and comforting. I had loved Eleanor’s term ‘camouflage’ for turning invisible in society, so relatable. I am so glad you wrote this review, thoroughly enjoyed reading it!
And, have been waiting for Gail Honeyman to write her next all these years!
The book emphasizes that even individuals who appear to be “completely fine” may have the capacity to heal and rebuild their lives. Eleanor’s story is one of transformation and the power of connection, illustrating that people can overcome their past traumas and find happiness.
I also loved Eleanor Oliphant, who is completely fine! Eleanor’s journey from loneliness to finding hope is heartwarming. The book’s gentle exploration of small acts of kindness and personal transformation really resonated with me. Despite its predictable ending, it’s a beautifully crafted story that lingers with you.
I appreciate the way you highlighted the impact of small acts of kindness and the book’s portrayal of loneliness and hope. The cover design and structure of the review were well-explained, and your honest take on the ending adds depth to your recommendation.
I love books of hope that come out triumphantly at the end! And if course non preachy books. The cover looks attractive. Will pick this on my next read.
One of my favorite picks and one of the few that deserve the hype. Quite relatable too. I agree with you on the predictability but still a book worth reading.
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I always consider you as a reviewer who writes NO NONSENSE and only the reality. I always admire the reviews…
I had read this. I agree with you as I fall in the last category. Wasn’t much invested in it.
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