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bettymer91's review against another edition
dark
lighthearted
reflective
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? Yes
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying, Child abuse, Physical abuse, Racial slurs, and Violence
maxgold's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
relaxing
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.25
If Park wasn’t so poorly written and the racism was better managed I’d have given closer to a five star. The only thing saving it from one star was the fact that I enjoyed it when I read it. At the time of reading it would have been a 4.5, but after learning more about it it’s dropped significantly and become a book I strive to write better than when it comes to covering racism.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcoholism, Child abuse, Racial slurs, Bullying, Racism, and Toxic friendship
Moderate: Homophobia and Body shaming
bookdxryl's review
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
reflective
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
3.75
Damn, this was a good book. The relationship was
cute. The emotion was hitting just right. It was fast paced. Characters were fleshed out and mostly like-able. Plot twist was nice. This is a very well written book for most of it.
I even overlooked the weird racial characterization of the black girls and how they talked. It was a different time but idk it rubbed me the wrong way and when she kept calling him the weird asian kid. You know his name. I tried to get past that though because of it being a different time and the writing was good but idk the racism was weird. It was so unnecessary.
Then the end happened. I knew the end wouldn’t be satisfying. I wouldn’t class this as a romance. Not a happy ending. It feels so unsatisfying. I’m happy that Eleanor is safe and doing well but the fact that she just gave up on the relationship and basically erased park from her mind was so annoying and out of character.
There were times where I didn’t like Park and there were times where I didn’t like Eleanor. But I just hate when a character cuts off all contact for absolutely no reason. She had no actual reason to not call or answer his letters. It just seemed tacked on for an ambiguous ending that didn’t need to be there.
Despite that, I still liked this book. Usually, it feels like a waste of time when the ending of a romance is like this but I don’t feel like this was a waste of time. They were so cute, probably one of the cutest couples i’ve read about. Then again, I don’t consider this romance. So maybe that affects the way I feel about the story.
Damn, this was a good book. The relationship was
cute. The emotion was hitting just right. It was fast paced. Characters were fleshed out and mostly like-able. Plot twist was nice. This is a very well written book for most of it.
Then the end happened. I knew the end wouldn’t be satisfying. I wouldn’t class this as a romance. Not a happy ending. It feels so unsatisfying. I’m happy that Eleanor is safe and doing well but the fact that she just gave up on the relationship and basically erased park from her mind was so annoying and out of character.
There were times where I didn’t like Park and there were times where I didn’t like Eleanor. But I just hate when a character cuts off all contact for absolutely no reason. She had no actual reason to not call or answer his letters. It just seemed tacked on for an ambiguous ending that didn’t need to be there.
Despite that, I still liked this book. Usually, it feels like a waste of time when the ending of a romance is like this but I don’t feel like this was a waste of time. They were so cute, probably one of the cutest couples i’ve read about. Then again, I don’t consider this romance. So maybe that affects the way I feel about the story.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racism and Racial slurs
Moderate: Domestic abuse, Fatphobia, and Sexual harassment
Minor: Suicidal thoughts
amandabooktopia's review
challenging
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Content Warnings
Moderate: Body shaming, Domestic abuse, Bullying, Emotional abuse, Racial slurs, and Child abuse
rillastone's review
emotional
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? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Cursing and Bullying
Moderate: Racial slurs, Domestic abuse, and Racism
yoursaswell's review
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Emotional abuse and Domestic abuse
Moderate: Body shaming, Bullying, and Racial slurs
lindsayrae114's review against another edition
emotional
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
A lot of these reviews were really negative regarding your Eleanor treats/speaks to Park, or frustration in the lack of communication on E's end. I fully disagree. Rainbow wrote this book with a heart for a girl living in and through trauma. Eleanor's voice is accurate and tragic. I fully related to her journey.
Possible spoiler-related content below.....
I grew up in an abusive home. I was not conventionally pretty. I spent every day of my life trying to disappear and stand out at the same time. Be the good student so teachers were never worried about me. Don't get the attention of boys. Then one noticed despite my efforts. It was a full time job to fall in love and keep myself and the relationship safe at the same time.
Possible spoiler-related content below.....
I grew up in an abusive home. I was not conventionally pretty. I spent every day of my life trying to disappear and stand out at the same time. Be the good student so teachers were never worried about me. Don't get the attention of boys. Then one noticed despite my efforts. It was a full time job to fall in love and keep myself and the relationship safe at the same time.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse, Emotional abuse, Alcoholism, Body shaming, and Bullying
Moderate: Toxic relationship, Racial slurs, and Homophobia
someonestia's review against another edition
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
0.5
first of all, the book is racist. there are a lot of xenophobic comments made on behalf of the mc and his family. the other mc’s racism is excused as something funny or that she can’t help. Secondly, its quite slow and boring at times. its just not a good book.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racial slurs, Racism, Domestic abuse, and Xenophobia
Moderate: Bullying, Alcoholism, and Body shaming
lenawijn's review
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
Voor de derde keer gelezen, dit keer voor een paper over racistische ideologieën. Het boek is al langer in opspraak voor het verkeerd benaderen van interraciale relaties, het fetishizen van Aziatisch-Amerikaanse personen en het rechtvaardigen van (geïnternaliseerd) racisme. Het feit dat het boek geen tegenbeweging maakt is voor mij problematisch. Ik vind dat de onderwerpen van huiselijk geweld en pesten daarentegen wel goed besproken worden.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Cultural appropriation, Domestic abuse, Body shaming, Xenophobia, Suicidal thoughts, Fatphobia, Emotional abuse, Child abuse, Cursing, Racial slurs, Racism, Alcoholism, and Bullying
taylouse's review
emotional
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
I was honestly really hesitant to read this book. I bought it years ago with the promise I would, but it never grabbed my attention - it became a dust collector.
I am so glad I finally read it. I am glad for a leading female who isn't conventionally attractive, who is interesting, and is centre in the love story. I'm really surprised Netflix hasn't scooped this up for a mini-series, if I'm honest. It seems like the perfect material. I really enjoyed this book. After the first 100 pages, I could barely put it down.
Except, I hate the cliffhanger ending. Blah, blah, postcard, "Just three words" - that, dear friends, is a rubbish ending. In the author's note, Rowell says she hopes people might interpret it as Eleanor finally saying 'I love you' to Park, but that it is ultimately up for interpretation. Except, I couldn't possibly imagine that being the way she tells him - not to mention, for the very first time. It seems out of character for her to say something so profound on a post-card. I find it impossible to believe she wouldn't have called Park, or written to him, especially if her Aunt/Uncle are happy to provide her a phone and stamps.
Oh, and ableist and racist language is icky. Pretty sure this can be conveyed without writing literal slurs.
I am so glad I finally read it. I am glad for a leading female who isn't conventionally attractive, who is interesting, and is centre in the love story. I'm really surprised Netflix hasn't scooped this up for a mini-series, if I'm honest. It seems like the perfect material. I really enjoyed this book. After the first 100 pages, I could barely put it down.
Except, I hate the cliffhanger ending. Blah, blah, postcard, "Just three words" - that, dear friends, is a rubbish ending. In the author's note, Rowell says she hopes people might interpret it as Eleanor finally saying 'I love you' to Park, but that it is ultimately up for interpretation. Except, I couldn't possibly imagine that being the way she tells him - not to mention, for the very first time. It seems out of character for her to say something so profound on a post-card. I find it impossible to believe she wouldn't have called Park, or written to him, especially if her Aunt/Uncle are happy to provide her a phone and stamps.
Oh, and ableist and racist language is icky. Pretty sure this can be conveyed without writing literal slurs.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Domestic abuse, Racial slurs, Racism, and Fatphobia