I picked up this book mainly because of its reviews. Just before the holiday, I needed a relaxing book, something I could easily read on the beach. So there was the debut novel of Gail Honeyman, a lecture that is ranked as the third-best fiction novel on Goodreads.
Instead of a soft story, I discovered a book like a lesson of understanding kindness and people’s pains in their lives.
Eleanor Oliphant is completely fine, but not
The story itself begins with a presentation of Eleanor’s life. Each day looks the same. Clothes at indigo, same work routine, same loneliness at home, same weekends with two bottles of vodka and some pizza. She has a quirky logic and socially she is clueless, which makes her a total outsider.
Also, Wednesdays were for “Mummy”, when Eleanor had these peculiar conversations with her mother. Their relationship is toxic, as you will find out by advancing in your reading.
Everything changes when our character meets Raymond, the unhygienic IT guy from work. Their friendship helps both of them escape from their lonely, isolated lives and discover dark truths.
A debut novel with fantastic twists
Gail Honeyman: ‘I hope Eleanor Oliphant has helped to fuel the debate on loneliness’
As the author declared at the end of the book, the story is about trying to make people kinder and more gentle with people in need. Eleanor is the representative of people with painful stories from their childhood, men, and women that need support and advice.
Nicely written, this book makes you laugh and cry and keeps you captivated. It is also like a therapy when you feel lost. I loved Eleanor, I felt sorry and also happy for her.
Just can’t wait to read more of Gail Honeyman, because her thoughts and style brought her debut novel to bestselling books nowadays.
Interesting fact, Reese Witherspoon bought the rights to make a movie after this book. Yuhu!
