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3.79 AVERAGE
3.79 AVERAGE
emotional
hopeful
reflective
sad
I remember how interesting being a teenager was. This was a good read about being on the outside of the cool kids circle. Reading along through the book, I had no expectation that the book would end the way that it did. Some like this book, some don't. Take it for a read and see what you think.
Okay, so it's been a week or so since I've read this book and I'm still not able to put my thoughts into a coherent review, so I apologize in advance for a lot of rambling and random thoughts.
Let me just start by saying that I absolutely adore Rainbow Rowell, and I don't want to upset anyone as I'm only half joking here, but I doubt it's possibly anyone could love Rainbow Rowell and/or her books as much as me.
Let me explain.
I live in Omaha, Nebraska, where Rainbow Rowell is from and where most of her books are set. Her books are sprinkled with SO MANY references to Omaha and it makes me so giddy!
Just a few:
- Eleanor and Park go to North High School (my brother went there!)
- She mentioned West Omaha (everyone from Omaha knows it's the richy rich neighborhood
- The radio station, Sweet 98 (When Eleanor and Park and talking about The Smiths and Eleanor says "It's not like Sweet 98 plays them"
- Mention of the Antiquarium bookstore and Drastic Plastic music store
((THERE ARE SO MANY MORE, but I don't have my book in front of me so I will add more later))
Basically, Rowell's books are sprinkled with so many Omaha references that you wouldn't be able to fully appreciate (the references, not the book as a whole) unless you are from Omaha, or at least familiar with life here.
I'm not at all saying that if you're not from Omaha you can't like this book or won't connect with it at all, I'm just saying that my love for Rowell's books (especially Eleanor & Park) is deeper than my love for other books because of the Omaha connection.
What I'm REALLY trying to say is: You can find a ton of books set in LA or New York or Chicago, but there are not a lot of books set in my hometown so I tend to get a bit mushy. Sorry, not sorry.
On to the actual story!
I loved it. Absolutely loved every second of it. My favorite parts where the beginning half because I really enjoyed the build up of Eleanor and Park realizing their feelings for each other. Specifically, the comic books on the bus. So funny and entertaining.
I really loved this book so much. I see a lot of myself in Eleanor, particularly the moments with Park when they talked on the phone. Their conversation sounded a lot like a few I've had with some exes. It just made me appreciate Eleanor that much more.
I really adored all the characters, particularly Park's parents. How could you not? His mom seems adorable and his dad is hilarious.
THOUGHTS ON THE ENDING:
TL;DR
This book is phenomenal and one of my favorites. Highly recommend (even if you're not from Omaha). ;)
Let me just start by saying that I absolutely adore Rainbow Rowell, and I don't want to upset anyone as I'm only half joking here, but I doubt it's possibly anyone could love Rainbow Rowell and/or her books as much as me.
Let me explain.
I live in Omaha, Nebraska, where Rainbow Rowell is from and where most of her books are set. Her books are sprinkled with SO MANY references to Omaha and it makes me so giddy!
Just a few:
- Eleanor and Park go to North High School (my brother went there!)
- She mentioned West Omaha (everyone from Omaha knows it's the richy rich neighborhood
- The radio station, Sweet 98 (When Eleanor and Park and talking about The Smiths and Eleanor says "It's not like Sweet 98 plays them"
- Mention of the Antiquarium bookstore and Drastic Plastic music store
((THERE ARE SO MANY MORE, but I don't have my book in front of me so I will add more later))
Basically, Rowell's books are sprinkled with so many Omaha references that you wouldn't be able to fully appreciate (the references, not the book as a whole) unless you are from Omaha, or at least familiar with life here.
I'm not at all saying that if you're not from Omaha you can't like this book or won't connect with it at all, I'm just saying that my love for Rowell's books (especially Eleanor & Park) is deeper than my love for other books because of the Omaha connection.
What I'm REALLY trying to say is: You can find a ton of books set in LA or New York or Chicago, but there are not a lot of books set in my hometown so I tend to get a bit mushy. Sorry, not sorry.
On to the actual story!
I loved it. Absolutely loved every second of it. My favorite parts where the beginning half because I really enjoyed the build up of Eleanor and Park realizing their feelings for each other. Specifically, the comic books on the bus. So funny and entertaining.
I really loved this book so much. I see a lot of myself in Eleanor, particularly the moments with Park when they talked on the phone. Their conversation sounded a lot like a few I've had with some exes. It just made me appreciate Eleanor that much more.
I really adored all the characters, particularly Park's parents. How could you not? His mom seems adorable and his dad is hilarious.
THOUGHTS ON THE ENDING:
Spoiler
I loved it. I loved that it wasn't "AND THEY LIVED HAPPILY EVER AFTER WITH NO OTHER CONFLICTS." I got the sense that they DO get back together. I think Eleanor sending Park the postcard meant she was on her way back to him. By the way, the postcard. I don't know if says "I love you" (which would be the typical guess for three words OR if it says "Nothing ever ends" which is the ending of the X Men comic that Park mentioned came out recently. I honestly don't know which I like better. I think the 'Nothing ever ends" because it seems more like something Eleanor would do. YAY SPECULATION.TL;DR
This book is phenomenal and one of my favorites. Highly recommend (even if you're not from Omaha). ;)
Il libro è molto semplice, forse fin troppo potrebbero dire alcuni, ma, proprio nella sua essenzialità, coglie bene - preciso come una fotografia - l'amore nell'età dell'adolescenza.
La svolta fin troppo "drama" sul finale, nel più classico stile americano young-adult, è l'unica cosa che mi ha fatto storcere un po' la bocca (pur riconoscendone un'importanza dal punto di vista dello sviluppo della storia).
Il libro scorre leggero e si fa leggere con piacere, i personaggi sono adorabili e non annoia portando avanti il punto di vista di entrambi.
La svolta fin troppo "drama" sul finale, nel più classico stile americano young-adult, è l'unica cosa che mi ha fatto storcere un po' la bocca (pur riconoscendone un'importanza dal punto di vista dello sviluppo della storia).
Il libro scorre leggero e si fa leggere con piacere, i personaggi sono adorabili e non annoia portando avanti il punto di vista di entrambi.
Eleanor & Park es sumamente dulce, hasta en alguna escena demasiado empalagoso para mi gusto. Pero en parte me gustó y en parte no. A ver como me explico...Es el primer amor y una época muy diferente a la nuestra. Sin nada de tecnología como la que hay ahora y tal. Se van conociendo y en ese camino de lo que más me gustó fueron esos pequeños detalles con los que se van conociendo, una mirada, un gesto, una palabra, etc.
Me hubiera gustado más que de parte de Eleanor se hubiera conocido más su vida dentro de casa, pero no sólo dentro de su habitación cuando tocaba dormir y eso, sino con su padrastro y su madre. Me faltó un "algo" ahí.
Por lo demás Park me encantó, es un personaje que me gustó mucho y el que va descubriendo cosas de si mismo que creía no sentir e intenta manejarlo como puede.
Al acabarlo me dejó bastante rara, porque como he dicho, en parte me gustó pero por otro lado no. Aunque entiendo eso del "saben que el primer amor no dura para siempre, pero son valientes", es que ha sido una historia muy muy buena y creo que el final me ha dejado bastante descolocada. Aunque lo acepto.
A ver si pronto en la reseña me explico mejor.
Me hubiera gustado más que de parte de Eleanor se hubiera conocido más su vida dentro de casa, pero no sólo dentro de su habitación cuando tocaba dormir y eso, sino con su padrastro y su madre. Me faltó un "algo" ahí.
Por lo demás Park me encantó, es un personaje que me gustó mucho y el que va descubriendo cosas de si mismo que creía no sentir e intenta manejarlo como puede.
Al acabarlo me dejó bastante rara, porque como he dicho, en parte me gustó pero por otro lado no. Aunque entiendo eso del "saben que el primer amor no dura para siempre, pero son valientes", es que ha sido una historia muy muy buena y creo que el final me ha dejado bastante descolocada. Aunque lo acepto.
A ver si pronto en la reseña me explico mejor.
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
This book consists entirely of dialog between 2 teenagers.. It goes round in circles and seems pointless with shallow storylines that barely hold it together. The whole time I was reading his book I was thinking to myself "what is the point".
I would've enjoyed this book as a teenager, maybe I'm just a little too old for this YA Novel.
I would've enjoyed this book as a teenager, maybe I'm just a little too old for this YA Novel.
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
“i don’t believe that seventeen year olds get happy endings. they get beginnings.” -rainbow rowell in the author’s note. love.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Alcoholism, Child abuse, Domestic abuse, Sexual harassment
emotional
sad
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Loveable characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
The first time I read this (when I was in college), I absolutely loved it. I loved the depiction of first love and how every new step emotionally and physically feels so monumental.
Now as an almost married adult, that feeling doesn’t hit quite the same. I still ADOREEE Park, he is such a fantastic MMC and I wish that Eleanor had given him more affirmation and communication (though I can get why not).
I love that Park is a skinny dude who absolutely worships a plus size girl, and that he’s so assertive and ready to have her back at all moments, while still being so emotionally available and demonstrative.
I like to think that Eleanor and Park do find each other again, more mature, and ready to fully love one another.
Now as an almost married adult, that feeling doesn’t hit quite the same. I still ADOREEE Park, he is such a fantastic MMC and I wish that Eleanor had given him more affirmation and communication (though I can get why not).
I love that Park is a skinny dude who absolutely worships a plus size girl, and that he’s so assertive and ready to have her back at all moments, while still being so emotionally available and demonstrative.
I like to think that Eleanor and Park do find each other again, more mature, and ready to fully love one another.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body shaming, Bullying, Domestic abuse, Fatphobia, Racism, Gaslighting, Sexual harassment
Moderate: Alcoholism, Misogyny, Abandonment, Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Drug use, Sexual content, Violence, Blood