Eleanor Oliphant Is Completely Fine discussion

Hi Ladies, sorry I haven't been up-to-date with this in a while, between family life, work and Uni I've been up to my eyes. I started this book club as reading is one of the things that helps ease my stress and anxiety and I hoped it would help ease others worries and stresses of life. So today I'm going to get stuck back into the book and try finish it. I'm really enjoying the story so far, it really shows how hard it is for a person to connect emotionally with anyone when they've been through so many challenges in their life. Real eye opener. I hope you're all enjoying the book

I read this book a couple of months ago and loved it! If you have ever gone through a very lonely and depressed phase in your life, you can totally relate to Eleanor. I felt exactly the same way as her back in college and I could relate to her character very well. Superb read. And I loved the character of Raymond!

I've also read the book and can tell you, in full confidence, that it is absolutely incredible. Eleanor's character development and the relationship she develops with Raymond is among one of my favorites. I hope you enjoy it as much as I have!

I just finished this book and I think I am going to find myself in the same spot as you! I am ready to read it again!

Wow just finished oh my God I love this book so much. Eleanors character blew me away, I loved how much she developed over time. Its a real eye opener to each person who may suffer loneliness at some point in their life. It gets hope to many that not all is lost even when it seems that way.

Great book!
Very real character assessment in Eleanor’s persona.
Glad there was a happy ending, nobody deserves to be alone.

I've read this book and I absolutely loved it. Eleanor is an amazingly relatable character from which I learnt a lot. I loved the fact that it was easy to create a conversation with her on your mind and understand her perfectly. I also fell in love with how authentically funny her character was nevertheless some times her naiveness made me sad

I loved this book and Eleanor was surrounded by some really good people that cared about her even though she didn't always realize it. For me, this was a happy, hopeful book and I liked the way it ended...with Eleanor's future looking bright.

I loved this book as well and raced off to read whatever else the author had written. But we'll all have to wait. I even blogged about it:

http://www.paulajohnson.com/gail-hone...

I liked it a lot!

At first, I was bored with it. By Chapter 6, I finally started to get interested. But honestly, I never found any part of it funny. Eleanor reminds me of the androgynous character in Showtime's series, Billions. Eleanor exists. She really isn't living. And little by little you realize this poor woman had a severe emotional trauma. I found the book sad and Eleanor quirky; but appreciated the ending.

Love this book. My #1 of 2019 so far.

Try the audio version. It is excellent and adds great voice to the characters, including some Scottish accents!

Fun! Thanks! I just may do that :)

This was a surprise and different kind of read for me. I finished it - nearly couldn't put it down because you feel for Eleanor. Reminds you that healing/emerging can be slow. It is an individual thing. Have patience and compassion for yourself and others.

Loved this book, laughed and a serious cry. At times it was brutal yet I could not leave Eleanor for long. She was compelling.
Also listened to the audio which is excellent, adds even more character connection.
Of course those of us who have struggled with periods of isolation or loneliness will be painfully reminded.

I loved this book. Eleanor is completely "out of this world", and yet adorable. She's just brave enough to do and say things as she pleases in spite of all. Great reading!

I loved it too. I have a thing for first novels. Can't wait to see what she comes up with next.

Kate wrote: "At first, I was bored with it. By Chapter 6, I finally started to get interested. But honestly, I never found any part of it funny. Eleanor reminds me of the androgynous character in Showtime's ser..."

Kate, I completely agree with you on your comment re:Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine book. I didn't become hooked until about the same chapters (6/7) But, it was well worth finishing!

Did anyone else not see Autism in Eleanor? or rather Aspergers?
That's what I attributed her quirky personality to.

Leanne wrote: "Did anyone else not see Autism in Eleanor? or rather Aspergers?
That's what I attributed her quirky personality to."

Leanne: No. I read the entire book and her character's personality is pretty clear, to me at least, in the end.

I've read it once last year, rereading it right now because I freaking adore this book, it's probably one of my top ten books I've ever read right now.

I certainly finished the book, I was surprised that I did but found it sucked me in and I just had to continue reading. I haven't actual read that much fiction to date but this book is both sad and funny. I actually believe that everyone can learn some important about aspects of life, people and personalities from this book.

Yes, I finished it and thoroughly enjoyed it.

I finished it really quickly; I thought the main character's progression and development was very well done. Whilst she is initially very unlikable, you can't help but love her by the end.

I like this book a lot. It's an easy read with lovable characters. Eleanor because she is so funny and being socially awkward she does bring in a hilarious viewpoint to socializing. Raymond is just so lovable because of his warmth and kindness. The book touches upon certain important issues of today like loneliness and the antidote to it: human connection. I liked certain references like that of a capsule wardrobe, the presence of a cat in her life to help her loneliness(I felt like getting a cat myself to just feel her soft fur), eat kale and pumpkin seeds for zinc, the potted plant Polly that has been with her since childhood. In a way, the plant and the cat help her to get out of the bed every day even when she doesn't feel like it. Eleanor's realization that family/friends stand by you no matter what, when Raymond helps her out and how human touch can miraculously help us feel better when we are low, was terrific. Overall a great weekend read.

Yes I finished this book and it has become one of my favourites.

Yeah, I have a little of Eleanor in my own personality, rs

Ohhh, this book is so sad!!!!
Spoiler Alert, if you have not finished.
It’s kind of insane how she still talked to her mom, that threw me off a little. She must have been very traumatized. She was abused, by her mother, right? Yea, I think so. It’s very good. S. A. D. Though.

I picked this up after seeing it every time I walked into my local bookstore! I will admit, I did not enjoy the book at first and was quite frustrated at the beginning but thank god I kept reading because the book slowly managed to become one of my favourite reads of the year!

Mei wrote: "I picked this up after seeing it every time I walked into my local bookstore! I will admit, I did not enjoy the book at first and was quite frustrated at the beginning but thank god I kept reading ..."

Same. I remember being so frustrated and nearly quitting but then I managed to push through and I am so glad that I did. It's now one of my absolutely favourite books.

I loved it! One of my favorites.

this book is one of my favorite books of this year,the character is brilliantly portrayed in words and so relatable. since i finished this book, there is a yearning to find another book with similar character but no luck so far.

I, too, enjoyed the book. It's very rare to find books that describe loneliness as well as kindness and empathy with such brilliance.

I finished the book and I found it so refreshing. The ending is a surprise but ties it all up.

Finished the book, but didn’t find it funny. More sad, and melancholy. Didn’t particularly love the character or believe in her, (and kept reading Eleanor Oliphant as Elephant throughout the book),

I'm not sure whether we are supposed to believe in the character as a real person. I felt she was a kaleidoscope of lots of people I have come into contact with and it got me thinking of how we all get like how we are.

I loved this book, at the time I was working in mental health recovery and noticed some of the OCD traits, could understand the anxiety and really loved the way she addressed her problems during the course of the book. Had some real laugh out loud moments especially after I tidied the staff kitchen at work, sat down to read a chapter during my break and she was doing just that.... lol

I really enjoyed reading this book and following Eleanor's journey as she believes she is completely fine, then realises she is not, and finally as she works through fixing the issues in her life.

It is a touching and eloquent story and although I found it hard to relate to Eleanor, I could not help but like her and want her to do well.

I think the use of rather high brow words and phrasing suited the main character perfectly.

I loved the story, the characters, the language and the flow of the book. I would recommend it also.

Really enjoyed this book. I didn't warm to Eleanor straight away, if anything I disliked her initially. However, I gradually came around to her quirky, funny personality traits and her outlook on life. I loved the build-up of her and Raymond's relationship - so refreshing from other stories where boy meets girl on page one, and that's all we read about for the rest of the book! The book explored a number of complex issues. Cliche, but I laughed and cried at this book, sometimes within the same chapter. It may take a while to get into the swing of it, but it's 100% worth sticking with.

Did I finish this book?? Yes, in a matter of days!! I was hooked. Persevere if you are struggling with it, you won't be disappointed.

I love this book. It is in my favourites. I already can't wait to read it again :)

Read for the second time and just want to read it again!

Yes I loveed so much, I also have issues connecting with people and the struggle is real

I did! It's really an amazing read.

I finished the book and will read it again and recommend it to others.

A wonderful read! Eleanor is a well-developed character who we can all relate to. I definitely could and rooted for her to develop. I knew she could!

I completely agree. I couldn't really find the funny parts funny, because they were in the context of her very sad life. I'm thankful that things are looking a little brighter for her by the end of the book.

I really enjoyed this one, I love an unreliable narrator! I can't wait to see the film version of this when it comes out.

Hadn't heard there was going to be a film. Looking forward to that