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bhnmt61's review against another edition
2.0
Since I've enjoyed other books by Rainbow Rowell, I assumed I would love this one--her most famous book-- as well. But I didn't. I had a bunch of ridiculous crushes when I was a teenager, but I never really fell in love, so I just didn't have a way in to this story. I found myself continually rolling my eyes (and skimming pages) at all the emotion.
Rowell references Romeo and Juliet more than once, and with good reason--there are some obvious parallels. When I read R&J as a ninth grader, all I could see were the star-crossed lovers doomed to tragedy because their parents didn't understand. But when I re-read it as an adult, it seemed more about how adults fail their children by getting caught up in their own agendas. R&J didn't have to end the way it did, if their parents had been paying attention and hadn't been wrapped up in their own dramas and prejudices.
There is at least some of that in E&P. Thankfully, whether Rowell intended to re-write R&J or not, the ending is indeed different. Minor spoiler ahead
So, not my cup of tea, but beautifully written as all Ms. Rowell's books are.
Rowell references Romeo and Juliet more than once, and with good reason--there are some obvious parallels. When I read R&J as a ninth grader, all I could see were the star-crossed lovers doomed to tragedy because their parents didn't understand. But when I re-read it as an adult, it seemed more about how adults fail their children by getting caught up in their own agendas. R&J didn't have to end the way it did, if their parents had been paying attention and hadn't been wrapped up in their own dramas and prejudices.
There is at least some of that in E&P. Thankfully, whether Rowell intended to re-write R&J or not, the ending is indeed different. Minor spoiler ahead
Spoiler
Whether or not E&P will stay together forever is left unsaid (and I have to say I thought the ambiguous ending was just about the best part of the book), but at least some of the adults in this story step up and start acting like adults. Also, I was OK with the lack of a "happily ever after" for E&P, but I really, really would have liked to know what happened to Eleanor's siblings.So, not my cup of tea, but beautifully written as all Ms. Rowell's books are.
heathercottledillon's review against another edition
4.0
Usually I don't care for books as romantic as this one, but I loved the characters, the dialogue, and the 80s pop culture so much that I didn't care when it got mushy. I thought the end was a little contrived, meaning that some of the characters did things that seemed unlike them and didn't make sense, for the sake of drama. But even so, this is such a charming book that it will probably end up on my best-of-the-year list anyway.
anaffpereira's review against another edition
3.0
‘Tell us, why has Romeo and Juliet survived four hundred years?’
‘Because …’ he said quietly, looking at his desk, ‘because people want to remember what it’s like to be young? And in love?’
What I expected: exactly what that quote says – a cute story about teenagers falling in love, to remember being young and in love (although I’m not that old yet!), the infatuations and the first love, the kisses and the butterflies in the stomach… all that adorable little things, but also the drama and the struggle of being a teenager; a light coming of age with a love story!
What I got:
A love story, all right… sometimes a little too intense if you ask me!
Was it possible to rape somebody’s hand?
It made her want to have his babies and give him both of her kidneys.
I want to eat this face.
What the hell?! My friends and I were 16 seven years ago, and I don’t remember us being this obsessed and weird. Jesus, episodes like these left me really uncomfortable and took away some of the book’s innocence.
Low-key racism
… that stupid Asian kid.
I love it when Eleanor mentions her mother is Danish… meanwhile, Park is Asian and everyone keeps asking him about kung fu and other stereotypes. And although Park clearly struggles with his heritage, the author never reveals the deepness of these struggles. It feels like Rowell just wanted to add some cultural diversity but never bothered to explore those issues, which may have been relevant, giving the historical content. I understand that people are ignorant and might have racist remarks, but it feels wrong not to approach the issue and show people/readers that these actions are not okay, especially in a YA book.
Too much of everything in just one character
Eleanor was too shocked to make out what he was shouting at her. FAT and FUCK and BITCH. He’d never come this close to her before. Her fear of him crushed her back.
Poverty, domestic and psychological violence, alcoholic parents (stepdad), bullying, self-image issues… Unfortunately, Eleanor suffers from it all, which takes away some of her character realness, turning her into some sort of caricature.
These are serious problems; when the author puts them all together, they become way to bleak and inappropriate for this book. Even worse, it seems to me that these topics were a bit mishandled and that justice wasn’t made by the end of the book. Unfortunately, I get this feeling that Eleanor’s struggles were only meant to trigger the book’s climax and denouement and make everything sadder… and that is just wrong.
Overall, this book was rather different from what I was expecting. Still, I enjoyed it a whole lot! It made me recall mostly good things about my high school years – how everything seemed exciting and new, how some moments felt they’d last forever, while some others seemed to slip way too fast… and love! Young true love! It was especially heart-warming to read about the first steps of Eleanor and Park’s relationship. Nevertheless, the book directly referenced serious issues that should have been correctly explored and dealt with by the author, which didn’t happen. They were just too much for this book, hence my rating.
zoeyfawn's review against another edition
2.0
I have to say it was hard to finish this book. It just was too much of a predictable story and it was boring. I don't exactly know why this book is so talked about.
cateconut's review against another edition
Apetece-me chorar.
Apetece-me chorar depois daquele final; como é possível eu viver o resto da minha vida sem estes dois?
Que livro tão querido, tão querido mesmo. Não tenho nenhum defeito a apontar. Apaixonei-me pelo Park, adorei a Eleanor. A história deles foi linda.
Queria mais. Queria ler muito mais.
Apetece-me chorar depois daquele final; como é possível eu viver o resto da minha vida sem estes dois?
Que livro tão querido, tão querido mesmo. Não tenho nenhum defeito a apontar. Apaixonei-me pelo Park, adorei a Eleanor. A história deles foi linda.
Queria mais. Queria ler muito mais.
curiouslyjade's review against another edition
5.0
Didn't want this beautiful book to end. Rowell's rendition of first love is heart-goes-pitter-patter perfect, and boy, she doesn't pull the punches when it comes to feels.
gabyadams's review against another edition
2.0
who let wattpad writers get their work published part 2