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 loved your book and thought Eleanor's character was fascinating and utterly believable. It really challenges us to look at people who don't fit societies expectations of what is 'normal' in a different way.

My question is- what do you think Eleanor would have been like if she'd suffered the abuse but not the tragedy that was revealed towards the end? (Trying to avoid spoilers)

Thanks

I want to get a question in early, in case the web chat gets too hectic! I am really enjoying the book (haven't finished yet - will be racing through the pages to try and finish before 9pm!) and find Eleanor's character really fascinating. At times, I feel such sympathy for her but sometimes, the oddness of what she says (or thinks) is really comical! Did you find it hard to balance these two things or did it come easily? I particularly enjoyed her disdain for school sports and PE teachers!

Hi Gail, congratulations on your nomination.

I found Eleanor a really intriguing character. I work with kids who've experienced domestic violence and trauma and her behaviours really rang true to me. I could picture her in my setting.

I loved her friendship with Raymond and found it to be really plausible, although I desperately wanted more from it. I'm wondering as she was such an unusual character, what made you decide to get her to change her appearance to win the heart of the singer when she was seem so unaware of fashion etc.?

I enjoyed the book very much; what I particularly enjoyed was Eleanor’s wide and varied vocabulary.
Gail - how much use of a thesaurus did you need to make during the writing of the book?

Just adding my congratulations Gail - that's fantastic news!

I loved the book and really liked Eleanor, quirks and all. I did twig the ending about 2/3 of the way through but I don't feel that mattered as it helped my understanding of Eleanor. I enjoyed Eleanor's description and interpretation of office politics - very much reflected my own experience of working in an office. I read the book a few weeks ago and will have to do a quick re-read soon as it has also been chosen for my Bookclub. On that note I was wondering if you have ever been in a Bookclub and, how do you feel about your book being discussed at them?

My question:
Is Eleanor based on anybody you know?
Her character is so complex I wonder how you began?

I loved this book. I'd not read in a while and it has renewed my love of reading so thank you.

Did you feel like Eleanor was inhabiting your own head while you were writing? Did you become immersed in the character and start to see the world through Eleanor's eyes and feel her foibles imposing themselves? Was it emotionally draining or did you manage to maintain some detachment as you wrote?
thanks

Hello Gail. I know this is your first book, and written in your forties. Did you write the book because Eleanor as a character came to you and you then explored her back story, or did you have the plot in mind and then create the character of Eleanor to fit with that?

By the way, I first came across Eleanor when I heard your book being read aloud on the radio. I don't know whether you yourself read it but it was excellently done

Welcome everyone to our February Book club (albeit a little later in March). We’re really honoured that our author has been able to give us an hour of her time at what must be an incredibly busy time for her and a big warm welcome to Gail Honeyman. Big congratulations on last week’s Women’s Prize announcement – we’re thrilled that your novel is getting the accolades and recognition it so deserves.

There’s been so much discussion about Eleanor Oliphant already on this thread and I know that there are lots of questions in so let me hand over to you Gail. Welcome to Mumsnet book club...

Absolutely loved this novel. It made me laugh out loud (on a commuter train!) and then within a few seconds brought a lump to my throat. Exploring the theme of loneliness and the redemptive powers of simple friendship in such an entertaining way might encourage people to be more kind.

Hi Rachel, and hello everyone - thanks so much for the lovely comments and questions you've already posted! Hope you'll bear with me if my typing is a bit slow, and/or excuse any resulting typos! :)

@highlandcoo

Hello Gail. I know this is your first book, and written in your forties. Did you write the book because Eleanor as a character came to you and you then explored her back story, or did you have the plot in mind and then create the character of Eleanor to fit with that?

By the way, I first came across Eleanor when I heard your book being read aloud on the radio. I don't know whether you yourself read it but it was excellently done

Hello, thanks so much for your question. The character came first - once I found Eleanor's "voice", the rest flowed from that. Delighted to hear that you enjoyed the Book at Bedtime reading on Radio4! It wasn't me who narrated it, it was a wonderful, very talented actress called Tracey Wiles.

@GinandGingerBeer

My question: Is Eleanor based on anybody you know? Her character is so complex I wonder how you began?

I loved this book. I'd not read in a while and it has renewed my love of reading so thank you.

Thanks so much - that's a lovely thing to say, it's so great to hear that you enjoyed reading it (and reading) again, that's a huge compliment for any writer! :)

How did you get the idea for Eleanor's character?

I totally loved the book. I’m really pleased that Raymond and Eleanor didn’t end up as a couple, it’s nice just to have their story as a platonic friendship.

What though are we meant to think Raymond’s reasons were for befriending Eleanor? Why did he not just treat her the way her colleagues had done? Did he see something in her they didn’t? Is he just a nice guy?

I have to say that I really enjoyed your book, particularly the twist at the end. I note that you were quite late to the writing game, so what made you decide to write a novel in the first place? In a similar vein, were there any particular influences on getting you started?

@FernieB

Just adding my congratulations Gail - that's fantastic news!

I loved the book and really liked Eleanor, quirks and all. I did twig the ending about 2/3 of the way through but I don't feel that mattered as it helped my understanding of Eleanor. I enjoyed Eleanor's description and interpretation of office politics - very much reflected my own experience of working in an office. I read the book a few weeks ago and will have to do a quick re-read soon as it has also been chosen for my Bookclub. On that note I was wondering if you have ever been in a Bookclub and, how do you feel about your book being discussed at them?

Hi there, thanks so much! I'm thrilled to bits that your bookclub has chosen Eleanor Oliphant, really hope the other members enjoy reading it.

Another question if I may! I loved all the other characters (especially Raymond's mother - very warm and sympathetic). Are any of them based on people you know? Is the object of Eleanor's crush based on any particular pop star? And just for fun, who was your pop star crush?

Sorry that was 3 questions.

Hi Gail,
One of the things I liked the book that it didn't end with a romance between Raymond and Eleanor. That would have felt to cliched to me. At times I felt like the book was leading that way. Did you ever consider I introducing a romance between them and if you did, what made you change your mind?

@SazzieBean

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?

Great to hear that you enjoyed it - thanks so much! The film rights have been optioned, which is very exciting.
In terms of a sequel to the book, I'm happy that we leave Eleanor and the other characters where we do at the end of the novel (I won't say any more in case of spoilers!), and leave it to readers to imagine what might happen next :)

@FernieB

Another question if I may! I loved all the other characters (especially Raymond's mother - very warm and sympathetic). Are any of them based on people you know? Is the object of Eleanor's crush based on any particular pop star? And just for fun, who was your pop star crush?

Sorry that was 3 questions.

No problem! The characters are all fictional (including the pop star) :)

Hi Gail
I really, really enjoyed this book and it was my holiday reading on a weekend trip and then my 12 year old read it as she had been peering over my shoulder and was intrigued by some of the passages. Eleanor is fantastic and she reminded me of several people that I know who have that different filter about them where they perceive social norms differently and accept things that others wouldn't.

I'd seen this advertised so many times before I got my copy and I've been telling everyone about it. You're roughly the same age as me - has writing a novel been a lifetime ambition but with real life always getting in the way and if so, what was the catalyst for actually getting round to doing it? Congratulations on writing such a refreshing story and good luck with future awards!

Hi! One of the best books I have read in ages. Have bought copies for many friends.

Eleanor was socialky awkward and also wonderful. Do you hope that Eleanor will help people to pay more attention to people who may be lonely? Or not conform to 'the norm?

Another question from me: was the experience of writing this debut novel a long and drawn out process or quite quick? And did you have it all planned out in advance or did you make lots of changes along the way?

Finally, have you already started your next novel and can you tell us anything about it?

Where do you get your inspiration from? I am always in awe of people who feel they have a story they want to tell, but I am interested in how you work out what the story might be.