Miscellany Pages - Book Group with Variety - Expand Your Reading Horizons discussion

Today I hit the 100-page mark for Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine. What do you think of the character of Eleanor? I love reading from her perspective, I find it endearing and laugh-out-loud funny at times. However, I'm not sure she'd be on my list of characters I would like to meet in real life, an unsympathetic part of me thinks I would find her frustrating and insensitive at times. Perhaps my guilt about this is part of the point Gail Honeyman is trying to make about how people who are "different" are treated in society?

Would you want to meet Eleanor in real life?

I'm about halfway through Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine now! What I love about this book is that however odd Eleanor's behaviour may initially seem, everyone seems to find a moment they can relate to on an intensely personal level.

For me, it was the make-up counter episode. I too have always hated make-up counters. They make feel self-conscious, inadequate and completely overwhelmed by the conglomeration of products promising a new, better version of me. So when Eleanor professes that 'there was literally more chance of me purchasing weapons-grade plutonium' from the beautician, I laughed out loud and ran downstairs to show my Mum, who shares my distaste!

What is your relatable-Eleanor-Oliphant moment?

I'm nearing the end of Eleanor Oliphant is completely fine, and I'd like to take back what I said at the start about not wanting to meet Eleanor in real life. Throughout the novel, she has become more kind and sympathetic, just through the little bit of human affection she starts to receive from Raymond and others. This has made me feel guilty about the fact that, initially, I would probably have been one of those people who denied her this affection. Gail Honeyman has certainly made me think hard about how we treat those a little different from us, and how we can often know so little about someone's struggles.

Has your opinion of Eleanor changed during the course of your reading?

I've finished Eleanor Oliphant Is Completely Fine! As with all books that have received such ebullient praise, I was a little apprehensive about reading it, but Gail Honeyman’s sparkling debut bestseller completely lived up to the hype.

The internet is already resplendent with reviews acclaiming its touching brilliance. So I thought I would take a personal approach to articulate the delightful experience I had in reading Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine.

Below are 20 thoughts I had while reading this novel! I would love to hear the ones you can most relate to and your own thoughts on the story, so please do share in the discussion...

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