Eleanor Oliphant is completely fine. She is thirty years old, has worked in the same office for years, and has weekly conversations with her Mummy. She is also socially awkward, vodka is her only friend, and very rarely leaves her flat except for work. She says what is on her mind and does not know how to be anything but honest, no matter the consequence. One day Eleanor needs help with her work computer and Raymond from IT comes to fix it for her. Raymond is a bumbling, unkempt kind of fellow who is amused by Eleanor and not offended by her quirky nature. When the two misfits save the life of an elderly man they are bonded in a way that neither of them expects. Soon they are meeting for lunch and attending events together. Their uncomplicated relationship helps Eleanor to realize that the life she has been living is no life at all.
Eleanor Oliphant is going to remind you of Sheldon Cooper. They both have that quirky manner that keeps them from being able to have any kind of subterfuge. Eleanor Oliphant is abrubt, quirky, fastidious, and absolutely wonderful. But one thing Eleanor is not is fine. Not at first anyway, but she is getting there. The difference between Eleanor and Sheldon is that Eleanor had a pretty horrific childhood and has been scarred, but literally and figuratively. It isn't until she starts to come out of her shell with Raymond that she realizes the way she has been living is not normal. Her life has been pretty solitary with just her books and her vodka to keep her company and when she starts to interact with Raymond you desperately want their relationship to develop to more. Eleanor is an incredibly sympathetic character, even with her sometimes cringe-worthy commentary, you can't help but root for her happiness. Everything comes to a head and forces Eleanor to confront her demons. The big "question" doesn't ever really get resolved, but you get the sense it is heading in the right direction. And I was okay with that.
Bottom Line - Eleanor Oliphant is completely fine is one of those books that everybody has been talking about and with good reason. Eleanor's growth and transformation is one that will stick with you long after you turn the last page.
Details:
- Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine by Gail Honeyman
- On Twitter
- Pages: 336
- Publisher: Penguin Publishing Group
- Publication Date: 5/9/2017
- Buy it Here!
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