I this book because...
I stumbled upon this quirky book at a secondhand book fair. After reading it, I understood how it managed to hold a solid spot on the bestseller list for quite some time.
Now in her mid-30s, Eleanor, who’s lived a sheltered life, is refreshingly oblivious to social media. Her astute observations, once she jumps online, mainly to stalk a pop star, yes, it sounds crazy, and it kind of is, are hilarious. She dissects popular trends and, through witty inner dialogue, exposes just how absurd that world has become by its blind adherence to popular, at times, ridiculous trends. Despite her naivety about the world at large, her colorful, often unfiltered language reveals an erudite mind.
Eleanor gradually shares a dark childhood secret with a work colleague, who befriends her, unleashing a rollercoaster of emotion: from dark humor to profound pathos and everything in between.
Books that can convey such a broad spectrum of emotion are rare, and kudos to Ms. Honeyman for creating this little gem. In my humble and unscholarly opinion, her portrayal of this, at times, disengaged being could be a modern-day Camus, where just the mere act of existing is enough. That is until one scratches the surface. This is one of those timeless tomes that will remain on my bookshelf, unlike the quick reads I occasionally digest when seeking light diversion.
27 authors picked Eleanor Oliphant Is Completely Fine as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.
#1 NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER
A Reese Witherspoon Book Club Pick
"Beautifully written and incredibly funny, Eleanor Oliphant Is Completely Fine is about the importance of friendship and human connection. I fell in love with Eleanor, an eccentric and regimented loner whose life beautifully unfolds after a chance encounter with a stranger; I think you will fall in love, too!" -Reese Witherspoon
No one's ever told Eleanor that life should be better than fine.
Meet Eleanor Oliphant: She struggles with appropriate social skills and tends to say exactly what she's thinking. Nothing is missing in her carefully timetabled life of…