Eleanor is the new girl in town, and she's never felt more alone. All mismatched clothes, mad red hair and chaotic home life, she couldn't stick out more if she tried. Then she takes the seat on the bus next to Park. Quiet, careful and - in Eleanor's eyes - impossibly cool, Park's worked out that flying under the radar is the best way to get by. Slowly, steadily, through late-night conversations and an ever-growing stack of mixed tapes, Eleanor and Park fall in love. They fall in love the way you do the first time, when you're 16, and you have nothing and everything to lose. Set over the course of one school year in 1986, Eleanor and Park is funny, sad, shocking and true - an exquisite nostalgia trip for anyone who has never forgotten their first love.
Eleanor & Park http://69.195.136.18/media/reviews/photos/thumbnail/200x285s/17/4e/12/_15745753-1349871883.jpg Featured
Editor reviews
Eleanor & Park sets itself apart from they typical young adult read on just about every level: the setting, the main characters, the touching plot. These elements combine to make a read that moves the reader and warms the heart. Whatever expectations I had going into Eleanor & Park were simply blown away, and it will no doubt be on the list of my favorite reads of 2013.
Set in the 1980s, Eleanor & Park is the story of two misfit teens in Omaha. Many YA novels purport to be about teenagers who simply do not fit in, and, truly, almost every teen feels that way inside. However, Eleanor, and to a lesser degree Park, really do stand out from the rest of the teens at their high school. Park is Asian, the only Asian kid in school, except for his brother who takes after their white father in appearance. Eleanor, well, she doesn't dress normal or look normal or act normal.
Eleanor & Park opens on Eleanor's first day at school, having been away from her family for a year. She gets on the bus that first morning and everyone eyes her thrift store men's clothing over her chubby frame. They immediately recognize her as a target of mockery, dubbing her "raghead" and "Big Red." As she searches for a seat, every available space is suddenly filled with a backpack or saved for someone. Finally, Park, just to make it stop, allows her to sit with him, regretting his kindness even as he does so, fearing that he'll earn the attention of the popular, bullying kids. I love that their first encounter is so awful, and how unflattering Park's first thoughts are. So much of high school is about avoiding embarrassment, and the awkward new girl is just that. This portrayal is so honest.
Of course, as time goes by, Eleanor and Park slowly bond, not even speaking at first. He reads comics everyday on the bus, and he begins to notice her reading along. He starts flipping pages more slowly, giving her time to read the whole thing. Then he starts loaning them to her over night. From there, they enter into conversations, whispered quietly on the bus. Their thoughts on the X-Men (feminist or not?), Batman (boring or cool?), the pirate storyline in Watchmen (to be skipped or crucial to the comic?) shift gradually into conversations on music. Park brings new life into Eleanor's drab existence with the best of 1980s pop culture.
Eleanor and her four siblings live with her mother and their drunken, abusive step-father, Richie. Her home life has no charms. The kids wear odd clothing grabbed by their mother with any extra money. They fight over toys, like boxes that fruit come in, because that's the best they ever really hope to get. All five sleep in a single room, often hiding in there from the shouts of Richie. Eleanor, especially, knows how terrible Richie can be, and she never ever feels safe.
Park becomes Eleanor's safe haven. Their relationship unfolds slowly, growing at a steady pace into a strong burn. I loved watching them learn to know one another's insecurities, and to accept them. This acceptance doesn't make the insecurities disappear entirely, but it does help. Neither Eleanor nor Park ever felt right in their own skins, and their burgeoning love comes as close to making them feel whole as anything could. I don't usually believe to much in young love, but I really hope these two crazy kids can make it, despite or because of all of the real world difficulties they have to face. Rowell doesn't overly romanticize their relationship, but she also doesn't attempt to diminish their feelings.
What Left Me Wanting More:
I can't think of a single thing I want to be different.
The Final Verdict:
Eleanor & Park is, without a doubt, one of the best books of 2013, though much of it remains. Rowell has written an incredibly moving story about first love, and about the importance of having a support network, even if it's not your family. This book is brilliant, and I will most certainly be reading any more Rowell novels I can get my hands on.
| Overall rating | 5.0 | |
| Plot | 5.0 | |
| Characters | 5.0 | |
| Writing Style | 5.0 |
Reviewed by
Christina Franke, Editor
February 26, 2013
Last updated: February 26, 2013
Top 10 Reviewer - View all my reviews (442)
An Incredibly Moving Tale of First Love
What I Loved:
Eleanor & Park sets itself apart from they typical young adult read on just about every level: the setting, the main characters, the touching plot. These elements combine to make a read that moves the reader and warms the heart. Whatever expectations I had going into Eleanor & Park were simply blown away, and it will no doubt be on the list of my favorite reads of 2013.
Set in the 1980s, Eleanor & Park is the story of two misfit teens in Omaha. Many YA novels purport to be about teenagers who simply do not fit in, and, truly, almost every teen feels that way inside. However, Eleanor, and to a lesser degree Park, really do stand out from the rest of the teens at their high school. Park is Asian, the only Asian kid in school, except for his brother who takes after their white father in appearance. Eleanor, well, she doesn't dress normal or look normal or act normal.
Eleanor & Park opens on Eleanor's first day at school, having been away from her family for a year. She gets on the bus that first morning and everyone eyes her thrift store men's clothing over her chubby frame. They immediately recognize her as a target of mockery, dubbing her "raghead" and "Big Red." As she searches for a seat, every available space is suddenly filled with a backpack or saved for someone. Finally, Park, just to make it stop, allows her to sit with him, regretting his kindness even as he does so, fearing that he'll earn the attention of the popular, bullying kids. I love that their first encounter is so awful, and how unflattering Park's first thoughts are. So much of high school is about avoiding embarrassment, and the awkward new girl is just that. This portrayal is so honest.
Of course, as time goes by, Eleanor and Park slowly bond, not even speaking at first. He reads comics everyday on the bus, and he begins to notice her reading along. He starts flipping pages more slowly, giving her time to read the whole thing. Then he starts loaning them to her over night. From there, they enter into conversations, whispered quietly on the bus. Their thoughts on the X-Men (feminist or not?), Batman (boring or cool?), the pirate storyline in Watchmen (to be skipped or crucial to the comic?) shift gradually into conversations on music. Park brings new life into Eleanor's drab existence with the best of 1980s pop culture.
Eleanor and her four siblings live with her mother and their drunken, abusive step-father, Richie. Her home life has no charms. The kids wear odd clothing grabbed by their mother with any extra money. They fight over toys, like boxes that fruit come in, because that's the best they ever really hope to get. All five sleep in a single room, often hiding in there from the shouts of Richie. Eleanor, especially, knows how terrible Richie can be, and she never ever feels safe.
Park becomes Eleanor's safe haven. Their relationship unfolds slowly, growing at a steady pace into a strong burn. I loved watching them learn to know one another's insecurities, and to accept them. This acceptance doesn't make the insecurities disappear entirely, but it does help. Neither Eleanor nor Park ever felt right in their own skins, and their burgeoning love comes as close to making them feel whole as anything could. I don't usually believe to much in young love, but I really hope these two crazy kids can make it, despite or because of all of the real world difficulties they have to face. Rowell doesn't overly romanticize their relationship, but she also doesn't attempt to diminish their feelings.
What Left Me Wanting More:
I can't think of a single thing I want to be different.
The Final Verdict:
Eleanor & Park is, without a doubt, one of the best books of 2013, though much of it remains. Rowell has written an incredibly moving story about first love, and about the importance of having a support network, even if it's not your family. This book is brilliant, and I will most certainly be reading any more Rowell novels I can get my hands on.
User reviews
Average user rating from: 5 user(s)
My one gripe about the story is Eleanor. I can understand that her home life messed with her a bit and made it difficult for her to let herself care for Park, but I still couldn't quite get past how mean she was to him all the time. Here's this guy giving him your heart and what does she do? More or less tucks it in her pocket and walks away. Park was always trying so hard to compliment Eleanor and show her how much he liked her, but she shut him down nearly every time.
| Overall rating | 4.0 | |
| Plot | 4.0 | |
| Characters | 3.0 | |
| Writing Style | 5.0 |
Eleanor and Park review
It's not often you get to read a loe story that progresses so naturally. Normally things happen way too fast. Sure, there are the occasional super fast relationships, but most start out slow while both people get to know each other a little at a time. Which is exactly what happens for Eleanor and Park. Heck, when the two first meet he thinks she looks really weird and she's not such a fan of the guy who curses at her and begrudgingly shares his bus seat.
My one gripe about the story is Eleanor. I can understand that her home life messed with her a bit and made it difficult for her to let herself care for Park, but I still couldn't quite get past how mean she was to him all the time. Here's this guy giving him your heart and what does she do? More or less tucks it in her pocket and walks away. Park was always trying so hard to compliment Eleanor and show her how much he liked her, but she shut him down nearly every time.
Eleanor and Park may be one of the sweetest books I've ever read. It made hand-holding one of the most intimate actions. I want someone to hold my hand the way Park holds Eleanor's. It was beautiful. There was so much innocence, so much sincerity in their steps towards first love. Falling in love for the first time is one of the most wonderful things in the world. It also can be the most heart breaking.
In the midst of such a sweet story, there was a honest misery to be found. The life that Eleanor lives is thankfully foreign to me. Her home is broken, unstable, and could and does erupt at a moment's notice. Her stepdad is a class-A creep, and I could not even deem him with the title "man". He feels the need to take away joy and maintain his control, with force if necessary. Her family has just about no money. I mean Eleanor doesn't even own a toothbrush. That part of Eleanor is a desolate one. Throw in the "mean girls" at school, and you have a good picture of what Eleanor faces.
Park has a home life full of love and has never had to worry about food or clothes or money. His one concern is the fact that he doesn't line up with his former-military dad's idea of what he should be like. He fails on many accounts of his dad's ideals. Still, the one thing his dad and himself agrees with is that Eleanor is worth the time. Park is sincere and eager with the innocence of youth. He loves music and comic books. Over time, he begins to bring Eleanor the things he loves, sharing them with her. He even goes as far to provide batteries for her walkman when he figures out that for some reason, she doesn't have access to them. Park though learns to see Eleanor for who she is, and the way he treats her most of the time was full of honor and true "knight in shining armor" style. Another serious plus is that Eleanor and Park talk a great deal of the time in terms of comics and music. The nerd in me sincerely enjoyed that aspect.
Ms. Rowell's writing style is clean, full of flawless wit and capturing emotions we all feel in a beautiful writing. I experienced so many of the emotions with Eleanor and Park. I was incredibly impressed with the style I found in those pages. The book captures what it means to fall in love for the first time, all the awkwardness and beauty in the moments of all the "firsts" and the joys they bring.
| Overall rating | 5.0 | |
| Plot | 5.0 | |
| Characters | 5.0 | |
| Writing Style | 5.0 |
One of the Best Books of 2013
I know I have more to read for April ARCS, but I couldn't put off Eleanor and Park anymore. It was screaming at me from my library pile. It was begging me to read it. I just had to comply.
Eleanor and Park may be one of the sweetest books I've ever read. It made hand-holding one of the most intimate actions. I want someone to hold my hand the way Park holds Eleanor's. It was beautiful. There was so much innocence, so much sincerity in their steps towards first love. Falling in love for the first time is one of the most wonderful things in the world. It also can be the most heart breaking.
In the midst of such a sweet story, there was a honest misery to be found. The life that Eleanor lives is thankfully foreign to me. Her home is broken, unstable, and could and does erupt at a moment's notice. Her stepdad is a class-A creep, and I could not even deem him with the title "man". He feels the need to take away joy and maintain his control, with force if necessary. Her family has just about no money. I mean Eleanor doesn't even own a toothbrush. That part of Eleanor is a desolate one. Throw in the "mean girls" at school, and you have a good picture of what Eleanor faces.
Park has a home life full of love and has never had to worry about food or clothes or money. His one concern is the fact that he doesn't line up with his former-military dad's idea of what he should be like. He fails on many accounts of his dad's ideals. Still, the one thing his dad and himself agrees with is that Eleanor is worth the time. Park is sincere and eager with the innocence of youth. He loves music and comic books. Over time, he begins to bring Eleanor the things he loves, sharing them with her. He even goes as far to provide batteries for her walkman when he figures out that for some reason, she doesn't have access to them. Park though learns to see Eleanor for who she is, and the way he treats her most of the time was full of honor and true "knight in shining armor" style. Another serious plus is that Eleanor and Park talk a great deal of the time in terms of comics and music. The nerd in me sincerely enjoyed that aspect.
Ms. Rowell's writing style is clean, full of flawless wit and capturing emotions we all feel in a beautiful writing. I experienced so many of the emotions with Eleanor and Park. I was incredibly impressed with the style I found in those pages. The book captures what it means to fall in love for the first time, all the awkwardness and beauty in the moments of all the "firsts" and the joys they bring.
Usually I cannot wait for a story to get right into the romance. It is of course my favorite part. But I loved that this book progressed to that slowly. I loved seeing Eleanor and Park going from not even speaking to each other on the bus to not wanting to be without each other.
Eleanor is overweight, wears thrift store clothes and doesn't even own a toothbrush. She lives with her mom, step-dad and four siblings. She has to deal with a less than good home life. This book reminded me of how horrible it can be to be a kid. Eleanor was stuck living in this home that wasn't even really a home. I felt so bad for her. When she sat next to Park on the bus and their relationship started to develop I had a sense of calm come over me. I had a feeling that everything would work out for these two even with all the bumps I knew they would have to endure.
This book is told in alternating POV's between Park and Eleanor. I am a fan of alternating POV's. It is nice to see things from someone else's view and not just have everything told from the side of one character.
The ending was amazing! It was adorable and perfect. I will definitely look for other titles but the author. The writing and characters were wonderful and well developed. I felt attached to these two by the end of the book.
Review originally posted on my blog: http://www.ramblingsofabooknerd.com/2013/04/review-eleanor-park-by-rainbow-rowell.html
| Overall rating | 4.0 | |
| Plot | 4.0 | |
| Characters | 4.0 | |
| Writing Style | 4.0 |
Eleanor & Park
I had heard such great things about this book from so many different bloggers before I picked it up. I really was hoping that I didn't expect so much from it that it would let me down. It of course did not. I loved every minute of this book. It is the perfect story of first loves.
Usually I cannot wait for a story to get right into the romance. It is of course my favorite part. But I loved that this book progressed to that slowly. I loved seeing Eleanor and Park going from not even speaking to each other on the bus to not wanting to be without each other.
Eleanor is overweight, wears thrift store clothes and doesn't even own a toothbrush. She lives with her mom, step-dad and four siblings. She has to deal with a less than good home life. This book reminded me of how horrible it can be to be a kid. Eleanor was stuck living in this home that wasn't even really a home. I felt so bad for her. When she sat next to Park on the bus and their relationship started to develop I had a sense of calm come over me. I had a feeling that everything would work out for these two even with all the bumps I knew they would have to endure.
This book is told in alternating POV's between Park and Eleanor. I am a fan of alternating POV's. It is nice to see things from someone else's view and not just have everything told from the side of one character.
The ending was amazing! It was adorable and perfect. I will definitely look for other titles but the author. The writing and characters were wonderful and well developed. I felt attached to these two by the end of the book.
Review originally posted on my blog: http://www.ramblingsofabooknerd.com/2013/04/review-eleanor-park-by-rainbow-rowell.html
The main reason I wanted to read this, was the romance. I had heard so much about it through other bloggers but I wasn't quite sure if I wanted to read it. I'm not a huge fan of "hype." But I finally gave in and said I'll just give it a try. And it was definitely worth it. I have never read about a more real, different, believable romance. Eleanor and Park together are super cute and quirky and I loved them together. What started out as just a "nice" gesture turned into a full fledged romance that was paced exactly right. I didn't feel that it was rushed into or anything. Furthermore, neither one of them was like a huge popular kid, so their love was a little more believable to me. It was the complete opposite of what other authors normally make their characters and it was refreshing to see it.
I also love, Love, LOVED the characters. Eleanor had so much more going on than I thought, but it made her everything she was. I caught myself completely disappearing into her world plenty of times. It was just that easy to connect to with her. As for Park, he is one of the most swoon worthy boys I've read about. He was different from all the stereotypes and I LOVED that about him. I like when people break the mold and he did exactly that.
What I liked most about this story was the lesson it brought up. As a little girl, my momma told me something that stuck with me always, "Love is blind." And ever since, I've held that near and dear to me. I mean I may not agree with it, but who am I to say that as a 20 year old, your 38 year old husband is disgusting or not what God may have wanted? Anyways, the point I'm making is, I love that they are an unusual couple. I was quite happy to read something that we don't see too often. Especially with all that's going on with love inequality.
In short, this book gave me all the feels. I smiled, I laughed, I got choked up, and so many other things. Eleanor and Park is a refreshing read. If you have the chance to pick it up, don't hesitate. You won't be sorry.
| Overall rating | 4.0 | |
| Plot | 3.0 | |
| Characters | 5.0 | |
| Writing Style | 4.0 |
Eleanor & Park by Rainbow Rowell
When I first saw this book, I was intrigued by the cover. Then I heard that it was set in the 80's and I knew that I needed to read it. Although I wasn't born until the late 80's, a lot of the references I was still able to relate to. But Rowell didn't go overboard with the references, so this book is enjoyable for any age.
The main reason I wanted to read this, was the romance. I had heard so much about it through other bloggers but I wasn't quite sure if I wanted to read it. I'm not a huge fan of "hype." But I finally gave in and said I'll just give it a try. And it was definitely worth it. I have never read about a more real, different, believable romance. Eleanor and Park together are super cute and quirky and I loved them together. What started out as just a "nice" gesture turned into a full fledged romance that was paced exactly right. I didn't feel that it was rushed into or anything. Furthermore, neither one of them was like a huge popular kid, so their love was a little more believable to me. It was the complete opposite of what other authors normally make their characters and it was refreshing to see it.
I also love, Love, LOVED the characters. Eleanor had so much more going on than I thought, but it made her everything she was. I caught myself completely disappearing into her world plenty of times. It was just that easy to connect to with her. As for Park, he is one of the most swoon worthy boys I've read about. He was different from all the stereotypes and I LOVED that about him. I like when people break the mold and he did exactly that.
What I liked most about this story was the lesson it brought up. As a little girl, my momma told me something that stuck with me always, "Love is blind." And ever since, I've held that near and dear to me. I mean I may not agree with it, but who am I to say that as a 20 year old, your 38 year old husband is disgusting or not what God may have wanted? Anyways, the point I'm making is, I love that they are an unusual couple. I was quite happy to read something that we don't see too often. Especially with all that's going on with love inequality.
In short, this book gave me all the feels. I smiled, I laughed, I got choked up, and so many other things. Eleanor and Park is a refreshing read. If you have the chance to pick it up, don't hesitate. You won't be sorry.
This magnificent book will fit neatly on bookshelves alongside old and new classics like The Perks of Being a Wallflower, The Catcher in the Rye, and Looking for Alaska.
| Overall rating | 5.0 | |
| Plot | 5.0 | |
| Characters | 5.0 | |
| Writing Style | 5.0 |
Book Review: Eleanor & Park by Rainbow Rowell
If John Hughes and John Green had a baby, it would be Eleanor & Park by Rainbow Rowell, a beautifully written story about two misfit teens finding love in the 1980s.
This magnificent book will fit neatly on bookshelves alongside old and new classics like The Perks of Being a Wallflower, The Catcher in the Rye, and Looking for Alaska.
Rowell elegantly captures everything awkward and uncomfortable about being a teenager, especially a teenager in love. But she also captures all the magic and wonder of that love. Eleanor & Park will remind you about everything you loved (and loathed) about your own teen romance.
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