Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine

[Sarah]

Next read

[Helen]

I'm going to start it now. It will be like taking a warm bath after reading the last one!

[Helen]

I love Eleanor Oliphant, in my opinion she is a completely fine person. This book is written in the first person, which works really well for me with Eleanor's story. There is so much to love about this book, it's an empathetic close up on loneliness overall, but why is she so alone? Is it because of childhood trauma and not having had the chance to learn how to 'fit in' or would she have been this wonderful anyway? Raymond; what a character, a friend anyone would want and I'm hoping for a happy ending for these two. I didn't like the Eleanor/therapist interactions. I understand why they were vital to the plot but they just didn't ring true in my opinion. Similarly, the mummy twist, I would have found it so much more satisfying had she been alive and Eleanor had cut her off. There is some beautiful writing in this book but it's inconsistent, sometimes I thought the author was bored and just filling up the page. That said, she has created a wonderful character and I hope she writes a sequel as I need to know that Eleanor Oliphant is still completely fine.

[Sarah]

Love the review Helen, I think also that with it having been written in the first person, it draws you into the book even more. I read this book about a year ago, I loved it then, full of emotion, and I agree with you that it makes you full of empathy for Eleanor's character. This book has stayed with me, and I too would certainly hope that a sequel is written.
Have left a message for you in the Welcome message board x

[Shirley]

I agree with everything you both say, such an endearing character, made me chuckle many times. I loved her very funny private criticisms of the world and people around her, and often thought about how many of us think in the same way but manage not to blurt it out.
She reminded me of Miss Jean Brodie, curt and cutting at times, then she morphed into Norman Bates when I realised she was ‘hearing’ her mother. Thankfully she didn’t end up like either of these two in this plot but blossomed. It was lovely to watch her transition from slightly robotic and restricted Eleanor to the gentle and appreciative person she became. The many small acts of kindness gradually changed her, mostly from Raymond, who I can picture so clearly. I thought the opening up scenes with the counsellor were heartbreaking, that there had been none available when she was a child was a disturbing thought.
A very touching commentary on loneliness (for all ages) and reflection of our times.

[Paul]

I finished this one last night and have to say, I found it a bit of a struggle. not the sort of book I'd normally read.
Initially, I thought it a poor imitation of Bridget Jones (which I did read years ago and quite enjoyed), then as it progressed it became clear that Eleanor had some sort of personality disorder. I'm no psychologist but I thought at first she was living with asperger's but there were too many inconsistencies, for example when out of the blue, she started worrying what other people thought about her - meeting Raymond at the library so her work colleagues wouldn't know, starting to worry about her appearance etc. As I say, I'm no expert but I felt that once I'd ruled out asperger's, I decided on some sort of PTSD due to the childhood trauma which was alluded to. After making that decision I was able to enjoy the rest of the book a lot more.
I guessed quite early on that the conversations with 'Mummy' were imaginary, probably due to Honeyman being very careful not to talk about the means of communication, ie. the phone never 'rang', the conversations just happened and it seemed to me that she (the author) was being overtly careful to avoid mention of any mobile/landline.
Once I was over what I know to be my own issues with the narrative, I found myself enjoying the characters a lot more and I would definitely read a sequel.

[Sarah]

Thanks for the review Paul, it is great. As mentioned previously, I read this book quite a while ago, and remember how enthralling it was then. I think I must be the only one who did not catch on that 'Mummy' was imaginary, only realised when it was uncovered at the end. I agree with you, I too would definitely read a sequel. Have you started reading 'All The Light We Cannot See'?
Sarah x

[Paul]

Thanks Sarah. Helen has it at the moment, I'm going to start on The Miniaturist.

[Shirley]

Thanks Paul, so glad you stuck it out after your uncertainty at the beginning. It is a very touching book in the end showing how small acts of kindness can go a long way. Is there going to be a sequel then?