Eleanor Oliphant Is Completely Fine characters

Appears from the start

A twenty-nine-year-old accounts clerk in Glasgow who lives alone and organizes her life around strict routines. Eleanor is highly observant, literal, and unconcerned with many social conventions, but her formal confidence masks profound isolation. She avoids personal questions, bears scars from a childhood fire, and spends her weekends with frozen pizza and vodka.

First appears in chapter 2

An information-technology employee at Eleanor's office. Raymond dresses casually, smokes, and initially strikes Eleanor as disorganized, but he is patient and sociable when circumstances bring them together.

Also known as Mummy

First appears in chapter 4

Eleanor's mother, heard in the weekly telephone conversations Eleanor dreads. She is controlling, contemptuous, and skilled at finding Eleanor's vulnerabilities, reinforcing the shame and fear left by childhood abuse.

First appears in chapter 6

An elderly man whom Eleanor and Raymond see collapse in the street. Their decision to help him creates an unexpected connection between the two coworkers and draws Eleanor into the warm, informal life of his extended family.

Appears from the start

A musician in a local band whom Eleanor notices at a concert. On the strength of his appearance and stage presence, she constructs an elaborate belief that he is the ideal partner for her, despite never having met him.

First appears in chapter 17

A hairdresser Eleanor meets through Sammy's family. Friendly, direct, and comfortable with affection, Laura helps Eleanor change her appearance but also offers companionship without demanding that Eleanor perform a different personality.

Appears from the start

The owner of the design company where Eleanor has worked since leaving university. Bob values her reliability and has quietly made allowances for her difficult history, even though Eleanor tends to interpret workplace kindness as ordinary administration.

First appears in chapter 35

The counselor Eleanor begins seeing during her recovery. Maria listens without judgment and gently questions the fixed explanations Eleanor has built around her childhood, loneliness, and relationship with her mother.

First appears in chapter 40

Eleanor's younger sister, who died in the house fire they experienced as children. Eleanor's fragmented memories of Marianne and her difficulty speaking about her are central to understanding the trauma she has carried into adulthood.

First appears in chapter 34

A rescued black cat brought to Eleanor after her crisis. Glen's immediate need for food, warmth, and care gives Eleanor uncomplicated companionship and helps reestablish the daily habits of living.