What a wonderful book - everyone, EVERYONE must read this novel!

I fell in love with Eleanor as soon as I began reading, she has such a distinctive voice and a unique attitude to life that leaves you inspired, amused and intrigued. This very quickly becomes a story of love and friendship, or tragedy and abuse. I couldn't stop reading, chapter after chapter I just kept going. I was enthralled by the characters and a back story that slowly and horrifically reveals itself.

Heart warming, gut wrenching and just completely brilliant. There are so many important messages in this book and so I do urge everybody to read it.

This is one of those books you hear so much about that you wonder if it’s going to live up to expectations. Well for me it certainly did. I’m writing this review a few weeks after reading the book but it’s stayed with me as I’m sure it will for a long time. It’s very funny in places, heartbreaking in others. I’ve already bought it for others and would have no hesitation in recommending it to anyone who likes character-based literary stories

Thank you for allowing me to read and review this book. I loved Eleanor once I got into this and wondered how her life could change but along came Raymond and very slowly she did. It was not all good though as coming to terms with bits from her past was very hard for her. Could she tell Raymond and what would he think. Very thought provoking story very well written by Gail.

*I received a free review copy of this novel via NetGalley. The decision to review and my opinions are my own.*

Oh Eleanor…you’re not fine at all. But that’s ok.

Having read this beautiful, bitter-sweet book, I’m not too sure I’m fine either – I feel I have been turned inside out and emotionally wrung out like a soft tea towel!

This is one of those books that stand alone and stand out. That you remember long, long after you put it down. That you recommend to friends and family. That you refer back to during book-related conversations.

It has everything: humour, sadness, anxiety and fear, anger (all the feels); endearing characters; fascinating, well-paced plot with slow-building reveals; and is so well-written that I swore I could hear Eleanor’s voice as clearly as she heard her Mummy’s.

Eleanor herself is a marvel. Strong, but fragile. Clear and direct with a naive lack of awareness of, and complete disregard for, social mores and popular culture. Honest but with a richly deceptive internal fantasy life (which reminded me at times of Ally McBeal’s visual musings). I have seen discussions about whether or not the character can be diagnosed with a ‘spectrum’ disorder (based on the presentation of symptomatic behaviours and thought processes versus the possibility for change and improvement). To me, it didn’t really matter. She was just who she was, and the reader got a direct insight into a unique and fascinating point of view.

I have no criticisms here. I want to pick the book straight back up and read it again! Even the ending is perfect…hopeful without over-sugaring. I recommend this one to book clubs and readers who enjoy good books. Eleanor Oliphant is completely wonderful.


But, by careful observation from the sidelines, I’d worked out that social success is often built on pretending just a little. Popular people sometimes have to laugh at things they don’t find very funny, do things they don’t particularly want to, with people whose company they don’t particularly enjoy. Not me. I had decided, years ago, that if the choice was between that or flying solo, then I’d fly solo. It was safer that way.

– Gail Honeyman, Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine

(Review by Steph Warren of Bookshine and Readbows blog)

I had heard lots of good things about this book and was excited to read it, but honestly I found it slightly disappointing. I was caught up in the book very quickly and I found myself wanting to keep reading, rooting for Eleanor, wanting to know how things would turn out, so on level it was a very enjoyable read.
Afterwards as I reflected on the story though, I realised that I just didn't find the character of Eleanor believable. For someone who is obviously intelligent and well-read the ignorance about everyday things such as orange juice with bits and laptops and tablets just didn't seem to fit.
The "twist" in the book came as no surprise at all and I was left feeling that I wanted to know more about the events of Eleanor's childhood- that part of the story felt incomplete.
As I said, I enjoyed the book, but I felt the inconsistencies in character put me off.

There is something special about this book. Its different, but in the BEST way possible.

Eleanor is different to most people, she keeps herself to herself and has her own opinions about life in general. The best thing about this book is that you can see life in her eyes.

It isn't a fast book by any means but this isn't a bad thing. You just want to read and read and read. I found myself thinking about this book a lot whilst I wasn't reading. I just wanted to know more. More about Eleanor's way of thinking. Its so refreshing to read something different to the norm and I can 100% see why this is winning so many awards.

She is blunt, and honest and sees the world in a way which is refreshing to read. She made me laugh and then the book made me sad. Heartbreaking to read how low a person can get. We all get bad thoughts but it was heartbreaking to read and I cried on more than one occasion.

Its ok though, I laughed a lot more than cried. Just to put this into perspective, I sat in Costa emerged in the life of Eleanor and the other characters in the book, Raymond, Sammy and more and I laughed out loud more than once. I forgot my surroundings. It was quite the experience and if you haven't read it then head to a public place and let people witness the magic of such a book - it doesn't happen often all too many people are with their phones forgetting that books contain just the thing they need.

So there we have it, my first 5 star review of the year for me. I want more, I could read about Eleanor for a long time!

I can't recommend this book. You will love it, end of. It lives up to the hype and more and you will finish it in love with Eleanor. You just have to read the comments on Goodreads to see this.

Thanks so much to Netgalley for granting my wish and sending me a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Wow!! What a brilliant read. I struggled at the beginning to see where the story was going, but I'm so pleased I kept with it. There's a very surprised twist and an unpredictable ending. Would highly recommend a read.

The first 50 pages or more was really hard to go through but once I did it I loved the reading. Eleanor lives a very ordinary (~boring~) life. She goes to work five days a week, she eats pizza and drink vodka on weekends, so far everything sounds absolutely fine (like the title sugests). Well, as the book goes by we can clearly read that something is not right and chapter by chapter we understand why and what happened on Eleanor's past that made her lact weird around people. I really enjoied the reading and the author's writing. About the ending, what was that? I'm still in shock! Anyway, I can't wait to read more books from this author, she deserves all the success in the world.

This novel takes its reader through every emotion. You’ll laugh; you’ll cry. You’ll find it heart-warming and heart-wrenching. It’s devastating, thought-provoking, disturbing, uplifting and in a nutshell, it’s simply a stunning, captivating, beautifully crafted story that I adored. Can I give it 6 stars?

Many thanks to Netgalley for a copy of this ARC for which I have given my voluntary and unbiased review.

As it turns out Eleanor Oliphant is as far from ‘completely fine’. Eleanor ‘s back story is revealed gradually and you really feel the impact of her low and high moments. It has quite a lot of humour but also much sadness reading about her lonely life. Excellent book

Eleanor Oliphant is funny, though she doesn't know it. She made me laugh! Eleanor Oliphant, the story, is so touching. I wanted to give Eleanor a hug. Loneliness is a hard thing to bare and sometimes hard to admit. A good read I would recommend this book.

With all the hype surrounding Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine, I was looking forward to giving the book a go and was lucky enough to receive an ebook copy from NetGalley for review. Unfortunately, as is often the case with hyped books, I did not get as much out of it as I was hoping to. This mostly comes down to the kind of books I do enjoy, ones where there is plenty occurring. Simply put, not much happens in this novel. It is mostly an exploration of the main character, Eleanor, as she starts to break out of her comfort zone, try out new experiences and, ultimately, come to grips with her past. There is no denying that this is a well-written and thought out book, with Eleanor having a beautifully strong voice that is consistent throughout the whole novel. I can see why some people love this book, unfortunately it was just not for me.

A wonderful,m easy-going read. Predictable but still addictive which proves the author is obviously very talented.

This was such a funny delightful sad read. I really did feel for Eleanor, such a sweet innocent person, on so many levels. She was taken advantage of in many ways. I felt like I was going through her therapy with her, and learning about life, and social interaction. If this is the first book, I for one cannot wait to read more. already recommended it after the first couple of chapters, it made me laugh out load, and that doesn't happen a lot with reading,

I gave this a 6/10 or 3 stars. I'd heard so many good things about this story and seen so much hype, that I was expecting big things from it. However, for me it just didn't quite deliver all that I was hoping for.

I love quirky reads and this certainly fits that bill nicely. I felt that I engaged with Eleanor and she had her ways, she was blunt and to the point. Socially, she had a few flaws and she's not alone in this at all, she didn't see the need to conform.

If I'm honest I found some of the story quite predictable in parts, particularly regarding Eleanor's past.

I did enjoy the writing style and I will look our for more books by this Author. I feel that this would make a great reading group read, with lots of topics that can be discussed.

My thanks to the publishers via NetGalley for the opportunity to read this book in exchange for an honest review.

I really enjoyed this book, and can see why it's received so many accolades. Eleanor Oliphant is a young woman who lives alone. We learn early on that she spent a lot of time in foster and care homes, and she clearly has big issues forming any kind of relationship. Then an accident sets off a chain of events that sees Eleanor begin to blossom and confront the horrors of her past. The story is sad, funny and ultimately uplifting. Thanks to NetGalley for a preview copy.
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I've heard a lot about this book so was very determined to read it at the beginning of 2018. It does come with a lot of hype and it performed to that hype. Eleanor's character is really interesting and the book drew me in with so much going on. I was lost for words at some moments and others I wanted to comfort Eleanor. It really was a great book and I'd encourage people to read it most definitely!

Eleanor is immediately likeable as a girl who does a boring job, and believes she has a boring life, not needing anyone else. It tells her story of becoming involved with other people, and ultimately leading to caring. Well written and great characterisation

This book was an interesting read. Initially for me it was a hard read. I did not like Miss Eleanor Oliphant one bit. She was pretentious and judged others, I was all but willing to give up until Raymond appeared on the scene and made me stick with it and it was at the point I started to enjoy the book completely. Eleanor starts the book by believing her life is completely fine, that the office bullying was a normal part of living and having no friends was okay. She had a drinking problem she didn't really she had and was falling in love with a singer of a band even though they had never met. She kept having niggling memories that she was blocking out. Suddenly out of no where you see her realisation that her life is not okay and the incidents in her life need addressing. Whilst this is happening she starts to go to social events and ends up very close to Raymond. The book doesn't develop this into a romance even though I was hoping it would. You can't help but realise how deeply troubled Eleanor is at the start and you do end up loving her character more because of it. Her facial disfigurement does not seem to trouble her but she doesn't seem to be a little bothered when people unashamedly stare at it.
Overall I would say to others that this book is a slow burner but to hold on as it is exquisitely written and you eventually come entranced by the characters. I definite fell good book.

Loved this book! So wonderfully endearing and feel good. So deserving of all the praise that's been heaped upon it! Can't wait to see more from Gail Honeyman.