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  • Eleanor Oliphant Is Completely Fine

  • By: Gail Honeyman
  • Narrated by: Cathleen McCarron
  • Length: 11 hrs and 36 mins
  • 4.7 out of 5 stars (18,271 ratings)

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Eleanor Oliphant Is Completely Fine cover art

Eleanor Oliphant Is Completely Fine

By: Gail Honeyman
Narrated by: Cathleen McCarron
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Summary

Winner of the Specsavers Popular Fiction Book of the Year 2018.

Costa First Novel Book Award winner 2017. 

The Sunday Times best seller. 

AudioFile Magazine Earphones Award Winner. 

Soon to be a major motion picture produced by Reese Witherspoon. 

Eleanor Oliphant has learned how to survive - but not how to live 

Eleanor Oliphant leads a simple life. She wears the same clothes to work every day, eats the same meal deal for lunch every day and buys the same two bottles of vodka to drink every weekend. 

Eleanor Oliphant is happy. Nothing is missing from her carefully timetabled life. Except, sometimes, everything. 

One simple act of kindness is about to shatter the walls Eleanor has built around herself. Now she must learn how to navigate the world that everyone else seems to take for granted - while searching for the courage to face the dark corners she's avoided all her life. 

Change can be good. Change can be bad. But surely any change is better than...fine? 

This audiobook contains an exclusive interview with author Gail Honeyman and narrator Cathleen McCarron.  

©2017 Gail Honeyman; Extract of The Lonely City (2016) by Olivia Laing reproduced by permission from Canongate Books Ltd. (P)2017 HarperCollins Publishers Limited

Critic reviews

"A truly original literary creation: funny, touching and unpredictable. Her journey out of the shadows is expertly woven and absolutely gripping." (Jojo Moyes)
"Deft, compassionate and moving." (Paula McLain)
"I adored it. Skilled, perceptive, Eleanor's world will feel familiar to you from the very first page. An outstanding debut!" (Joanna Cannon)

What listeners say about Eleanor Oliphant Is Completely Fine

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Viva Eleanor!

This is a great debut novel from a mature author and which goes to prove that it is never too late to start your writing career. Eleanor is a character we could all probably recognise. She is the office misfit who shows no interest in joining in with the general gossip and chitchat and whose appearance is functional rather than attractive. Like many similar people she has disappeared into the background and is only noticed when she retaliates after being mocked. Despite her isolation Eleanor is no shrinking violet and we quickly learn from her excessive weekend drinking habits that there is something seriously wrong in her life.
This is the story of Eleanor’s reawakening and from it we learn the importance of human interaction which is the food and drink of everybody’s soul. The development of Eleanor’s relationship with the office nice guy /slob is a joyous awakening to the possibility of a better life. This is a splendid story filled with laughter and love but also the damage that one evil person can wreak on innocent people.
At times it is a difficult listen and the excellent narrator delivers some very hard emotional punches but it all adds up into a tale of hope and a lesson to make us value our friends, colleagues and the whole darned world (including the cats).

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173 people found this helpful

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Wonderful book, superb narration!

This is one of the best books I have read/listened to. It is beautifully written, with a light touch (no underestimating the reader here) exploring many difficult issues for a women with a traumatic childhood history. In addition to understandable psychological problems, the main protagonist also has mild aspergers syndrome. All of the characters are extremely well drawn, and I loved many of them. Despite the subject matter, it is not always intense (though at appropriate times, it is). There are warm and lovely moments, laugh out loud moments and moments that may move you to tears. Not a single word is wasted here.

In addition, the narration for the audiobook may be the best I have heard. I have several favourite narrators who are always engaging and faultless. McCarron brings something more though. Her ability with accents and in varying voices is at such a high standard as to be remarkable. I keenly look forward to more by this author and I will probably try audiobooks that I might not otherwise when narrated by McCarron.

Highly recommended.

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147 people found this helpful

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Amazing. Touching. Complete

I loved this book- it's really out of my normal genre (crime drama) this is a wonderful, complete story of a woman on her journey of recovering from childhood trauma.
The characters are excellent, voices brilliant. I could not put this down. You'll be so pleased you listened to this.

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58 people found this helpful

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Deliciously original quirky story about loneliness

Loved this book! Beautifully written story dealing with loneliness and the effects of tragedy in childhood. Optimistic, sensitive, emotionally congruent - and with literary depth. The reader makes the book sing.

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52 people found this helpful

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Wonderful audiobook

This is a fabulous audiobook which I cannot recommend highly enough. The writing is spot-on. Eleanor is superbly brought to life in the most painstaking and heart wrenching way. Seeing her reborn, almost, is really special. Loved all the other characters too, especially Raymond and his mum. All the small details are what make this book special and bring it to life.
I hope the author has another book out very soon.
The narrator was brilliant too. This is the best book I have listened to on Audible.

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Puts Bridget Jones in the shade

What made the experience of listening to Eleanor Oliphant Is Completely Fine the most enjoyable?

Firstly may I say that I don't often read feel good type novels. Stephen King is more my forte. But every now and again I'll see a book cover that catches my eye, or wonder if the latest 'big book' really is worth all the hype. I actually listened to this novel via audio book, and from the moment I heard the narrator's gorgeous Scottish accent, I was completely drawn in.
This is no Bridget Jones. Eleanor puts her in the shade. She's a totally unique character, a one of a kind who you can't help but feel empathy for. We've all felt alone at some point in our lives, haven't we? The subject matter has been written so beautifully, you can't fail to be moved. I was also pleasantly surprised by the numbers of twists and turns this book took. I loved the relationship between Eleanor and her mother, which took me completely by surprise. As for her interaction with the rest of the characters... I won't spoil the story but suffice to say I smiled so many times at the touching and heartfelt moments portrayed in this book. It made me laugh, it almost made me cry, no mean feat for this cynical ex copper, believe me.
This is one of my favourite books of the year. Prepare to be moved.

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42 people found this helpful

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  • jo
  • 24-05-17

grows on you

it started off a bit slow but it turned out to be a very lovely book indeed

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36 people found this helpful

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Brilliant!

Just brilliant. The story is gripping and the narration is excellent. One of those books you just don't want to end. I rationed myself! I'd recommend this to anyone. Good luck Eleanor Oliphant!

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Wrong Synopsis

If this book wasn’t for you, who do you think might enjoy it more?

The problem with this book is the synopsis. The synopsis doesn't mention at all that there's an element of child abuse, so that the mental problems the main character is facing is because of that. Also, because this is an audible version, it was very disturbing to listen to it.

How would you have changed the story to make it more enjoyable?

First of all, there needs to be more honesty at the synopsis. Child abuse is a serious matter. I think the book is written in a way it's taking it very lightly. Also, the main character is described naturally witty and unique. She's just really messed up, and it's a stretch to describe it funny.

What does Cathleen McCarron bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you had only read the book?

Actually it was too much vividness of the drama that disturbed me. Hearing the Mum was uncomfortable.

What character would you cut from Eleanor Oliphant Is Completely Fine?

Mummy

Any additional comments?

Audible should have a mechanism to tell people if the book has disturbing elements like child abuse, rape, severe depression, etc. I'm very disappointed that the book is marketed as a 'feel good'. It has very disturbing elements for a long time in the book. The fact that it ended well doesn't mean it was right to market it as 'witty'.

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22 people found this helpful

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Brilliant debut!

What did you like most about Eleanor Oliphant Is Completely Fine?

Extremely enjoyable book, excellent characterization.

What did you like best about this story?

The character of Eleanor is beautifully crafted.

What about Cathleen McCarron’s performance did you like?

Cathleen McCarron did a superb job of bringing the entire cast of characters to life. Perfect narration!

Did you have an emotional reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

Honeyman strikes a lovely balance between deeply poignant scenes and gentle humour.

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  • Laura
  • 27-03-18

I’ll miss Eleanor

This book is one of the books that you’ll carry with you for a long time. It’s funny, dark, sad and heartwarming. The characters are incredible and the voiceover is perfect. I’m now waiting not so patiently for Gail to write her next book!

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  • Amazon Customer
  • 13-03-18

Amazing story

Would you listen to Eleanor Oliphant Is Completely Fine again? Why?

Loved it. Well written, the character creation is amazing. Really well read and an inspiring story. Highly recommend.

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  • Debbie Todd
  • 24-02-18

Most enjoyable

I loved this story about Eleanors triumph over adversity. Very poignant and funny at the same time.

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  • Dymps
  • 22-02-18

A must read!!!

Excellent- the pace of the story unfolding, the plot, the humour, the treatment of serious issues, the character development, the narration!!! One of the best, if not the best book I’ve read in a while!

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  • Kindle Customer
  • 24-01-18

A new favorite!

Any additional comments?

I loved this book with my whole heart. Maybe because in many ways I identifield with Eleanor Oliphant. I understood her and empathized with her. Yes, she made me cringe a little from time to time, but she was an extraordinary well-written character with an amazing journey of self-actualization. This was a triumphant debut by Gail Honeyman and I can't wait to see what she writes next.

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  • SheenaB
  • 09-09-17

Funny and tragic

What made the experience of listening to Eleanor Oliphant Is Completely Fine the most enjoyable?

The narrator skilfully carries the story without over characterisation. The story is carried with a lightness and humour that is so hard to deliver when that story is filled with human pain and suffering.

What does Cathleen McCarron bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

Maybe the warmth of the characters. The slight accent emphasised the context.

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

Both! Lots of laughs, lots of warmth and compassion.

Any additional comments?

Loved this story. A rare find.

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  • Aliza Yael Raz Melzer
  • 26-08-17

Candid, shocking, mesmerizing.

Beautifully written and beautifully narrated. A story that refuses to go away, unfolding carefully and gently, optimistic despite the horror.


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  • Anja Hennie Halmøy Fredriksen
  • 08-08-17

Good read!

I liked the story and I liked the performance of the reader very much! I would recommend it for summer reading :-)

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  • Rachel Maritz
  • 20-06-19

Praises not exagerated

So much has been said about this book and it has been praised by so many. None of the praises have been exaggerated. The book exceeded all my expectations. It is both refreshingly light and at the same time deeply moving. The author’s timing of events and thoughts are absolutely perfect. She created beautiful characters that the reader falls in live with. The journey with Eleanor seems to be over too soon.
Also: The narrator was the best ever!! Beautiful voice and wonderful articulation.

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  • Mary Jose
  • 02-03-18

loved it

loved it. quirky, funny and deeply moving. flawed but real characters that as a reader i loved.

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1 person found this helpful