Author: Gail Honeyman
Sourced: DC Public Library, but you can probably find it on a friend’s bookshelf since I’m likely the last to read it
Meows: 3.82 out of 5, for cringeworthy social behavior

TL;DR

Eleanor is awkward and doesn’t seem to think very much of herself. She loves routine and lives in a council house in Scotland. When a fixation on a musician and a friendship with a colleague consume her, she learns that maybe drinking two bottles of vodka every weekend by yourself isn’t the best way to live her life. Over time, Eleanor learns what it means to genuinely care about someone and that she deserves the same. Add in a horrible mother figure to trash her self-esteem and Eleanor faces an uphill battle to self-love and self-care.

REMEMBER THIS

“There are scars on my heart, just as thick, as disfiguring as those on my face. I know they’re there. I hope some undamaged tissue remains, a patch through which love can come in and flow out. I hope.”
page 74

“Emily Dickinson’s beautiful poem is called “Wild Nights—Wild Nights!” and combines two elements of which I am inordinately fond: punctuation, and the theme of finding, at long last, a soul mate.”
page 118

“I suppose one of the reasons we’re all able to continue to exist for our allotted span in this green and blue vale of tears is that there is always, however remote it might seem, the possibility of change.”
page 182

“I know she’s only a cat. But it’s still love; animals, people. It’s unconditional, and it’s both the easiest and the hardest thing in the world.”
page 286

TOE BEANS VALUE

On a 10-point scale, Eleanor Oliphant Is Completely Fine gets a 3. It was an okay read, but to be honest a bit forgettable. The writing was fine, the character development well-enough done, but at the end, I just didn’t love Eleanor Oliphant and didn’t feel any kind of way about her being fine.

I definitely wouldn’t keep this book for the personal collection nor would I likely re-read again. However, I will say that I think I’m in the minority opinion here as I know this book made the book club circuits and several friends highly recommended it. My toe beans value comes from how I felt while reading it. Not excited, not nervous, nor eager to rush to the next chapter. I myself, just felt fine.

Did anyone else just feel fine? I know The Bibliofile recently reviewed this book too so check out her review too.