Eleanor Oliphant Is Completely Fine by Gail Honeyman

Penguin Publishing Group | May 2017 | 336 pgs

Source: Library

Eleanor Oliphant is an unusual woman. Living alone and with no friends, one would've thought her life must be terribly miserable and lonely. On the contrary, Eleanor doesn't really care what others think of her and is rather contented with her simple, routine life. Not a natural with social skills and sweet talking, she is often brushed off as being odd by her co-workers and even if they do talk to her their intentions are usually insincere or with motives. Eleanor has a crush on a musician named Johnnie Lomond and she often envision them being as a couple one day. It is a wishful thinking on her part, but he keeps her motivated in some way. 

Then her life takes a turn after she's met Raymond Gibbons. Raymond works in the same company as Eleanor although they are from different department. Eleanor knew Raymond because she needs his help with fixing her office computer; and being a new employee and a conversationalist at heart, Raymond will try to get into conversations with Eleanor whenever he sees her. Eleanor isn't interested in forming a friendship with Raymond initially, but both of them saw an elderly man fell and hurt his head on their way out of the office at the same time one day. While Eleanor isn't the one who accompanied Sammy into the ambulance, she couldn't help thinking of his condition and when Raymond suggest they visit Sammy together after work she knew she has no reason to turn him down. That one visit lead to another visit, and in no time Eleanor finds herself quite familiarise with Sammy and even Raymond. In the subsequent events, Eleanor changes bit by bit the more she's out with Raymond and interact with others. And towards the end, the reader will discover more of Eleanor and what makes her live in her own world and how she comes out from that abyss of loneliness and self-blame. 

I've to say Eleanor Oliphant Is Completely Fine is more than a fine book; it is a moving, uplifting book filled with heart and courage. She is an intriguing character but not one who finds approachable at first sight; she is aloof and it took me some time to warm up to her but I liked her for her guilelessness and her genuine self. This is a heartwarming story that made me laugh, cry and be inspired by Eleanor's courage and determination for walking out of her abyss and be someone different. This book is Gail Honeyman's debut and was shortlisted for the Lucy Cavendish College Fiction Prize. I'll be sure to follow her next release. 

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