On this weeks Manuscript Monday Virginia recommends Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine by Gail Honeyman.
If you haven’t read this book yet after the wave of hype that followed its release, do it! It is a gem of a novel. This story of Eleanor Oliphant deals with so many complex themes and emotions, all wrapped around Eleanor who on the surface is socially awkward but is coping with deep trauma and is really just misunderstood by most of those around her. You know the saying to “be kind to people because you don’t know what they’ve been through”? She is an exact example of why you should be doing this in real life- leading with kindness. On the surface Eleanor is a social misfit who speaks with a very frank manner and accuracy in her words. Is it awkward and unnerving for those interacting with her? sure, but she’s not wrong. Her childhood and the relationship with her mother slowly unfold throughout the novel and you quickly release why Eleanor is the way she is in the world.
Do yourself a favour and read this book. It’s heartbreaking, it’s heartwarming and it will leave you with a better appreciation for those around us in life that may be the seemingly odd-ducks in the world.
If you have your own book club like Book Interrupted, this would be a perfect book to discuss all the complexities and varied emotions of Miss Eleanor Oliphant.
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