Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine by Gail Honeyman
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
Eleanor Oliphant is definitely one of my most memorable characters. I have not yet met a character as socially clueless and yet as endearing as Eleanor. To me, this story is one of available possibilities in spite of sad realities.
I must confirm that this book is not a romantic love story. Sure, there were hints that a romance might bloom and I was worried that the old formula of boy-loves-girl-then-changes-and-saves-her would be used, but thank goodness the story did not take that direction.
This story is more about the necessity of human connection and how simple, but genuine acts of caring and kindness influence and touch another human being. It is also about forgiveness for one’s own self, moving on from the past, restarting a life, and learning to love one’s own identity and worth. It is about understanding what it means to be truly alive as opposed to daily survival.
Fine is a response we often absentmindedly say about how we truly are. We have different definitions of being fine. We have to understand well and resolve on what it takes to be completely fine. Often, the process involves either asking for or accepting help when it knocks on our doors.
LIFE NOTES 