March: Grateful I Stumbled across Eleanor Oliphant

"Sometimes a book chooses us as opposed to the other way around."

In late February or early March, I went to the bookstore to get a GACE study guide. At the time I was feeling hopeless about finding a job, and I was considering teaching to make some money--I have nothing against teachers, but it doesn't feel like my calling. Anyways, I ended up not buying the study guide because I heard it was cheaper on Amazon (spoiler alert: I didn't buy it there either because I applied for some other jobs). So, like the book nerd that I am, I found myself wandering the book store for fun. . .and eventually I found myself reading the back of a book titled Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine.

This might sound strange, but I believe sometimes books choose us. When I picked up this book, I felt something I can't quite explain. I just knew that I had to read this book, so it became my book for the month of March. In the beginning, I really didn't know what to expect. I read what the story was about, but it was vague. I was not prepared for the impact this book would have on me.

Without giving too much away, Eleanor Oliphant is a quirky character who dances to the beat of her own drum. She lacks social skills, and she often sees the world to be as odd as most people would probably find her. Eleanor goes along living a rather mundane, every-day-like life until she befriends a man named Raymond, or rather, he befriends her. Though Eleanor is secretly crushing on some "cool rocker dude," her and Raymond spend lot of time together. He recognizes her quirks, and he accepts her for exactly who she is. He's also not afraid to be blunt with her when she says one of those you-really-shouldn't-say-that-out-loud kind of statements.

It's through a series of events and her new found friendship with Raymond that the reader learns more about Eleanor, and as the story progresses, it's clear she has a poor relationship with her mother. Readers can make assumptions over the negative circumstances and possible crimes her mother has committed, but I was honestly shocked to learn the whole truth when it unfolded. I don't think most people will guess the entirety of Eleanor's past. It left quite an impression on me because of how it tackles the concept of mental health.

I suppose this is what I mean when I say sometimes a book chooses us--I'm clearly and advocate for and present voice on the subject of mental health, but I didn't expect this book to deal so heavily with the topic. I truly appreciate the author, Gail Honeyman, for including such a stigmatized concept into her work. She did so in such a "normalized" way. This story and its characters aren't over-dramatized either--the characters are simple, "normal" people who work, eat lunch, live in decent homes, go to concerts, etc. While Eleanor may lack social skills, she is still a functioning member of society. Rather, as she learns more about her past and accepts this information, readers see how she can function better socially and live a healthier daily life, mentally and emotionally.

All in all, I'm simply awe-struck by this book, and I encourage any one and every one to read it! I think it speaks truth about how people often fall victim to their pasts. What happens to us as children can affect how we live our lives when we become adults, and if we're not careful this can have serious consequences. Not all situations are as detrimental as Eleanor's, but I believe more children are exposed to emotional and mental abuse than admit to it. This book makes some wonderful statements about mental health, emotional abuse, and self-awareness that we as human should all consider. It's also just a really interesting story and a great read.