Eleanor Oliphant Is Completely Fine by Gail Honeyman

The charm of my birthday month continues. I have added yet another great book to my read pile!

I have to tell the story of how I got my hands on this book. This was one of the least contested winner of everyone’s hearts this past year. I do not usually trust unanimous recommendations very easily. I have been let down by a few in the past. Then my library sent me an update that the book was finally in stock. They got twenty-five copies ( for all over HK) and I was the sixty first in line in august. I initially thought I would request it after my vacation, but the number seemed daunting and I decided to join the queue immediately. I watched everyday as my numbers ticked its way down towards one, adding an extra level of enthusiasm with every number. Finally as of last week it was my turn ( in some ways it did not take too long!). I started it with a skeptical mind ( only to protect myself) but my cousin had mentioned liking it last month and she had not liked A Man Called Ove by Fredrik Backman as much as I did so I was intrigued.

I have to really appreciate all those blogs which reviewed this book so far, I have read so many of them but none of them clued me in to the actual story itself. I was surprised with every twist that I did not expect.Eleanor is a normal working woman, or so she would like to believe. She lives her life in the form of a strictly adhered to timetable. Then one day she sees someone, and things just change for her after that. In the spirit of change in the air she makes a new friend at work. That is as far as I will go into the tale. The people and the conversations, both direct and the implied are the highlight of the story. The author respects our intelligence enough to not over explain, making us feel like we are a part of the plot. I wept copious tears with the book, with my heart aching for the trials and feeling with the people we are introduced to in this book.

If , like me you have not yet given in to the pressure to check this book out, do rectify that error ASAP!