Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine Review

This was a wonderful story, perfectly paced and with lovable characters and banter, comedic, but with complex themes. Reminiscent of Fredrick Bachman’s works that I have read such as A Man Called Ove and Britt-Marie Was Here, it also features a cantankerous character who gains a new lease on life through the connections they create in the story that change their perspectives and turns their world upside down. It also reminded me of The Woman in the Window, if you read both, you’ll know what I’m talking about. 

I found that Eleanor was really funny, not on purpose, just because she’s so socially awkward with no bad intentions. When she called Raymond back to ask him to pay her back for his drink right as he was leaving and he stared at her, I genuinely laughed, it was like I was there. Despite the humor, there were really dark themes in the story that led her to her state of shutting herself off: the crushing weight of her loneliness, depressing nature of her existence, and survival through any means necessary, even if it meant living a colorless life. It’s easy to fall in love with the cast of characters and how they grow to support Eleanor, who deserves nothing but happiness. Although a bit predictable, this was an easy and sweet read.