Bookclub webchat: Join Gail Honeyman, author of Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine, *NEW DATE: WEDNESDAY 14 MARCH, 9pm*

[RachelMumsnet]

If the big chill means you're looking for indoor entertainment, put the date in your diary for our first book club author webchat which is now taking place next Wednesday, 7 March between 9 and 10pm. From the comfort and warmth of your own home you can enjoy and hour's discussion with other readers and author of Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine, Gail Honeyman, who will be answering your questions about the novel throughout the hour. Everyone who joins us on the night will be entered into a draw to win one of 10 copies of next month's book of the month: Stay with Me by Ayòbámi Adébáyò.

If you're unable to join us on the night, feel free to leave questions for Gail on this thread in advance.

Hi Gail, I won't be able to join the webchat on Wednesday but wanted to say congratulations on your first novel. Eleanor Oliphant was the first book I've read in a long time and it really rekindled my love of reading - so thank you for that.

I wanted to ask whether you developed the character of Eleanor Oliphant first and then found the story? Or did her character develop as you were writing the story? She's such an extraordinary character. I look forward to reading more of your novels.

Hi Gail. I found the novel incredibly hard to read due to my relationship with my own mother. But extremely cathartic in the end. Thank you so much for writing it.

I've just started reading this so will be watching with interest.

Won't be on the webchat but l loved your book. All my friends are reading it at their bookclubs and full of praise for it.

Hi Gail, thank you so much for doing the webchat. I can't make it, but have a question. I really enjoyed your book but wondered whether you considered omitting the abuse storyline? Although it explained to us so much about who Eleanor was, I wondered whether without it we might have been left with a more powerful narrative on modern loneliness? I appreciate this would have been a rather different novel - but am interested to know why you felt the abusive relationship was necessary? It made the book a beautiful but difficult read. Thanks again.

Initially Eleanor appears to show autistic traits but I don’t think she was on the spectrum. It started off hinting at autistic traits but in my opinion she is just avoidant, has reached out and been rejected. She has never learned about healthy relationships, never been cared for. She has built a wall around herself. It’s not autism, she’s developmentally delayed. it’s a reaction to trauma, likely RAD. Is what you were aiming for? I loved it.

I spent my birthday snowed in and snuggled up in the warm with this 😁
I had heard it was going to be a film, is this true? 🙏🏼
I’m at 85% and don’t want it to end. Will there be a sequel?

I loved this book and actually found myself sobbing at one point when she said something like "I look pretty". So touching. Would love to see it made into a movie!

Ooh forgot my question:

You captured eleanor and her traits so wonderfully i wonder if she's based on anyone you know?

Looking forward to the chat tonight

I read somewhere that you wrote about Eleanor in such a light as to take away everything negative about her. How easy/ difficult did you find that?

Is there any similarities between you and Eleanor?

HI everyone

We're so sorry to have to let you know that Gail has had something unavoidable come up and so we are going to have to reschedule the webchat tonight.

Gail sends her sincerest apologies, and we're working to try and fix a new date asap so do keep an eye on the thread for this.

Thanks to everyone who's contributed so far and apologies again

I started this book last night and have been unable to put it down! At least I'll have had to chance to finish it by the time the chat is rearranged!

Oh only seen the message now- will try to make new date.

Me too. I was ready with a question

We're so sorry the webchat was postponed last night but good news is that we've just had confirmation that Gail can definitely join us next Wednesday evening - that's Wednesday March 14th, between 9 and 10pm.

Other good news is that Eleanor Oliphant was long listed last night for the Women's Prize for Fiction - we have a sneaky feeling this is why Gail had to reschedule the webchat at such short notice - so big congratulations to Gail and to Harper Collins Uk.

Please put the date in your diary to join us with your questions next Weds - and remember there's still chance to win a copy of March book of the month if you join the webchat. See you there x

Can't make the webchat but just wanted to say many congratulations to Gail Honeyman for being longlisted for the Women's Prize. Absolutely well deserved. I really enjoyed Eleanor Oliphant. Thought she was a wonderful character and would love it if there was a sequel

How do we join the webchat? Is it a thread on Wednesday?

Just spoken to Gail's publisher who have said she's very much looking forward to joining us tonight. For those who haven't joined us for a webchat before, make sure you're logged in at 9pm and come to this thread. Gail will post to say she has arrived and then aim to get through as many questions as possible throughout the hour. Feel free to post comments and questions to Gail and also to other readers. It's an informal chat and should be a lot of fun and a great way to engage with the author.

If there's any other Qs about how it works, please post here. If not - see you later at 9pm.

Gail, I’m getting a Q in early because I’m so excited about having you on MN tonight. Your book was brilliant - Eleanor is a great character, unlikeable and loveable at once. Will you return to her in a future book? Do you know anyone with similar traits to Eleanor? Thank you for such a lovely book, despite the horrors Eleanor endured when she was young it was so lovely to read her story. 👏🏻

Hi Gail,
Another advance question as I'm unable to make the web chat later. Congratulations on the success of the book. I really enjoyed reading it and found the story compelling as it unfolded, particularly the explanations of Eleanor's childhood. I've read that the film rights were (quite rightly) hotly contested. Is it important to you that the film retains its Glasgow setting and isn't set in an American city?

How does it work if we want to ask questions about the end bearing in mind some people on this thread are still reading the book? Is it possible ?

Hi Gail, congratulations on Eleanor Oliphant getting longlisted for the Women's Prize for Fiction. How did you celebrate when you heard? Have you read any of the other books you are up against? Any particular favourites?