Book Review: Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine by Gail Honeyman

 Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine 

By Gail Honeyman 

Published Year: 2017 (HarperCollins)

Page Count: 383 pages 

Medium Used : Paperback 

Genre : Contemporary Fiction, Chronic Depression, Loneliness, Mental Illness, 2025-read. 

Rating : 4/5 😇😇😇😇

If the character of Eleanor Oliphant is not consistent, I would have laughed and put away the book as farcical. Yes. Eleanor has had a tough past/upbringing and she is rendered incapable of having a strong social life. The author spooked me at how easily she plays her inner psychological detective and comes out of her mental issues. She accurately diagnoses her issues and though she couldn't deal with them, she nevertheless is aware of all her problems and the after effects. This felt strange and insincere to me. Other than this, the story and narration is very gripping. I found myself reading the book when I was suppose to be doing something else more productive. I spent a large part of my work day immersed in the story and thankfully I didn't get called out on that! There is also a surprise element which I read elsewhere .. I think in the book The Woman in the Window by A.J.Finn that sort of went flat. 

Eleanor had had a tough childhood with a terrifying mother and a helpless baby sister she couldn't protect. This leaves both physical and emotional scars on her. After a certain deadly fire accident, she will be moved between multiple foster homes and unable to cope with grief, suppresses her emotional needs. She finds it difficult to make friends or interact with people on a social level. She is addicted to solving crossword puzzles and drinking vodka. Her weeks are all planned and happen like a clock - very predictable and carefully planned. Raymond is a funny, grouchy and very likeable, kind character that enters her life and starts encouraging her to investigate her inner self. To get in touch with her inner impediments and visit a shrink. This helps her and she eventually breaks free from her setbacks. Reading the book is very encouraging to me and I feel to many like Eleanor who were disadvantaged from the start. One doesn't choose the family one is to have and like Ellie, what that supposed does instead of providing protection and nurturing support.