Eleanor Oliphant is anything but "completely fine" - or certainly that is the case at the outset of this excellent novel. She plods away at her routine job in an advertising office and adheres to an utterly boring regime outwith office hours which involves consuming a great deal of vodka. All this is necessary to allow her to deal with her demons caused by a dreadful trauma as a child. Then her life changes. Firstly she sees Johnnie Lomond - a singer at her local pub - and instantly falls madly in love with him. Secondly her computer stops working in the office and, as a result she meets the office computer geek Raymond. How these two men gradually take over her life forms the backbone of this book but the twists and turns are endless and unpredictable. Eleanor's lack of social skills produce truly hilarious moments. Gradually, however, she begins to acquire the ability to interact with people and, as a result, her weekly phone call from her Mum loses its importance whereas previously it was the only verbal interaction she had with another human being. The journey Eleanor takes to climb out of the dark pit of her desperately lonely life is both hilarious and tragic but above all it is uplifting. I recommend this well crafted novel for the sensitivity with which it addresses isolation and mental trauma.

I just found this too uncomfortable to read. A totally personal thing.

It has been a while since I read this and I still think about Eleanor Oliphant most days. I know this book has been incredibly hyped and popular but I don't always go along with popular opinion. I cannot fault the majority of reviews though - This book was incredible. So thought provoking, I really felt there is a part of Eleanor in all of us. Some parts of this book were so funny - I laughed my head off about part where people are dancing to the YMCA aswell as when Starbucks write customer's names on cups. So cleverly observed.

I absolutely loved this book, Eleanor is such a complex character with such a lot going on in her head and not so much in her life at the beginning of the book but as the book develops, she does along with it and she almost finds herself during the course of the narrative.

I loved the relationship between Eleanor and Raymond - everyone needs a Raymond in their life. The thing I loved the most about this book though was it was refreshing to read as there was no formulaic plot, along with the very unique characters and wonderful writing. I would read another book by this author in a heartbeat.

Utterly amazing debut. Very different to anything I’ve read before. Really made me think about how we judge people superficially without ever knowing what and why they do what they do. I can’t tevomm this enough. Surely THE book of 2018?
Reviewed on Amazon https://www.amazon.co.uk/review/R1HOFFK9V976XX/ref=pe_1572281_66412651_cm_rv_eml_rv0_rv

This was a re-read of Eleanor Oliphant - and despite being a person who rarely re-reads, it was 100% worth it. I love Eleanor. I relate to her, I empathize with her, I cringe for her - I want nothing but the best for her. In some ways the optimism of the book's end didn't sit right, it's a little too happily ever after for such a complex individual, but this doesn't detract from a great read.

I loved this book. From the first page it grabbed me. In some way or another, aren’t we all Eleanor? Aren’t we all just trying to be completely fine? At least, that’s my aim. Daily.

Eleanor is relatable, especially since I’m from Glasgow too. The way Glaswegians speak in the book is bang on. The emotional rollercoaster within this book is, at times, heartbreaking. At others it’s heartwarming.

A perfect book to read while curled up in a blanket...just remember the tissues because this book will unlock your emotions.

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.