Wednesday 12 December 2018

Eleanor Oliphant Is Completely Fine

This book came to my attention because of its title, an unusual name to say the least. Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine by Gail Honeyman. I thought it sounded interesting so I put it on my list of books to read. Since then, I've read quite a few reviews of this book on different blogs and they've been very different from each other. Though some people enjoyed it, many people seem to have been disappointed with it and reading these reviews did make me question whether I wanted to bother reading it myself. When I saw it on the shelf in a charity shop I decided I would give it a go and I'm so pleased that I did.


"Eleanor Oliphant leads a simple life. She wears the same clothes to work every day, eats the same meal deal for lunch every day and buys the same two bottles of vodka to drink every weekend.

Eleanor Oliphant is happy. Nothing is missing from her carefully timetabled existence. Except, sometimes, everything..."

I don't know what I really expected from this book but I do know that it was totally different to what I thought it was going to be. Much, much better. It was one of those books which I didn't want to put down because I wanted to know what would happen in the next chapter and all too soon I was at the end.

If, like me, you've been dithering about reading this book I would definitely recommend it. This is Gail Honeyman's first novel and I'm looking forward to reading more from this author.

44 comments:

  1. Like you I had read mixed reviews about this one, but I really enjoyed it too. I'm afraid I haven't been doing much reading lately, don't know why but i'm really not feeling it at the moment.

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    1. I pleased you enjoyed it too. I lost my reading mojo a little a couple of months ago but I'm really enjoying it again now.

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  2. I enjoyed this book a lot, it is warm and life affirming. Living in Glasgow, the characters are so authentically local that I thought they sure must be living next door. I felt that we had some common grounds (although of course I am completely real). Glad you enjoyed this book x

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    1. I enjoy reading books which are set where I live, it adds something extra to the story for me. I enjoyed this book more than I thought I would.

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  3. Right, I'll get it! I hsve been dithering. 😊

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    1. I hope you enjoy it. The story wasn't really what I was expecting, it was better.

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  4. This book is on my 'might read these' list as like you I'd seen such varying reviews. I'll probably will read it and hope that, like you, I'll enjoy it. xx

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    1. I shouldn't really let reviews put me off as I very nearly didn't bother reading this but I'm so glad I did. I think you'll enjoy it too if you decide to give it a go.

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  5. I dithered about reading this one too, starting it, stopping and finally reading it. I really liked it and think it will make my top ten list for the year.

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    1. I think it's one of the best books I've read this year too. I'm so glad that I read it in the end.

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  6. So many said this was a great book. MAYBE I'll read it!!!!!!

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  7. I really loved this book. A lot of things resonated with me, and I felt so glad for her in the end.

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    1. I wondered where the story was going at the beginning and I really enjoyed how it all unfolded. I'm so glad that I read it.

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  8. That cover is very interesting. And I admit, I choose many books, because of their cover pic/art! :-)

    Ahhhhhhhh, reviews. -sigh- *Should* we pay attention to them? Or *should* we not? A forever question.

    Glad you thought for yourself... Got it.... Read it... Because you enjoyed it.

    Thank you for the reading suggestion. I always love them!

    🎄✨🎄

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    1. I enjoy reading reviews but I admit that they can put me off reading a book which I quite fancy. I'm glad it didn't stop me reading this one as it was so good.

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  9. A great book. It was my holiday read, I couldn't put it down. I might even read it again now you've reminded me!

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    1. It's a good book for a holiday read. I don't tend to reread books but this is one I could make an exception for.

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  10. I read this one in 2017. You won't be disappointed.

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    1. I'm pleased you enjoyed it too. It was much better than I was anticipating.

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  12. I really enjoyed this book. Mixed views at my reading group.Tomorrow we are discussing Nutshell by Ian McEwan.Should be interesting.Have you read this book?Barbara

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    1. There seems to be many mixed reviews of this book but I have only good things to say about it, I really enjoyed it. I haven't read Nutshell but it sounds interesting.

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  13. I will certainly keep my eye open for it.
    Thanks for the review.

    All the best Jan

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    1. It's definitely worth reading if it's something you fancy.

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  14. I loved this one, especially the twist that I didn't see coming at the end.

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    1. I saw the twist quite early on but it didn't spoil it for me.

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    1. We all seem to be of the same consensus here but I read many poor reviews before I read it.

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  16. I started this book about 6 months ago and doubt I got past the first chapter. I think I will try it again in 2019! Perhaps I wasn't in the mood. I have just finished "The Keeper of Lost Things"by Ruth Hogan. My friend (& most of the Internet) seemed to love it but sadly it passed by by completely!

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    1. Do give it another go, I'm sure you'd enjoy it if you read a bit further. I gave The keeper of Lost Things as a giveaway prize earlier this year but it's a book I haven't read myself.

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  17. I have to say I was frustrated with this book, I just felt the ending went by way too quickly and I just was not happy with it all in the end. The characters were interesting, it just wasn't for me. I am so glad you enjoyed it. I think the author is very talented, and I will read her again.

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    1. I really enjoyed the book but I've read lots of reviews which were of the same opinion as yours. I'm looking forward to seeing what the author releases next.

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  18. This does sound interesting.xxx

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  19. Much better to have the experience of not expecting much from a book and then thoroughly enjoy it than the other way around!

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    1. Definitely. It was a surprise how much I enjoyed it as I wasn't expecting to after some of the reviews I'd read.

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  20. I loved this book, I listened to it on audio while working. I had absolutely no idea what to expect I just downloaded it because I'd seen it everywhere. I was pleasantly surprised and really enjoyed it.

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    1. I was the same, I don't know what I expected but it was different to what I'd imagined. I've never listened to an audio book, I really must give one a try.

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  21. Often the most satisfying books and movies etc. are the ones you go into without any expectations ...

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    1. I totally agree. I think some books or films let you down when you expect big things from them so it's good to have low expectations and then be pleasantly surprised.

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