Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine, by Gail Honeyman
Reading Like Writers Book Club
In the monthly Reading Like Writers Books Club, we are examining a published book-length story to excavate the three components of the “groundwork” we talk about around here. At the end you’ll have access to a conversation I had with my friend about the book. Remember, reading like writers helps us become better writers. Come along, my friend!
Disclaimer #1: Spoilers are imminent. If you want to save this post for after you’ve read the book, please feel free! But much can be learned from a discussion of a story even if you haven’t read it, so I encourage the rest of you to read on.
The Groundwork for a Story:
Message: what the author is trying to say to the reader about the human experience
Character Arc: how the character(s) change internally from the beginning to the end (usually related to the message)
Turning Points: 2-3 key plot points that affect this change in the character’s arc, and how.
November’s Read: Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine, by Gail Honeyman
I read this book quite a while ago, probably not long after it came out in 2017. What stayed with me most from that first read was Eleanor as a great example of an unreliable narrator. If that is something you are striving toward in your story, this is a good mentor text for you!
The Message
Disclaimer #2: authors can’t control what message a reader takes away from the story. Without talking with the author, there is no way to know what they actually intended! But this is my takeaway…
Author Gail Honeyman said in many interviews that this book started with the ideas of loneliness and social awkwardness, and how people come to be in both of these states. (Colleen and I have a great discussion about this in our book chat!) It seems to me that yes, Eleanor is both lonely and awkward at the beginning, and while her loneliness abates a bit by the end she is still her socially awkward self at the end.
When I consider the message of a book, I usually think about how the character has changed over the course of the novel, and how that change can be applied to the general human condition. In this case, Eleanor has to both acknowledge and process the trauma she experienced in childhood while also learning to tune out the voice of her mother and accept herself while letting people into her life in a genuine way without judgement for who they are. WHOOSH! That is a tall order for a novel! I’ll let you decide for yourself if it was effectively illustrated.
Character
When we talk about character arc, we start with their misbelief and then how that misbelief evolves into something better by the end. In this book, Eleanor’s misbeliefs are many, not to mention she has repressed traumatic events, so it gets complicated (hence the fact that she is an unreliable narrator). But I’m going to try to simplify it:
Misbelief: There are “right” and “wrong” ways to be.
How it changes: There are many ways to be, and they are all okay.
I’m really not sure I’m happy with that simplification. If you can say it better, please drop a note in the comments!
Turning Points
There are many turning points in any novel. I’ve chosen a few to illustrate how plot events and character arcs are tied together.
Eleanor meets Raymond. This is in some ways the catalyst of the story. There is now an unexpected person in her orbit whom she has to navigate, which forces her out of her comfort zone.
Eleanor and Raymond help Sammy. This moment on the street leads to more situations where Eleanor has to navigate social situations with people who are genuinely interested in her, and has to grapple with her own feelings about herself.
Eleanor attends the concert where she believes her fantasy relationship will finally come to fruition. Instead, events trigger her post-traumatic brain and she falls apart. This is a moment that drastically changes the tone of the story, bringing Eleanor to her knees and requiring her to either give up or rebuild.
Disclaimer #3: I am reading like a writer in an attempt to become a better writer. I’m sure there were things I missed or misunderstood. That’s why conversation is important!
Listen here to my conversation about Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine with my friend
.Let’s discuss! What observations, A-Ha’s, or questions came up for you? Let us know in the comments!
Next month’s book pick:
Notes on Your Sudden Disappearance, by Alison Espach
This title will be discussed at the end of January 2025. (Also, how is it almost 2025?!)
I hope that you are enjoying your holiday season. Remember to give yourself some grace if writing is interrupted or sporadic (or nonexistent) during this often busy time of year. It will come back.
Warmly,
Stephanie
P.S. I’ll be here when you’re ready. 🌻
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