Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine: A Guide for Finding Your People
If you’ve ever felt like a social misfit, been the last one picked for the team, or spent a weekend wondering if it’s socially acceptable to talk to your plants; you’ll find a kindred spirit in Eleanor Oliphant. Because Eleanor is anything but completely fine.
Gail Honeyman’s debut novel, Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine, isn’t just a book—it’s a little therapeutic nudge disguised as a story. Eleanor's journey from a hermit-like existence to actually having friends is both hilarious and deeply moving-proving that no one is truly an island—not even the quirkiest or crankiest among us.
Meet Eleanor: Master of Monotony
Eleanor’s life is predictable. She works, she goes home, she eats frozen pizza, and she has the exact same rituals every single weekend. To her this is completely fine, thank you very much. And while the phrase "completely fine" screams red flag to anyone else, Eleanor doesn’t see the cracks in her carefully constructed world until life starts throwing her curveballs—like the co-worker who insists on making small talk with her and the elderly man who inconveniently collapses on the street in front of them.
Now Eleanor and her talkative co-worker, Raymond, a scruffy, kind-hearted IT guy whose wardrobe suggests that ironing is a conspiracy, find themselves thrust into this gentleman’s life. From there, her life begins to shift. Raymond very slowly starts to chip away at the walls that Eleanor has built around herself. And as we learn more about her, it’s not without good reason. She’s obviously been through some really hard stuff and has both the physical and emotional scars to prove it.
Social Isolation: Eleanor's Fortress of Solitude
Eleanor’s isolation isn’t just physical; it’s emotional, too. Her sharp wit and blunt honesty—while endearing to readers—have effectively isolated her from any meaningful human connection. She keeps people at arm’s length. And if we’re honest, haven’t we all built our own little walls at one time or another? Maybe it’s not as extreme as Eleanor’s, but who hasn’t sat home and binged watched three seasons of The Great British Baking Show instead of answering their phone.
The beauty of this book lies in how it gently peels back Eleanor’s layers, revealing a vulnerable, deeply human core. It reminds us that isolation can be comfortable but you know what? It isn’t sustainable. And often, the people who help us emerge from our cocoons aren’t the ones we expect.
The Power of Unexpected Friendships
Raymond’s role in Eleanor’s life is a perfect example of how small gestures can have a profound effect on someone’s life. He doesn’t swoop in like a knight in shining armor. He just shows up. He listens. He invites her into a world where kindness and connection are everyday occurrences. Eleanor isn’t sure what to do with that. It’s definitely not the way she’s ever been treated-even by her own family. It’s proof that both friendship and healing take time.
What makes this relationship so relatable is its authenticity. Eleanor doesn’t suddenly become a social butterfly overnight. She constantly bickers and continually resists. But through Raymond, as well as a cast of other interesting characters, she learns that vulnerability is a two-way street. Friendship isn’t about finding perfect people; it’s about letting imperfect people into your imperfect world.
Life Lessons-Eleanor Style
Be Open to the Unlikely: The people who transform our lives rarely arrive with neon signs announcing their importance. They’re the “Raymonds” of the world, the ones who sit next to us in the breakroom or hold open a door when we’re juggling coffee cups and a phone.
It’s Okay to Not Be Okay: Eleanor’s mantra of being "completely fine" is relatable in its denial. But the truth is, pretending to be fine doesn’t make you fine—it just makes you lonelier. Admitting that you’re struggling is the first step toward healing.
Small Acts Matter: A cup of tea. A shared laugh. A helping hand. These moments don’t just brighten a day; they build bridges. Eleanor’s story reminds us to never underestimate the impact of kindness.
Your "Eleanor" Moment
Perhaps what makes Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine so resonant is how it speaks to that universal desire for connection. We’re all a little awkward, a little wounded, and a lot in need of others. The book reminds us that stepping out of our comfort zones, even if it’s uncomfortable is the key to finding belonging.
So, if you’re feeling isolated, take a page from Eleanor’s story. Smile at the scruffy guy in IT. Answer the phone when your weird friend calls. And if life hands you a curveball…embrace it. Who knows? Your own Raymond might be just around the corner.