Summary
Eleanor Oliphant Is Completely Fine marked the debut of Scottish novelist Gail Honeyman. Upon its release in 2017, the novel won the Costa Debut Novel Award and quickly became an international bestseller, capturing the hearts of readers with its unique blend of humor and poignancy. The protagonist, Eleanor Oliphant, is a socially awkward yet endearing character, and a not always reliable narrator of her own journey of self-discovery and healing. Honeyman's skillful portrayal of Eleanor's struggles with loneliness, trauma, and social isolation made the book a standout in the emerging “up lit” genre.
Plot
Eleanor Oliphant is a socially awkward 29-year-old finance clerk living in Glasgow, Scotland. She leads a solitary life, with no friends and a strict routine that includes frozen pizza and vodka on weekends. Eleanor considers herself “completely fine,” despite her obvious social difficulties and traumatic past, which includes a childhood primarily spent in foster homes.
Everything changes when Eleanor meets Raymond, the IT guy from her office. Together, they help an elderly man named Sammy who has fallen on the sidewalk. This chance encounter leads to an unlikely friendship between the three, gradually pulling Eleanor out of her isolated existence.
As the story progresses, Eleanor develops a crush on a local musician named Johnnie Lomond. She becomes obsessed with the idea that he is her soulmate, embarking on a makeover and following his social media. When she finally sees him perform, however, Eleanor realizes he is not the refined person she imagined. This disillusionment, combined with disturbing memories triggered at the concert, sends her into a deep depression and a dangerous drinking binge.
Raymond finds Eleanor during her lowest point and helps her recover. With his support and that of a mental health counselor, Eleanor begins to confront her past. She learns to let go of her imaginary relationship with her abusive mother and reveals the truth about a traumatic childhood incident involving a house fire. As Eleanor opens up to others and receives kindness in return, she starts to heal and build genuine connections, discovering that life can be more than just “fine."
Themes
Loneliness and social isolation
Trauma recovery and mental health
The power of friendship and human connection
Personal growth and self-discovery
Overcoming past experiences
The importance of kindness and compassion
Breaking out of comfort zones
Setting
Eleanor Oliphant Is Completely Fine is set in contemporary Glasgow, Scotland. The story unfolds in the present day, reflecting modern urban life with its social challenges and technological interconnectedness. Glasgow, a vibrant post-industrial city, serves as the backdrop for Eleanor's journey from isolation to connection.
While the novel primarily takes place in Glasgow's urban environment, it also explores the internal landscape of Eleanor's mind. Her small flat, where she spends most of her time alone, becomes a significant setting that mirrors her emotional state. The office where Eleanor works as a finance clerk is another key location, serving as the stage for her interactions with colleagues and her budding friendship with Raymond.
The city's pubs, restaurants, and concert venues play important roles as Eleanor begins to venture out of her comfort zone. These public spaces contrast sharply with the private, controlled environment of her home, highlighting her gradual integration into society. Additionally, the counselor's office becomes a crucial setting for Eleanor's psychological journey, representing her steps towards healing and self-discovery.
Characters
Eleanor Oliphant: The protagonist and narrator. A socially awkward 29-year-old finance clerk who leads an isolated life. Eleanor struggles with appropriate social skills and has a traumatic past. She undergoes a transformative journey throughout the novel, learning to open up and connect with others.
Raymond Gibbons: An IT worker at Eleanor's office who becomes her friend. Kind and socially adept, Raymond helps Eleanor emerge from her isolation. He plays a crucial role in Eleanor's emotional growth and recovery.
Sammy Thom: An elderly man whom Eleanor and Raymond help after he collapses on the street. Sammy's gratitude and warmth contribute to Eleanor's social development.
Eleanor's Mother: A manipulative and abusive figure who exists mainly in Eleanor's imagination. Her weekly phone calls to Eleanor are revealed to be hallucinations. Eleanor's mother was responsible for a traumatic incident in Eleanor's childhood.
Johnnie Lomond: A local musician on whom Eleanor develops an unrealistic crush. Eleanor's idealization and subsequent disillusionment with Johnnie serve as catalysts for her personal growth.
Bob: Eleanor's boss at the graphic design company. He shows concern for Eleanor's well-being when she misses work unexpectedly.
Laura: Eleanor's counselor, who helps her work through her traumatic past and current mental health issues.
Quick facts
Eleanor Oliphant Is Completely Fine is Gail Honeyman's debut novel, published in 2017.
Honeyman wrote the book while working full-time, often writing during her commute to work.
Honeyman got the idea for the story after reading a newspaper article about loneliness in young people.
Eleanor Oliphant's character was partially inspired by Honeyman's own experiences of loneliness in her twenties.
Eleanor Oliphant Is Completely Fine won the Costa Debut Novel Award in 2017.
Eleanor Oliphant Is Completely Fine has been translated into over 40 languages.
The audiobook version, narrated by Cathleen McCarron, won the 2018 US Audie Award for Fiction.
The novel was selected for Reese Witherspoon's Book Club.
Film rights were optioned by Reese Witherspoon's production company, Hello Sunshine.
The book is credited with popularizing the “up lit” genre of uplifting literature.
About the Author
Gail Honeyman is a Scottish novelist. She rose to literary fame with her 2017 debut novel, Eleanor Oliphant Is Completely Fine. Garnering critical acclaim for its blend of humor and heartbreak, the novel was shortlisted for the Lucy Cavendish Fiction Prize and won the Costa Debut Novel Award. Chosen as a selection of Reese Witherspoon's Book Club, it became an international bestseller.
Born in 1972, Honeyman studied French literature at the University of Glasgow and Oxford. After earning her degree, she opted for a career in academia outside the classroom, preferring various “backroom jobs.” While working full-time as a university administrator, she pursued her passion for writing through a Faber Academy course. After reading a newspaper article about loneliness among young people, she got the idea for a story about a woman struggling with loneliness—a universal experience, and something she understood personally—and childhood trauma. She began writing the novel that became Eleanor Oliphant Is Completely Fine on her daily commute to work.
As of 2024, readers are eagerly awaiting Honeyman's second novel. While details remain scarce, the author has hinted that it will be set in a different period and location from her debut.
