Was really looking forward to reading this book and was not disappointed! Really loved Eleanor as a character and loved watching her grown throughout the book. Plus, we all love a good ending.

Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine thank you very much. She has an organised life and doesn't suffer fools gladly. She goes to work everyday, speaks to Mummy every Wednesday, lives frugally and certainly doesn't get involved with her work mates.
Eleanor had opinions she is more than willing to share, no matter how abrupt or rude they may seem. Eleanor had developed a fixation with a local singer and she is determined to make him hers.
Then Eleanor meets Raymond a new IT guy at work. Together they assist an elderly man- Sammy- who has collapsed on the street. Through Raymond and Sammy's family, Eleanor begins to transform.

I absolutely loved this book. I enjoyed walking through Eleanor's life with her and watching her blossom. Obviously she has deep rooted emotional issues and requires help. The author deals with that brilliantly and the way Raymond and Sammy's family guide Eleanor into her new life is heartwarming and tearjerking.
Highly recommended 5*

I knew little about this book and had no idea what to expect from it, but the synopsis appealed. In fact, I completely adored it.

Thirty-year-old Eleanor Oliphant leads a regimented and horrifically empty life, going off to work in accounts every day wearing her Velcro office shoes and “jerkin” (what *is* a jerkin, by the way?), mocked and derided by her fellow workers, surviving the weekends in the company of two bottles of vodka. She has, of course, no friends, and apparently no family other than the unspeakably dreadful “Mummy” to whom she speaks by telephone for fifteen minutes on Wednesdays. She is judgemental and critical of herself and others, and completely lacking in social skills.

Things begin to change when she falls in love from afar and at the same time finds new social vistas opening up, fraught with awkwardness, difficulties but also rewards. I found Eleanor’s visit to her workmate Raymond’s mother to be particularly affecting.

Eleanor could have been a stereotype and played for laughs, but it never feels that way, though an early, ill-judged encounter with a bikini wax was perhaps heading in that direction. But she’s a complex and often admirable character. Her new friend Raymond too is delightful and believable, as are Sammy and his family.

Eleanor has a lovely turn of phrase and many of her observations made me laugh out loud. For instance, about her new cat: “She only really enjoyed her own company. She tolerated mine, but fundamentally she was a recluse at heart, like J.D. Salinger or the Unabomber.”

Eleanor’s past is revealed bit by bit, both to the reader and indeed to her. There are no huge surprises, other than that she is still somehow surviving and functioning - it’s just desperately sad.

I wasn’t quite sure what the Jane Eyre and other literary references added, though they were fun to spot.

Thank you to the publishers and Netgalley for giving me the opportunity to read this. I loved it and can’t wait for Gail Honeyman’s next book.

I really loved this book; it's sad, funny, smart, tender, offbeat and down right entertaining. In some ways, it reminded me of The Rosie Project, but with a darker undertone. I could see a lot of myself in Eleanor (without the horrible history) and her descriptions of the mundanities of everyday life were spot on. I was sometimes left unsettled when reading the book; we are drip fed clues that Eleanor has suffered some horrific trauma, thus resulting in her demeanour and thought processes. Meeting Raymond is a light in the darkness for Eleanor (although she doesn't know it at first) and their platonic relationship is a real highlight of the book. This one will stay with me for a long time.

Wow - this book deserves 10 stars because 5 doesn't seem enough! I absolutely loved this novel, savouring every page from first to last.

Where to start with trying to convey how much I loved this novel? I suppose firstly we need to address main character Eleanor. She's definitely an odd cookie - she certainly doesn't have what society would see as normal social skills, but she doesn't feel like she has anything wrong with her - and good on her really! From bringing a present to a birthday party which consists of a half bottle of spirits and a pack of cheese, to being what many would see as too honest to those around her, Eleanor is unique in every way. She comes across as stand-offish or rude countless times in this novel, but I loved her! The book is a real journey, taking the reader right into Eleanor's life - into her head, more specifically - and seeing the world through her eyes. It's an entertaining, touching and, at times, funny experience which I absolutely loved!

Another great element of Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine is the way Gail Honeyman not only creates other great characters (such as Raymond, or Bill) but doesn't make everything in the novel really obvious. There's so much subtly among the amusing observations from Eleanor.

Though in this novel there is so much humour - often unintended from Eleanor! - there are also some really emotional parts, and at times it made me tear up. I did feel desperately sorry for her at times, and it really made me consider that you don't know what people are going through, or have been through, when you make snap decisions about someone. As Eleanor said to herself, "be kind"- she's a wise one!

This debut by Gail Honeyman is absolutely fantastic and I'd highly recommend it to anyone. It's an emotional, entertaining novel which is bound to draw you in completely, and leaves you not wanting it to end!

After reading a number of recommendations, I was looking forward to this novel. Disappointingly, I struggled with it. It was easy to read, but I found its style hard to connect with. I had difficulty understanding why until I came across an online review which likened it to The Rosie Project, another highly recommended book which I didn't - or couldn't - enjoy.
I think both novels revolve around socially inept, or dysfunctional, individuals. They could have been brilliant, but I was left with a sense of unease, as if I were being invited to laugh at (rather than with) someone who found the modern world a challenge. if the discussions that emerge fro the books help someone understand others a bit more, then I'm pleased. However, my concern is that they reinforce stereotypes of otherness, and encourage us to chuckle at the misfortune of others.

At first, I wasn't really sure what to make of Eleanor Oliphant, I mean the way in which she speaks and thinks is more than a little unusual, but by the end of the book I think that she had a little piece of my heart that will stay Oliphant shaped for quite some time to come.

Eleanor is an incredibly lonely person, she goes to work and drinks too much on the weekends to make the time go faster so that she can go back to work and have something to do. She thinks that her colleagues hate her and spend a lot of their time laughing at her. She has no friends, only her mother who she speaks to on the phone once a week. Which for Eleanor is still too often. Despite all of this, Eleanor thinks that she is happy, she doesn't feel the need for people in her life, she's self-sufficient and happy with that. I have to admit that I really empathised with Eleanor, as an introvert I think that Eleanor and I have more than a few things in common.

When Eleanor meets the man of her dreams she thinks that life is going to be getting a lot better. She starts to pay attention to her appearance and to what she's wearing for the first time, and begins to see and experience things differently. She also finds herself spending time with Raymond, the IT guy from work, he gradually gets Eleanor to open up and they become friends, something new and alien to Eleanor.

When the love of her life turns out to be a lot less perfect that she'd thought, Eleanor plunges into a destructive depression. But with the support of her new friend, and a very supportive boss, Eleanor starts to put her life back together. I couldn't help but cheer her on, and even feel proud of this fictional character whose funny way of speaking and thinking now felt endearing.

As the book goes on the story behind Eleanor and why she is how she is becomes clear, I think that the reader can't help but feel sorry for her, but as the book progresses I felt a sense of respect for Eleanor, that she'd survived so much and yet here she was, coming out the other side.

Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine is a wonderful book that will hopefully make people think about the people that they know, how much they really know about them, and what struggles they might have that you know nothing about. Loneliness is becoming more and more of a problem in our society, and this book is a wonderful example of how dangerous and destructive it can be. With a debut novel this good, Gail Honeyman is definitely an author to watch!

Thank you to the publisher, Harper Collins UK, for a copy of Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine by Gail Honeyman via Netgalley.

I found this book a very unusual, and sometimes rather difficult read. Eleanor isn't in any way a heroine I felt any rapport with, at least, at the start. But as I got into it, and certain issues became apparent, I was more and more fascinated with Eleanor. The twist in the story at the end took me completely by surprise - unusually for me!
All in a really good read.

A sad 😭 but cringe worthy Bridget Jones that also has you laughing out loud. How can a book make you feel uncomfortablely sad about this strange , lonely girl ( because we all
Know one and ignore one perhaps ??) and howl with laughter the next ? It is by far the most orignal book iv read for along time , with some wonderful lines "I feel sorry for beautiful people, beauty from the moment you possess it, is already slipping away." I heard an interview with the author Gail Honeyman on the radio 4
books and authors show (fantastic podcast highly recommend tuning in) the author waited until she was 40 to know more about human nature before beginning her writing career. Personally I don't think she needed to wait, she has a nature talent & I can't wait to see what she produces in the future.

A wonderfully funny, uncomfortable read which I'm sure will be a huge hit and much discussed between friends & bookclubs the country over. 10/10!

My thanks to Netgalley & Harper Collins for approving my request for an advanced copy. And of course Ms Honeyman for writing a future classic.

This book will be dropped into Christmas stockings curtesy of Mrs Karon Santa 🤶🏻 Buxton this year to all my book loving friends.

There is a lot to praise in this story of an eccentric loner who is 'surviving' (if not dealing with) the legacy of some fairly hideous abuse. There are moments in the story which are genuinely heartwarming - it would take a heart of stone not to be moved by Honeyman's description of Eleanor going to get her hair cut for the first time. And while we finally discover the nature of the terrible things which happened to Eleanor which caused her to isolate herself from the world around her, it's dealt with relatively sensitively.

Eleanor has little to no social awareness and a rather pompous, snobbish way of speaking and viewing the world around her. As time goes by, she softens and becomes more likeable, mostly due to the hard work done by Raymond, one of her colleagues who takes an interest in her and take her under his wing. It would have been nice to find a bit more about why this was the case, as I felt it was never fully explained why he suddenly decided to take an interest in a woman that the rest of his office found to be a bit oddball.

The first part of this book is great. But then I felt it all became a bit saccharine, with ends which were too easily tied up. The last section of the book also contains a twist which feels very out of place and doesn't really work harmoniously with the rest of the plot - it feels like it was shoved in there at the publisher's behest to make it more of a best seller rather than something which evolved organically.

Apparently Reese Witherspoon has bought the movie rights to 'Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine' which is totally believable. It's definitely a feel good hit of the summer, even if there was so much sugar in the end of this book that my teeth began to hurt. It's probably going to be huge.

At first I found this book excruciatingly painful to read, Eleanor's personality was hard to read but slowly, slowly I was drawn into her world and then couldn't stop reading.

I can't believe how much i loved this book and Eleanor. I related to her so much and i was with her every step of the way. The more i read the more i loved it and was really surprised it was a debut novel as it was so well written.

Praise for Gail Honeyman. A debut book like no other. This was a powerful novel to read, uplifting and inspiring, just makes you remember that being fine isn't always enough.

Absolutely loved reading this book. It's a bit different from my normal style of book but I loved the style of writing and I could really identify with the conundrums that Eleanor faces - several times I laughed out loud (not good when you're on a packed train).

I had seen various reviews about this book which made me want to read it and I wasn't disappointed. The main character is not naturally likeable but that made you want her to be ok and be liked by everyone. I didn't put it down as wanted to know what happened next and why she was the way she was.
The writer kept you engaged and the story unfolded at the right pace. Would recommend.

Curious and charming. These are the words that I would us to describe the delightful debut by Gail Honeyman.

Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine is the story of (surprisingly) Eleanor Oliphant. A 30-something girl who lives live in a very structured way. She gets up, goes to work, has her lunch, does the crossword, goes home, and sleeps. She repeats this rigmarole with almost robotic precision. But there is something behind the routine and something about Eleanor.

Throughout the novel we see Eleanor open herself up to new possibilities, new friendships and new experiences and whilst all this is happening she is dealing with the ghosts of the past that are haunting her.

To use the word journey seems so corny and trivial but that is exactly what Eleanor Oliphant is on in this book. We, the readers, go along for the ride; we discover just exactly what it was that made Eleanor the way she is alongside her. It isn’t a unique concept in books but it is one that is executed magnificently.

Eleanor Oliphant is a book that even the hardest of hearts would find hard not to enjoy.

Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine by Gail Honeyman is available now.

For more information regarding Harper Collins (@HarperCollinsUK) please visit www.harpercollins.co.uk.

Brilliantly funny and heartbreakingly sad in equal measure, I loved every minute of this book. Utterly readable - Gail Honeyman has created a wonderful character in Eleanor Oliphant. A reminder to all of us to be kinder, and to see beyond first impressions and outward appearances. One of the best books i've read this year.

This is a very funny book with a sad theme running through it. It made me look at everyday things we say and do in a very different way. The two main characters Eleanor and Raymond are so diverse with Eleanor being very withdrawn and not understanding the society she lives in because of her upbringing and Raymond being the older more mature guy who understands the world. The sharp contrasts make this book an easy read. I had guessed the ending but it was well written and new information was slowly introduced to the reader. I would recommend this as a great summer light read and it will make the reader chuckle when relaxing on vacation or in the garden. The idea of Eleanor is however not funny however but a sad thing to consider and I think that Gail Honeyman has been very tender in her description of Eleanor's life and her difficulties in coming to terms with the reality of the modern world and its idiosyncrasies. A great read.

An outstanding debut novel. I initially resisted Eleanor but she totally won me over - what a character! I found the novel to be nuanaced and very moving. Highly recommended.

Gail Honeyman has created in Eleanor Oliphant a remarkably engaging and endearing character, for all her lack of social graces. She is a unique and fascinating personality whose carefully learned life skills are increasingly not a good fit with her life. I was reminded at times of Don Tillman in The Rosie Project by Graeme Simsion. My heart went out to her very quickly and I loved this story, which is beautifully written. It's an unusual, delightful tale which deserves to be widely read.