From the Bookshelf of The Perks Of Being A Book Addict…

Eleanor Oliphant Is Completely Fine

Gail Honeyman

Start date: February 1, 2021

Finish date: February 28, 2021

Discussion: Group Books of the Month (BotM)

Why we're reading this: Chosen as our romantic comedy themed BotM for February 2021. Previously read August 2017 Contemporary The…more
[close] Chosen as our romantic comedy themed BotM for February 2021. Previously read August 2017 Contemporary Themed BotM

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What Members Thought

Aug 06, 2020 Renuka rated it it was ok

Shelves: forgettable

I don’t know, I’m probably one of the few people on the planet that just didn’t love this book. It was well written and Eleanor is definitely an interesting character but, I just didn’t like her. Like not even in the “she’s odd but endearing way.” I just didn’t like her inner monologue, and I definitely didn’t find it funny. More sad and oblivious and also rude (unintentionally but still).

I understand, of course, that this is a book about a woman who goes through an extremely personal journey a ...more

5 likes · Like · see review

Feb 15, 2021 Salma rated it it was amazing

Shelves: favorites, genius-women

I’m usually prompt with reviews, but I had to take a few days to absorb Eleanor Oliphant Is Completely Fine. What. A. Voice.

I have never laughed this hard when reading a book. But the really funny thing is- I don’t think the author actually intended to write comedy. It just turns out that way because of the nature of Eleanor’s observations. Eleanor’s an office worker in her early thirties. She does her job well, keeps her interaction with her colleagues to a minimum (primarily because her way o ...more

3 likes · Like · see review

Mar 03, 2018 Ellen Librarian rated it really liked it

I'd give this book 4.5 stars if I could. I found it far more moving and poignant than I expected. The blurb made it sound a bit silly but it isn't at all. There are some very funny moments, though.

My only complaint is that the character of Eleanor did not quite hang together for me. The Eleanor in some scenes did not seem like the same Eleanor in others. That said, each scene worked on its own so it was easy to suspend disbelief as I went along, even as I was questioning some of it.

It's a page t ...more

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Mar 12, 2018 Susan rated it really liked it

Shelves: friendship, fiction, own-in-book-format, read-in-2018

I have complicated feelings about this one. I was led to believe that it would be fairly light-hearted, but that did not turn out to be the case. It was difficult to read parts of this book, but I’m ultimately glad I did. Eleanor’s story is very compelling and you spend the whole time you’re reading alternating between rooting for her and saying her name on a sigh, shaking your head. Eleanor Oliphant is completely fine by the end of the book, and that made me intensely happy.

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Aug 27, 2018 Amy rated it liked it

Gail Honeyman's Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine. Eleanor's life is anything put fine but she finds herself out of her comfort zone and forced to confront her past. Will she be able move on or forever be shackled to her mother's chains? ...more

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Mar 29, 2021 Niki McDowell rated it really liked it

Eleanor Oliphant is a woman of routine, who spends her days largely alone. She struggles with normal social interaction and you find this is due to a traumatic past that she doesn’t want to face. A work acquaintance and an old man in an accident, start to break down some of her barriers and give her the exposure to people, and the confidence that she needs to be happy. Good book, would recommend.

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