by Gail Honeyman
Published 2017
Eleanor Oliphant is thirty years old, works a quiet office job in Glasgow, eats the same lunch every day, spends every weekend alone with a bottle of vodka and frozen pizza, and is, she will be the first to tell you, completely fine. When a chance act of kindness with a disheveled IT colleague named Raymond draws her into a friendship she did not ask for, and a chain of small events forces her into the lives of strangers, the carefully maintained routines that have kept Eleanor upright begin to loosen. As they do, the reader learns why her face bears an old burn, why she has weekly phone calls with a cruel mother, and what she has been so determined not to remember. Gail Honeyman's 2017 debut novel, winner of the Costa Debut Novel Award, became one of the most widely read literary novels of the late 2010s. Tender, funny, and unflinching about loneliness and trauma, it treats the slow work of re-entering the world as the quiet heroic act it often is.
These are AI narrators you can listen to with your own EPUB on ElevenLabs or Fish Audio. How does it work?
Top voices for narrating this book
British · Middle Aged · Female · Narrative Story · Neutral
“The 'Measured and Distant' qualities perfectly capture Eleanor's socially awkward and initially detached persona, fitting her deadpan delivery.”
British · Middle Aged · Female · Narrative Story · Neutral
“Molly Piper's 'measured and consistent' delivery fits Eleanor's precise nature, while the 'neutral-to-warm' tone with 'gentle softness' can convey her initial detachment and underlying vulnerability.”
British · Middle Aged · Female · Narrative Story · Calm
“Aida Adriana's 'calm and clear' voice with 'measured delivery and natural composure' aligns well with Eleanor's precise and controlled demeanor.”
For listeners: use the Best Narrator voice above in ElevenReader or Fish Audio. Character casting is for authors producing audiobooks with studio tools.
A kind, slightly scruffy, but genuinely warm IT professional who becomes Eleanor's first real friend. His voice should be approachable and gentle.
British · Middle Aged · Male · Narrative Story · Gentle
“Rowan's 'Gentle, Soft-Spoken & Warm' traits are a direct match for Raymond's kind, approachable, and warm personality.”
British · Middle Aged · Male · Narrative Story · Gentle
“Aurel's 'Deep, Warm and Captivating' tone, combined with a gentle trait summary, suits Raymond's pleasant and kind nature.”
An elderly, frail, but good-natured man who Eleanor and Raymond help after an accident, becoming an important connection for Eleanor.
British · Old · Male · Narrative Story · Calm
“Barry's 'old, British' voice with a 'gentle' quality perfectly embodies Sammy's elderly, frail, and good-natured character.”
British · Old · Male · Narrative Story · Wise
“David's 'older British male voice, rich with warmth, and gentle, deliberate cadence' aligns well with Sammy's kind and warm disposition.”
Eleanor's manipulative and psychologically abusive mother, appearing mostly in phone calls or Eleanor's memories. Her voice should convey a chilling, controlling presence.
British · Middle Aged · Female · Narrative Story · Neutral
“The 'Measured and Distant' quality of this voice can convey a chilling, detached, and manipulative presence, fitting Laura's role as an abusive mother from Eleanor's memories.”
British · Middle Aged · Female · Narrative Story · Calm
“Aida Adriana's 'calm, clear and composed' voice, with a measured delivery, can be interpreted as a chillingly controlling and authoritative tone suitable for Laura's manipulative nature.”
A gossipy, slightly superficial colleague of Eleanor's, providing a contrast to Eleanor's reserved nature.
British · Middle Aged · Female · Narrative Story · Pleasant
“Eliza Whitmore's 'lively and fun British storytelling voice with bright energy and expressive character work' is ideal for Maria's gossipy and bright personality.”
British · Middle Aged · Female · Narrative Story · Confident
“Cheryl's 'Warm, Bright and Approachable' traits match Maria's social and gossipy nature, providing a good contrast to Eleanor.”
British · Middle Aged · Female · Narrative Story · Calm
“Carrie's 'Clear, Friendly and Bright' tone aligns well with Maria's gossipy and relatively superficial character.”