Gail Honeyman

Writing Style

Honeyman writes with a deceptive lightness. The surface of Eleanor Oliphant is often funny -- Eleanor's blunt observations and social missteps are genuinely charming -- but underneath, the book deals with loneliness, trauma, and the long shadow of an abusive childhood. The first-person narration is pitch-perfect: Eleanor's voice is rigid and precise in a way that tells you everything about how tightly she's holding herself together.

Where to Start

There's only one novel so far: Eleanor Oliphant Is Completely Fine. The audiobook narrated by Cathleen McCarron is outstanding. It's a relatively quick read at 336 pages.

Similar Authors

Fredrik Backman (A Man Called Ove), Rachel Joyce (The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry), Sayaka Murata (Convenience Store Woman), and Matt Haig (The Midnight Library).