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ceilidh_ashcroft's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Graphic: Addiction, Alcoholism, Child abuse, Child death, Drug abuse, Drug use, Emotional abuse, Mental illness, Panic attacks/disorders, Self harm, Grief, Suicide attempt, Death of parent, Gaslighting, and Abandonment
angada's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Moderate: Drug abuse and Suicide attempt
Minor: Emotional abuse
silver_lining_in_a_book's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
These days, loneliness is the new cancer—a shameful, embarrassing thing, brought upon yourself in some obscure way. A fearful, incurable thing, so horrifying that you dare not mention it; other people don’t want to hear the word spoken aloud for fear that they might too be afflicted, or that it might tempt fate into visiting a similar horror upon them.
This book has been a long-time coming. I was a little scared going into this because of all the high praise surrounding this book, but I shouldn't have been. I thought it was very well written, with an engaging plot and a lot of important messages to get across to the reader. I certainly had a couple of issues with how some things (the therapy, the SA, and the alcoholism to give just some examples) were handled and I found Eleanor's fatphobia (although in no way endorsed in the book) was somewhat difficult to read.
However, Eleanor was a very unique character and her charm really grew on me throughout the book. Despite the dark themes, Gail Honeyman's humour came across very well in my opinion and I loved the way she made me feel Eleanor's loneliness. If the trigger warnings do not look to overwhelming, I can definitely recommend this book to many of my close friends, it is one that is certainly worth the read!
Graphic: Addiction, Alcoholism, Child abuse, Child death, Death, Drug abuse, Drug use, Emotional abuse, Mental illness, Panic attacks/disorders, Physical abuse, Suicidal thoughts, Toxic relationship, Grief, Suicide attempt, Death of parent, Fire/Fire injury, Abandonment, Alcohol, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Domestic abuse, Rape, Sexual violence, and Sexual harassment
Minor: Body shaming and Fatphobia
rosietomyn's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
I admit I was rather surprised by just how dark Eleanor's backstory is, and somehow missed any references to that in reviews I read prior to picking it up. For those who have dealt with narcissistic caretakers, substance abuse, emotional abuse, physical abuse, etc -- take caution. I wish I had gone in more prepared for it.
Still, though it can absolutely be emotionally taxing/triggering to read, the novel is worthy and uplifting. Eleanor definitely takes a bit of getting used to, but she is easy to warm up to after a few chapters. Following her growth and the expansion of her social and emotional life is truly heartwarming.
I would definitely recommend the novel, but I would add some warnings as well. Definitely pick the book up, but do so only when ready to read about some heavy, depressing, and truly awful issues (child abuse, emotional abuse, substance abuse).
Graphic: Alcoholism, Child abuse, Domestic abuse, and Drug abuse
corinnelora95's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
This quote stuck out to me because the cover reviews for "Eleanor Oliphant Is Completely Fine" are part of what led me to pick up and read this book. I found that it was not "beautifully written and incredibly funny," as Reese Witherspoon described it to be. It was not "hilarious and moving," as People claimed. And it certainly was not "completely wonderful," as Purewow said it would be.
For everyone who recommends this book because it's "light-hearted" or "funny," I have to wonder why. I found the majority of the book to be frustrating and depressing. Eleanor annoyed me for the entirety of the "Good Days" part of the book. She was slightly better in the "Bad Days" and "Better Days" parts, but I still found myself questioning why she was written to be so socially inept. It was maddening.
Overall, the book was easy to read, but it left me asking, "Why am I reading this?" over and over. I ultimately decided around the halfway point that I'd finish the book because I was too invested in Raymond and the other positive characters to quit. Raymond's care for Eleanor is what earned it the third star for me, but just barely.
Graphic: Mental illness, Suicidal thoughts, Vomit, and Suicide attempt
Moderate: Addiction, Alcoholism, Child abuse, Child death, Death, Drug abuse, Emotional abuse, Panic attacks/disorders, Physical abuse, Rape, Self harm, Sexual assault, Toxic relationship, Violence, Grief, Stalking, Death of parent, Murder, Fire/Fire injury, Alcohol, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Animal cruelty and Cursing
leanne_who_reads's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Minor: Alcoholism, Drug abuse, and Suicide attempt
dexlud's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine follows our title character, Eleanor Oliphant, through her daily life and through her unpacking her childhood trauma. The slow reveals of her past were executed flawlessly, and the twist at the end of the book (which I'm unsure if it was designed to be a twist but it was for me) had my jaw on the floor.
Graphic: Alcoholism, Child abuse, Domestic abuse, and Alcohol
Moderate: Drug abuse, Rape, and Sexual assault
jazzreads's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Graphic: Child abuse, Drug abuse, and Suicide attempt
jordan_noel's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Eleanor Oliphant is funny, completely un-self-aware, and refreshingly blunt with her social observations. She's continuously shocking and increasingly loveable the more you get to know her.
I felt that this book can help anyone better understand how isolating "dark thoughts" can be, and how necessary simple social interactions are to our survival and, less dramatically, our well-being. Everybody needs a friend, no one is completely self-sufficient and happy, in spite of that being exactly what society seems to want from each of us. I loved the honesty in this book; it's the only way for people to truly heal and live better lives.
Graphic: Addiction, Alcoholism, Child abuse, Child death, Confinement, Death, Emotional abuse, Self harm, Toxic relationship, Forced institutionalization, Suicide attempt, Murder, Fire/Fire injury, and Abandonment
Moderate: Bullying, Drug abuse, Mental illness, Physical abuse, Grief, and Gaslighting
Minor: Cursing
cozyapril's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Minor: Death, Drug abuse, Mental illness, Physical abuse, Suicidal thoughts, Grief, and Suicide attempt