Member Reviews

Eleanor’s life is one of habit. She goes to work, goes to her local grocery story after to get her favorite drink and food and does it all over again the next day. And every Wednesday, she talks to her mom. She doesn’t have a need for more people, most of them are silly anyway. But when a up and coming rock star and an unexpectedly helping a stranger, she starts to realize that she might need people after all.
Eleanor is a reminder to us all not to listen to the negative voices in our head and that there is good in humanity

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If you're hoping for another Where'd You Go, Bernadette?, Eleanor Oliphant isn't it. It is, however, just as awkward, funny, and painful in its own right. Eleanor is a complex woman who has absolutely no idea just how strange is her life. The road to enlightenment isn't an easy one for Eleanor--or her reader--but it is well worth the trip.

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Quirky, anti-social Eleanor Oliphant is pretty comfortable with her job in accounts receivable and enjoys drinking her way through her weekends with a bottle of Chianti and a couple of bottles of vodka, staying neither drunk nor sober.

Then one evening while attending a concert she'd won in a raffle, Fate's Fickled Finger points her to "the one" singing onstage.

From then on Eleanor's life begins to change - everything is done with HIM in mind, the only problem being he doesn't know SHE exists. No matter, Eleanor sets about to win him over.

With this myopic outlook Eleanor completely fails to see the route her life is actually taking.

This is a story of awakening and healing; a journey from self-loathing to self-discovery. If you're a fan of funny, uplifting stories, you're bound to fall in love with Eleanor Oliphant! #NetGalley

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Another one I'd heard wonderful things about-- my mom even recommended it to me. However, I just couldn't get into Eleanor's characterization. She's extremely judgmental, and while my mom would say, "so are you!", it grated on me. Maybe it's *too much* of a mirror text, and I found the close scrutiny too harsh.

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Not the story I was expecting but a story I enjoyed. Don’t read too much about the plot. I especially loved the slow developing friendship at the center that grounded the book in reality.

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Eleanor Oliphant lives alone with her plant. She works in an office, and her life is mundane, and lonely. And she has a secret. When she falls for a singer in a band her life begins to change. As the story and the mystery of her life unfold, the book becomes impossible to put down. Recommend highly.

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I was not prepared for this book. It was completely different than I expected, in a good way. Eleanor was such a likeable character. I felt like I was on this transformational journey with her. This book was hilarious, quirky, sad and heartbreaking at the same time. Would definitely recommend to anyone in a reading slump. Love, love, loved it.

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I enjoyed the book until the ending. It was confusing. I had several theories about the end, and eliminated the actual ending based on how some of the conversations went. So that was frustrating. Aside from that, I did enjoy the book and I am looking forward to the movie. I enjoyed the characters' development throughout the book the most. It's a good read alike for Ginny Moon by Benjamin Ludwig.

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I loved this book. Elinor was a wonderfully quirky character who you couldn’t help rooting for. in spite of her avoidance of any kind of social life and interaction. She seems content with her ascetic life until she meets Raymond who is also different. together they meet and help Sammy and form a threesome. This new friendship in her life helps Elinor back into the real world. I was not totally surprised at the twist in the story. Elinor is a compelling character. I was very happy to see her get a happy ending and a new beginning.

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This book took me SO many tries to start and finish. I honestly really loved the last 30% and would give it all the stars. But the first 70% I was really so meh on. The only reason I stuck with it was because everyone under the sun told me it was worth it. I’m glad I finally finished it, but can’t give a book that I only really loved at 70% more than three stars, but I will say, Eleanor is quite a memorable character that will stay with me for some time.

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Oh, Eleanor! How very fine you are! Eleanor is a hot mess, much like the rest of us sometimes. Her life is an organized shambles. She has no friends, she gets by on a pizza and exactly a half bottle of vodka.
One day she takes a chance on friendship and everything starts falling apart or into place depending on how you look at it. Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine is a delightful book with completely likeable characters who make cringe-worthy choices at times. The ending is a little shocking . . . . but it totally fits with the book, and it gives the reader pause to think and hope.

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I am at a bit of a loss on how to describe this book, which itself is a testament to its originality…part Cinderella story, part horror story, and part love story. Eleanor is a 30 year old functional alcoholic and trauma survivor whose odd and sheltered childhood has prevented her from learning social skills and norms in a way reminiscent of a person with Asperger’s. Eleanor is content to plow her way through her tedious workdays and drink her way through empty weekends until she makes the acquaintance of a colleague, an IT worker named Raymond. Their emergent friendship is a framework for Eleanor’s social, physical, and emotional evolution, all the while pushing the narrative toward a denouement of Eleanor’s traumatic past. Overall, an enjoyable and thought provoking novel.

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Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine is a lovely example of 21st century women's fiction. I enjoyed getting to know Eleanor through her eyes, and learning things about her tragic life alongside her. The interactions she has with other characters are riveting and will keep readers fascinated throughout the book.

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I am so glad that I was given the opportunity to read this book. Eleanor Oliphant was such a gem. Her character is socially awkward and very blunt but she is also a character that I fell in love with. Her past and how she dealt with it brought tears and joy. I would highly recommend this book the the patrons at the library where I work

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Well written, strong protagonist, uplifting story of a quirky woman who overcomes childhood tragedy to find her place in the world..

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This was definitely not the light fluff I was looking for in a summer read, but I really enjoyed it. It’s a touching story of a person’s strength in the face of such terrible tragedy.

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Do you ever want to read a book, but never seem to pick it up? I have had this book, Eleanor the Oliphant is Completely Fine, for over a year and have it both as an advance reader and an audiobook. Finally, as a book club selection, I ventured to start. At first it starts slow, but the characters begin to warm up with their dry English humor and Eleanor's concise personality. Even though you are listening to Eleanor's simple accounts to her simple life, the author sneaks in slight hints as to her past. Eventually the story unfolds and I found myself relating to her views of the world, understanding why she thinks her way, and grow to love her courage in pacing her past and moving on. I know you will love her as much as I do.

Thank you Netgalley for allowing me to read this wonderfully written novel that brought smiles to my face and tears to my eyes.

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Eleanor Oliphant is hard to describe as a character and as a book. Both are offbeat and quirky. Part mystery, part chick lit and all parts delightful. I loved this book and highly recommend.

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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
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Pages: 336
Publisher: Penguin Publishing Group
Publication Date: 5/9/2017
Buy it Here!

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Eleanor Oliphant is an oddball. Quiet, unassuming, socially awkward. She moves through the world alone, but she’s perfectly fine! She he is either unnoticed or mocked, until the office IT man befriends her. Honeyman Eleanor’s lonely world to life with compassion and shows the power of kindness.

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