We’re so excited to introduce #AerieREAL Reads: our new book club! Use it to find new reads to love & join the discussion with your Aerie fam in the comments section.
We’re kicking it off with #AerieREAL Role Model & Tony Award Winning Actor, Ali Stroker, & her pick: Eleanor Oliphant Is Completely Fine by Gail Honeyman. Hear from Ali about why she chose this book, then use the discussion questions below as a guide for sharing your thoughts.
Why did you choose this book?
Ali: I am obsessed with it! I could not put it down. The story takes all of these twists & turns. You think you understand the main character, & then all of a sudden, things begin to unravel.
What stuck with you after you finished? (No spoilers!)
Ali: I judged this girl so hard, & throughout the book I began to learn more & more & more about her. My heart opened up & it made me feel good.
What do you hope readers take away from the story?
Ali: You should never judge a character or a person by its cover.
Did you relate to any of the characters? Tell us why!
Ali: I related to the character Raymond because he is always trying to help Eleanor. He keeps trying to get her out of the house & tries to make her feel better. I’ve definitely been there for my friends before in that kind of way—in that Raymond way.
As you’re reading Eleanor Oliphant or if you’ve already finished it, we want to know what you think! Use these discussion questions as a guide & share your thoughts in the comments section.
- How do you interpret the title of the novel?
- Why do you think Eleanor feels comfortable opening up to Raymond?
- What do you think happens to Eleanor after the book ends?
- What were your favorite moments in the book?
- “Did men ever look in the mirror, I wondered, and find themselves wanting in deeply fundamental ways? When they opened a newspaper or watched a film, were they presented with nothing but exceptionally handsome young men, and did this make them feel intimidated, inferior, because they were not as young, not as handsome?” (p. 74). Do you relate to Eleanor here? If men don’t have this experience, why not? If they do, why is it not more openly discussed?
Now it’s your turn! Comment below & share your thoughts. You can buy the book here or check it out at your local library.
How do you interpret the title of the novel?
I think that sometimes in life you need a mantra that things are going okay even when they don't feel like they are. This title speaks to me in that way–Eleanor's life is tough, but she powers through anyway.
I loved this book! I didn’t know much about it before I read it and was very pleasantly surprised by Eleanor!
What was your favorite part!? I'm so excited to have someone to talk to about this 🙂
1) The title made it seem like the main character was hiding her real emotions and feelings. Like she was telling herself she is completely fine to fool everyone including herself.
2) Raymond is this sweet and caring guy. He was patient with Eleanore and didn’t judge her as she opened up more and more.
3) I think Eleanor truly begins to heal and
actually ends up being happy with herself and a partner if she wants one. I think she will be completely fine after sometime.
4) One of my absolutely favorite laugh out loud moments was when Eleanor got her bikini wax and got angry at the person who did it. It was just so outrageous.
I also loved when Eleanor and Raymond saved that old man. I loved so many parts for different reasons. That twist at the ending was so well done and was so shocking but it truly made sense of everything.
5) Men definitely have those moments. We just don’t hear about it or see it portrayed on tv or in movies much. I think it’s because men don’t talk about those types of feelings much. Society kind of expects guys to hide those feelings and push through them where it kind of expects girls to show their feelings and compare their looks with each other if that makes sense.