Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine

Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine Review

Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine by Gail Honeyman winded me. I am not sure why – but I certainly was not expecting it to become one of my favourite novels when I picked it up. In the complex where we live, there is a windowsill near the lift that has a few books on it – it is an informal library stocked by the inhabitants of the building and it has yielded some unexpected gems. That windowsill was one of the signs that said: ‘This is a good place to live.’ I picked up this novel from that sill – and the sill of bestsellers blessed me with the winner of the 2017 Costa Debut Novel Award.

Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine is about, well, Eleanor. She leads a simple life – she sticks to the same clothes, food and routines and drinks two bottles of vodka every weekend. She seems to have everything that she needs, but there is a traumatic past that has shaped her current self, and how she perceives the world around her. She meets Raymond, the IT guy from her office who she considers to be weird, and unhygienic. She disapproves of him immensely, especially when she compares him to her dream guy.

This novel is funny, devastating and special. It explores the destructive nature of loneliness, and the healing, restorative power of friendship. It shows us that we can cope on our own, but we really shouldn’t have to. It shows us that life with people who love us is so much better. It’s a quirky novel told from the perspective of Eleanor, who is a little odd, but you will root for her until the very end.

I think the twist involving “Mummy” (no spoilers here) is a little bit unnecessary, and is perhaps the only criticism I have of this novel, but I also understand why it is there.  I wholeheartedly love(d) this one.