Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine Review: A Quirky Story of Loneliness and Healing

Eleanor Oliphant Is Completely Fine by Gail Honeyman is a contemporary slice-of-life novel set in Glasgow, Scotland. Bought this upon a friend’s recommendation, and I must say – it’s a beautiful story. It’s something light and funny, but it’s also the kind of story that grows heavy on your chest as you flip through the pages.

From the very beginning, I found myself smiling at Eleanor’s practicality and blunt thoughts. At the same time, the story is unsettling as well. It’s a quirky story of loneliness and healing. It warmed my heart, while making me slightly uncomfortable and fully invested.

My Rating

❤️❤️❤️❤️🤍

A quirky story of loneliness and healing.

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What is Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine About?

The book is about thirty-year-old Eleanor Oliphant – a socially awkward woman whose life runs on rigid routine. Work on weekdays and drown in vodka during weekends. Plus, phone calls with her cruel “Mummy.” She keeps to herself and believes she is completely fine. It’s set in Glasgow and carries the everyday, slice of Eleanor’s life.

One day, she befriends Raymond, the IT guy at the design agency where she’s working. Along with the interactions with an elderly man named Sammy (whom they help when he collapses in the street) Eleanor begins to change. She gradually confronts her loneliness, her childhood trauma, and the possibility of healing. The story is cute, awkward and unexpectedly heavy.

What Works?

Told entirely from Eleanor’s perspective, the story is filled with deadpan humour. She’s both endearing and frustrating, and an unforgettable character. She’s emotionally detached, with silly observations and intrusive thoughts about everyone and everything around her.

Honestly, I so related to Eleanor. Humans are definitely weird, and socialising is awkward. And the book captures that awkwardness so well. Eleanor’s formal way of speaking makes even mundane situations funny. Her interactions with Raymond and Sammy were quite heartwarming, and I may have shed a tear or two.

The story keeps shifting between laugh-out-loud moments and heartbreaking revelations about Eleanor’s childhood trauma. And her personality transformation (with some help from Laura) was really satisfying. It was charming to see how she grew out to be more than fine.

The book was mostly feel-good, but it did feel soul-crushing at times. It made you feel Eleanor’s loneliness and pain. The good thing is that Gail gave this story a beautiful ending.

What Falls Short?

There’s little to complain about the Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine book. Although some parts (especially during her breakdown and healing process) felt a bit stretched, it didn’t affect my overall reading experience much. The constant shifts from humour to darker trauma and back might feel disorienting at first, but I feel that they represented Eleanor’s feelings as a lonely person well. Gail did a good job writing Eleanor Oliphant.

Is Eleanor Oliphant Completely Fine Worth Reading?

Yes. If you enjoy contemporary literary fiction (more so with a female protagonist), you might love this one. The book has the same vibes as A Man Called Ove, The Rosie Project, or Oh William! Quirky characters, you know. Eleanor’s toxic relationship with her mom also reminded me of the I'm Glad My Mom Died book.

Final Thoughts

If you’re looking for stories with mental health themes and emotional healing, Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine is for you. It’s about loneliness, trauma and the sweet power of friendship. Even though the story is heavy, the blend of humour keeps it light. It begins funny and ends on a hopeful note. It’s really unforgettable.

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