"Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine"

Book Review: Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine by Gail Honeyman

I am late to reading Eleanor Oliphant. I don't always want to read the popular books when they come out. It's a stubborn streak of mine. I sometimes assume popular books are fluff and simple and boring. As if I know better than Penguin Random House, Reese Witherspoon's book club, and thousands of other readers. So, for years, I turned my nose up at Eleanor.

Over time, my tastes in books have changed. I rather favor a nice, easy read these days. So when I found a $0.25 copy of this book at the Keaau Transfer Station, I picked it up. I am so glad I did.

I have a paperback copy, but I listened on audiobook. Sometimes, I followed along in my paperback. I am trying to heal my long-Covid-addled brain, and I thought this might be a nice assist.

I loved this book. It reminded me of A Man Called Ove. Probably because Eleanor is an eccentric character like Ove, and Gail Honeyman is a European like Fredrik Backman. I binge listened to this book. I think I finished it in a few days. Then I experienced the deep sadness of finishing a good book and fearing that your next read will not be able to compete.

I wasn't wrong. The two books I read after Eleanor were nowhere near as good. So, read Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine. You won't be sorry.