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3.79 AVERAGE
3.79 AVERAGE
I started reading this book knowing that there is a lot of 'hype' surrounding it which led me to have high expectations of what to expect from this story. I would personally describe this book as like a sandwich - a really good selection of fillings between two plain slices of white bread. The beginning and end of the story felt very out of place to me, since at the beginning of the book the first impressions given of some characters, especially Park, are misleading to me, so they didn't really fit with the rest of the book. With the ending of Eleanor & Park, it felt very rushed and out of place, almost like the author was so indulged in the development of Eleanor and Park's relationship they forgot they needed to be working towards the ending. So when it came to me reading towards the end, I felt like it came so suddenly like I wasn't actually reading it or I'd accidentally picked up a different book.
However, with that said, the middle of this story, the main plot of Eleanor and Park's growing relationship, was amazing. I loved every moment of it. Rainbow Rowell does an amazing job in this book at conveying what it feels like to fall in love for the first time, and all of the ups and downs. I also love how the author brought to attention different family backgrounds and the contrasts between them, and the effects that this also had on Eleanor and Park's relationship.
So overall, I would give this book three out of five stars, because once you get past the beginning and the relationship between the two main characters starts to grow, it's really something beautiful to be a part of.
However, with that said, the middle of this story, the main plot of Eleanor and Park's growing relationship, was amazing. I loved every moment of it. Rainbow Rowell does an amazing job in this book at conveying what it feels like to fall in love for the first time, and all of the ups and downs. I also love how the author brought to attention different family backgrounds and the contrasts between them, and the effects that this also had on Eleanor and Park's relationship.
So overall, I would give this book three out of five stars, because once you get past the beginning and the relationship between the two main characters starts to grow, it's really something beautiful to be a part of.
It was good, but it was boring at times. The romance parts got a little repetitive, although I suppose it was necessary. How much can you talk about about 'touching' without getting repetitive? If it were too short, it would be not enough, like there needed to be something more. But it was still boring. Also I hated that guy called Richie! I liked the comics! I also liked Eleanor. Park was awesome with his comics and the make-up.
The pacing is pretty slow and quiet. I always hear Eleanor and Park speaking mostly in quiet, straight, regular voices. The sarcastic, mean, or smirky voice is hard to imagine because it contrasts a lot with the pacing.
I feel like some things that Eleanor and Park do are kind of unrealistic. All the affection and holding hands in the bus, and other stuff. Do people actually do that? Is that a thing? Jesus Christ, all the unrealistic YA romances! (All fiction is unrealistic, probably.)
I've noticed something about YA novels set in the 1980s but written in the 2000s. I've only read two - [b:Tell the Wolves I'm Home|12875258|Tell the Wolves I'm Home|Carol Rifka Brunt|https://d202m5krfqbpi5.cloudfront.net/books/1335450415s/12875258.jpg|18028067] and this one. They both really like short, simple sentences. Sentences from inside the characters' minds. Like this. These two books must be best friends or something. Or siblings. They're both love stories too.
Apparently YA novels set in the 1980s are a big trend.
The pacing is pretty slow and quiet. I always hear Eleanor and Park speaking mostly in quiet, straight, regular voices. The sarcastic, mean, or smirky voice is hard to imagine because it contrasts a lot with the pacing.
I feel like some things that Eleanor and Park do are kind of unrealistic. All the affection and holding hands in the bus, and other stuff. Do people actually do that? Is that a thing? Jesus Christ, all the unrealistic YA romances! (All fiction is unrealistic, probably.)
I've noticed something about YA novels set in the 1980s but written in the 2000s. I've only read two - [b:Tell the Wolves I'm Home|12875258|Tell the Wolves I'm Home|Carol Rifka Brunt|https://d202m5krfqbpi5.cloudfront.net/books/1335450415s/12875258.jpg|18028067] and this one. They both really like short, simple sentences. Sentences from inside the characters' minds. Like this. These two books must be best friends or something. Or siblings. They're both love stories too.
Apparently YA novels set in the 1980s are a big trend.
This was a lovely book. Like, I'm kind of embarrassed by how much I loved it, since I'm supposed to be grumpy and hate love stories. But this one really works. Part of it is the setting--I was there, in the 80s, just a bit younger than the main characters. I mean, no boy ever made me a mixed tape, but I made them for myself and they were awesome. I also did sit on the bus next to someone who did taekwondo (she actually went on to win a bronze medal at the Olympics, but nevermind, this is largely irrelevant). The reason the book works so well is that it really captures the essence of feeling love for the first time, and how just completely overwhelming that is. It's just a very sweet story.
I also thought the adults in the book were sufficiently multidimensional, which is nice for YA, although I did want more info about why Eleanor's mom was with her stepdad. I thought it was odd that she never tried to find out, or mentioned to the reader what she already knew (I would have believed almost anything--I just wanted to know).
I also thought the adults in the book were sufficiently multidimensional, which is nice for YA, although I did want more info about why Eleanor's mom was with her stepdad. I thought it was odd that she never tried to find out, or mentioned to the reader what she already knew (I would have believed almost anything--I just wanted to know).
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
sad
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
I loved this book. I loved that this book showed that a sixteen year old boy can love and take care of a girl. I lived that Park loved and took care of Eleanor despite or in-spite of all her problems and imperfections. I highly recommend this book!
4.5*
What can I say. I don't want to spoil so let's just say this. It's a Rainbow Rowell book, so just read it. It cute, funny and just a satisfying (spelling) read. I want more Rainbow Rowell!^^ :'(
What can I say. I don't want to spoil so let's just say this. It's a Rainbow Rowell book, so just read it. It cute, funny and just a satisfying (spelling) read. I want more Rainbow Rowell!^^ :'(
challenging
dark
emotional
sad
fast-paced
Content Warnings
Moderate: Child abuse, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse
dark
emotional
hopeful
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
dark
emotional
funny
sad
tense
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
it had its cute moments. i liked eleanor but at the same time i didn't. idk. i get that it was the 80s but it just. idk. also, why did the author use a korean surname as the first name?? it gets even more offputting that the author is white & wrote lowkey stereotypical poc characters that felt flat or not developed enough - only there to aid eleanor. we get so much ab eleanor & not enough ab park. i loved his family but i wish we could've learned more about him & his experience with racism in this mostly white community since it's brought up but never really done anything more w it. eleanor also kind of infantilizes him & it rubs me off the wrong way w how she seems to think ab him as only a pretty face & nothing more. i give this 2 stars bc i felt for her home situation & they did have cute moments, but the harder i think ab the book, the more i dislike it. yeah. idk.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcoholism, Body shaming, Bullying, Child abuse, Domestic abuse, Physical abuse, Sexual harassment
Moderate: Fatphobia
Minor: Homophobia, Sexual content