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

75 replies

RachelMumsnet · 01/03/2018 17:59

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.

Bookclub webchat: Join Gail Honeyman, author of Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine, *NEW DATE: WEDNESDAY 14 MARCH, 9pm*
OP posts:
GailHoneyman · 14/03/2018 21:22

@Belo

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?

Hello, thanks for your question! I'm glad to hear you liked this aspect of the novel - it was always my intention to try to hopefully show a realistic, platonic friendship between Eleanor and Raymond.

SallySwann · 14/03/2018 21:24

Funny and tragic at the same time, the ending seems to lend itself nicely to a sequel. Any plans?

GailHoneyman · 14/03/2018 21:26

@Celama

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 there, delighted to hear that you enjoyed it, and thanks so much for your kind words. In answer to your question, I always wanted to write, but it was my rapidly approaching 40th birthday that finally made me decide to sit down and do it - it was a case of now or never! :)

GailHoneyman · 14/03/2018 21:31

@ScribblyGum

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?

Thanks so much, that's really kind of you. I've read a few of the others on the longlist but not all of them - I'm really looking forward to reading the ones I haven't got around to yet. It was such a wonderful surprise, and I'm just thrilled to bits to be longlisted in such amazing company! :)

GailHoneyman · 14/03/2018 21:37

@BakedBeans47

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?

Great to hear you enjoyed the book - thanks so much! I wanted to show Raymond as a quietly kind and decent person. He also doesn't judge Eleanor, and he doesn't try to change her (although he supports and encourage her when she decides she wants to change). It takes Eleanor a while to appreciate his finer qualities, but she gets there in the end! :)

MNHQ
RachelMumsnet · 14/03/2018 21:38

I know there’s still quite a few questions to get through but can we sneak in the Mumsnet questions that we put to all our book club authors:

What was your favourite childhood book?

What was the last book you bought someone as a gift?

And the last book you received?

And finally - can you describe to us the room where you wrote Eleanor Oliphant?

OP posts:
GailHoneyman · 14/03/2018 21:41

@SallySwann

Funny and tragic at the same time, the ending seems to lend itself nicely to a sequel. Any plans?

Thanks for your question - a few people have asked about a possible sequel, but I'm happy that we say goodbye to the characters where we do, and leave it to readers to imagine what might happen next! :)

GColdtimer · 14/03/2018 21:45

Just coming in late as I'd forgotten about the chat.

I absolutely loved the book. Such a thought provoking story about the power of kindness. Elenor has such a distinctive voice, and the way she uses language is unusual. I'd be interested to know why you wrote her that way.

Also so excited about the film. Who would you like to see play Elenor ;if you can say)

SallySwann · 14/03/2018 21:47

So, are there plans for your next book and, if so, what will be the premise and when can we expect it?

IslandLiving365 · 14/03/2018 21:48

Hi Gail,

Congratulations on your amazing novel, I adored it. I love how you have tackled the theme of loneliness. In the book Eleanor describes loneliness as "the new cancer" Do you think that loneliness is a result of modern day life and do you think we all need a Raymond to help prevent it?

FernieB · 14/03/2018 21:49

Thanks Gail for answering the questions and I look forward to reading your next book.

bellabelly · 14/03/2018 21:49

Will you be involved in writing the screenplay for the film?

If the producers decided that they wanted to make any drastic changes (eg total change of location, like in The Girl On the Train) , would you mind? Or do you see the book and the film as being two totally separate things?

Celama · 14/03/2018 21:50

Thanks for answering Gail; aye, these 40th birthdays have a lot to answer for! All the best with your future works which I'm sure we'll hear a lot more about!

GailHoneyman · 14/03/2018 21:53

@RachelMumsnet

I know there’s still quite a few questions to get through but can we sneak in the Mumsnet questions that we put to all our book club authors:

What was your favourite childhood book?

What was the last book you bought someone as a gift?

And the last book you received?

And finally - can you describe to us the room where you wrote Eleanor Oliphant?

No problem! :)
I read all the time when I was a child (and I still do) - it's too hard to pick just one favourite....Sorry, going to have to pass on this, or else we'd be here all night while I deliberated...:)
The last book I bought as a gift was Nina Stibbe's Man at the Helm, a present for a friend who hadn't read it and who I felt sure would enjoy it.

I wrote Eleanor Oliphant in various different rooms/places, often working in cafes during my lunchbreak. I don't mind a bit of background noise! :)

GailHoneyman · 14/03/2018 21:56

@SallySwann

So, are there plans for your next book and, if so, what will be the premise and when can we expect it?

Yes, I'm working on a new book at the moment! :)

GailHoneyman · 14/03/2018 22:01

Thanks very much for all your questions! I'm really sorry that I didn't manage to answer them all, but I really appreciate you taking the time to post them, and all your kind words about the book. Really enjoyed the chat - thank you so much! :)

MNHQ
RachelMumsnet · 14/03/2018 22:01

That brings us to the end of this month's book club webchat. Thanks so much to Gail for joining us and to everyone who posted questions.

A reminder that March book of the month is Stay With Me by Ayòbámi Adébáyò. Ayòbámi will be joining us on Thursday 29 March between 9 and 10pm.

Congrats to: Sweetestthing, bellabelly, bakedbeans47, Sallyswann, FernieB, belo, Celama, Butdoyouavocado, CheeseEmouse and twofalls who have all won copies of Stay With Me. We'll be in touch in the morning to let you know how to claim your books.

Big thanks again to Gail Honeyman and to everyone who joined us tonight.

OP posts:
Booksandmags79 · 14/03/2018 22:03

I really enjoyed the book and this webchat. Looking forward to whatever comes and next and lots of luck with the women’s prize for fiction.

bellabelly · 14/03/2018 22:04

Thanks, Gail! Will look forward to your next novel - and good luck for the Women's Prize for Fiction!

highlandcoo · 14/03/2018 22:15

Thanks so much Gail. I do hope the film is set in Scotland as I loved Eleanor's voice as portrayed by Tracey Wiles.
Good luck with your next book Smile

cakeforme · 15/03/2018 23:11

Is it me? It's the first author talk I've read through but I didn't think there was much depth to the question answers. I don't feel I have much insight into the authors thoughts on the book at all. I'm enjoying the book not yet finished though.

bellabelly · 15/03/2018 23:48

@cakeforme - it was a little slow, tbh. Here are some previous web chats that I really loved - all of which were brilliant books by authors I hadn't heard of before! Sarah Moss , Kit De Waal , Ann Patchett

bellabelly · 15/03/2018 23:50

PS, I haven't finished Eleanor Oliphant yet but am absolutely gripped! Not sure how well a film could do justice to her character.

cakeforme · 16/03/2018 13:46

Thanks for sharing. Agree the links are much more like my expectation. As I said new to the book club threads this year so will keep going. Smile

CountTessa · 16/03/2018 19:15

I agree cake.... I feel sadly nothing was added, especially as I really enjoyed the book.

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