Although I was struck by the skill of the writing from the outset, I must confess to finding the first third of this pretty slow going and I wondered if maybe this book wasn't for me. I am so, so glad that I persevered. Eleanor is a singular creation and she lives and breathes within the pages. Her journey is remarkable and I felt privileged to have been on it with her, What an astonishing and memorable debut - I'll be buying it for everyone!

Hi, and thanks so much for the opportunity to read this book. I've heard so much about it, from so many friends and students, all of whom love it. Unfortunately, and completely unexpectedly, I'm one of the majority with whom it just didn't click. This has nothing at all to do with the quality of the writing: some books just don't grab me, and I couldn't get interested in what was going to happen to Eleanor. This is so hard to express in star ratings, but luckily the overwhelming majority of those who love the book will allow me to give a very personalised three star without running any risk of affecting the overall outcome :)

Eleanor Oliphant may be Completely Fine, but I’m not sure that I am after reading this book! This is a pretty short review considering how many feelings this book stirred up, but I can’t put many of them into words.

Eleanor is an eccentric woman who is trying her best to forge a life despite having a truly horrific childhood, she has no guidelines on how to have relationships with others so she keeps herself to herself and hopes she doesn’t die of the loneliness.

More than anything else, Eleanor is sensible. She’s clever, logical and very damaged by her past but thanks to recent events, she’s being forced to confront her loneliness and become part of the world or die trying. Her character’s voice is distinctive and unintentionally witty, she sees the world in a different way to everyone else and is an unreliable narrator at times because of this – but most of all, she’s totally lovable.

She’s befriended by Raymond, a man who doesn’t mind that she’s eccentric and standoffish. He’s befriended her and there’s not much she can do about it now… Raymond is defined by the kindness he shows everyone, he doesn’t see Eleanor as a project, just somebody who needs kindness. He doesn’t try to change her.

The writing of this book is so raw, combining humour with the truly awful, that I had to take a few breaks to catch my breath. It’s uplifting for the most part and thankfully has a positive ending (Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine, after all!) but getting there is harrowing.

I also enjoyed that the book was set in Scotland, it wasn't mentioned much in the book but you could pick up on the speech patterns of some of the characters and though it's not a big deal - it's something I really loved.

It’s not a book to lift your spirits if you suffer from depression, but it’s a book that reminds you that other people feel the same way.

Prepare. To. Cry.

Loved this book. I was stupidly initially put off by the title and I only read it because a friend said it was good! This book gripped me from the start, instantly wanting to know why she had seemingly been attacked and the continuous hints at a darker past. I got a little impatient at her relationships with men but I guess they were understandable. I really took to her IT guy and could imagine exactly what he was like and the Counsellor! I enjoyed it so much that I have recommended it for my Book Group. Thank you.

I only got to about 30 percent and I gave up. I really could not connect with the character and found her to be annoying

A wonderful book which explores loneliness, trauma, and depression through a painfully realistic portrayal of a reclusive woman. Eleanor's blunt and puzzled interactions with other people had me by turns laughing, cringing, and crying. I was willing Eleanor on as she faces up to her traumatic past and, through experiencing little acts of kindness, gradually begins to engage with society. Such an important book which makes the case for empathy and reaching out to embrace those who need help and understanding.

Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine took me on a emotional journey, through joy, hope, sadness and despair. The writing is gorgeous and highly readable, and the story is sensitive and compassionate. This is the type of book that I will read again, to savour the descriptions and the dialogue.

Eleanor is socially awkward and full of innocence with a simple, and very black-and-white, view of life, people and the world around her. It took me a little while to get inside her head, but then I couldn't let go. I fell in love with her character's quirky nature and sharp observations, and then with the book itself.

Though the book isn't a crime novel or a psychological thriller, there's still an element of mystery within its pages. Eleanor can't remember something about her past, having locked it away in a corner of her mind, somewhere safe where it can't hurt her. So underneath all that naivety, some dark shadowy secrets are desperate to come out, and over time Eleanor realises that maybe she's not completely fine after all.

This is a book about loneliness, love and laughter. About feeling different, overcoming obstacles and finding somewhere you belong. And about how simple acts of kindness can have a powerful impact on people's lives - those who perform them and those who receive them.

Highly recommended.

I love Eleanor Oliphant I absolutely love her. What a woman, what a hoot. This book made me snort with laughter and cry heartfelt tears, I'm actually finding it hard to describe the emotions I felt reading this. It's such a sad story but the way Eleanor deals with life is admirable she's amazing. Her description of people made me laugh out loud and I especially loved Raymond also. A real, if slightly unkempt gent. The little twist shocked me it was totally unexpected. This is the most beautifully, funny, heartwarming book I've read in a long time. A book I could read over and over. Eleanor is such a character and she really is the baby phoenix rising from the ashes

I loved this book, and the main character was so well written that it felt like watching a film. Thoroughly enjoyable, and I lost sleep reading just a little more than I should more than once as I wanted to find out what would happen next!

Absolutely loved this book. Made me laugh and cry, and even though I didn't want it to end, I was very happy with the ending, . Wonderful to see Eleanor's personality evolve, and I am rather smitten with the lovely Raymond.

I have been meaning to enjoy this for a while and finally got around to reading it. Eleanor Oliphant, the narrator and protagonist, recounts the story of her dysfunctional life, from a traumatic and life-changing childhood event, through to her adult life, as an outcast, an alcoholic and someone with a far from conventional mind.

Throughout, I admired Gail Honeyman’s skill at adopting a different voice, a voice of someone unfamiliar with the modern world, but also someone deeply disturbed by her life’s events. The surprising twist towards the end makes sense and draws together many loose ends.

Having said this, parts of the novel are implausible - someone who holds down a responsible job in an office and completes the Daily Telegraph crossword is likely to have heard of Zumba (and not think it’s a person) - and there are some other incongruous parts which interfere with the voice that Honeyman has created.

All in all, Eleanor deserves more and gets there in the end. This is an extremely popular book and, to an extent, I can see why.

This book was recommended by a friend and it was worth the recommendation. Once I got into the story I couldn't put the book down and was sad to get to the end. A fantastic read.

This book was completely different to most books I read. The protagonist was one that you don't see in many books. She was weird, and different and socially awkward. And she decides she is going to date one guy. Except life doesn't turn out that way. This book was funny but sad in equal measures. Definitely a must read.

Funny, dark but strangely uplifting - Eleanor Oliphant is a wonderful tale of finding a friend and the true power of friendship. Not for the light-hearted, this novel will keep you wanting more.

A wonderful book that balances sad/funny in a great way and never leaves me feeling emotionally manipulated. Its is about a socially-inept twenty-nine year-old woman and her attempts to be more social with lots of funny moments. With memorable characters and great writing this is a story I would highly recommend.

I’m just going to join the crowd on this as I loved, loved loved it! I find it to be incredibly touching and insightful in the way it dealt with loneliness and the people who can often be ostracised. I thought the lead character was engaging and hilarious and I think she was really relatable. Loved it and have already recommend it to friends.

Reviewed on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QHFfzSD-eb8&t=1s

Eleanor Oliphant is a wonderful character. She is funny and strange, likeable and a bit anti social but always interesting. This book describes a young woman's life descending into chaos and rising again with the help of newly found friends. It's a very well told story which is emotional and uplifting. I'd love to read more like this and can't recommend it enough.

Where do I begin? This book is incredible, I have fallen in love with Eleanor Oliphant and her friends. This book had me laughing, crying, smiling throughout. Would recommend 100%.