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News broke back in December that Reese Witherspoon’s production company is teaming up with MGM to bring the book Eleanor Oliphant Is Completely Fine to the big screen.
The novel, written by Gail Honeyman, was published in 2017 and has quickly gained thousands of admirers.
Why is everyone raving about this book? Is it really a must-read? What can be expected from the movie?
The Synopsis: What Eleanor Oliphant Is Completely Fine Is All About
The main character, Eleanor Oliphant, is a socially awkward young woman who spends her time away from work drinking vodka and talking to her mom on the phone. Part of her doesn’t want to engage in social situations because she tends to say exactly what she’s thinking. While this can be refreshing to some, when not held in check, it can be a total turn-off to others.
Eleanor isolates herself to an extreme level until she meets a new IT guy where she works. His name is Raymond and he’s a kind, yet bumbling and unhygienic sort of person. The two develop a friendship, especially after coming to the rescue of an elderly man that has fallen.
Soon, all three characters form a strong bond of friendship based on their kindness towards one another. In turn, that kindness saves all of them from the lonely life of isolation.
Why You Should Add Eleanor Oliphant to Your Audiobook Collection
Eleanor Oliphant Is Completely Fine has received 4.3 stars out of five stars on GoodReads and 4.6 stars out of five on Amazon reviews. What makes this book so popular amongst readers?
It’s a great read for several reasons. (SPOILERS AHEAD)
Eleanor Oliphant Is Completely Fine Addresses Mental Illness
First, this book explores mental illness in a positive, heartbreaking, hopeful way. Readers will discover that Eleanor isn’t just socially awkward – she is suffering from a mental illness, caused in part by her cruel mother, who spent most of Eleanor’s childhood in prison.
When Eleanor and her sister were younger, their mother wasn’t kind to them, to the extent that she attempted to kill them both in a fire. In the end, the fire ended up killing Eleanor’s mother and sister. Despite this reality, the only person Eleanor communicates with regularly is her mother.
To deal with her past, Eleanor sees a therapist who encourages her to take steps to heal from her past and open her heart to the possibilities of love and kindness in the future.
Eleanor Oliphant Addresses Loneliness
Loneliness is something that plagues many people, particularly those who are single and the elderly. The bond formed between Eleanor, Raymond, and the elderly gentleman they help is beautiful. It’s the kind of friendship that all humans need in their life, which is wonderfully conveyed by the author.
The tagline of the book is: “The only way to survive is to open your heart.” While there is a lot of hate in the world, there’s still a lot of kindness, and when people are open to an exchange of kindness, it can change their lives for the better.
Also Addressed: The Power of Platonic Friendships
Contrary to popular belief, the hero and heroine of a story don’t need to fall in love. Platonic friendships can and do exist, and they’re actually necessary. Love is love. It’s necessary to get as much as possible of it to have a happy, fulfilling life.
Plus, having a variety of friendships – including those with people of different genders, ages, and ethnicities – can help people grow and learn more about themselves.
Opening up to love and getting to know oneself is one of the central themes of this story.
Readers Will Get a Happy Ending
Finally, Eleanor Oliphant Is Completely Fine provides readers with a happy ending. No, Eleanor and Raymond don’t end up in a romantic relationship. That was not the goal of the book. The goal was to provide Eleanor with a new beginning to her life, one in which she truly is completely fine and equipped to handle what comes her way because of what her friends have given her.
The Eleanor Oliphant Movie – What You Need to Know
Reese Witherspoon’s book club, Hello Sunshine, provides readers with an extensive list of the latest, greatest books to read. Her fans know she really loves a book, though, when she’s willing to invest in it to turn it into a film.
Well, Witherspoon adores this story. It’s currently in production and is expected to be released later this year or early 2020.
Actors have not yet been named to play the part of Eleanor or Raymond, though many fans have voiced their favorites, namely Felicity Jones and James McAvoy respectively.
Reese Witherspoon has said she’d like to play a role in the film, though fans hope it’s not the title character. Witherspoon is a competent actress, no one is denying that. However, they don’t feel she’s the right actor to portray this particular character.
Looking for a Smart, Whitty, Heart-Warming Read? Then, Download This Book ASAP
Everyone is getting bombarded these days by negativity, whether it’s from the news, politicians, social media, books, or film.
A lot of people are looking for a book that can provide them with a little glimmer of hope, if not a full-on happy ending, which is why Eleanor Oliphant is so popular.
Though it starts out following a socially awkward gal with little-to-no social ambitions, the heroine soon sees how important it is to open her heart.
The story is great in that it shows the importance of friendship with people of all ages and genders, how such a thing can actually create a more fulfilling life experience.
Anyone interested in a smart, funny book that explores mental illness, human relationships, and the power of kindness should add this one to their Must-Read List immediately.
Are you ready to read the book everyone is talking about? Get on the Eleanor Oliphant bandwagon and see why so many people love this story. Download the audiobook today!
