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angelofthetardis's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
This is a simple story of teen love, but is so effectively told. It completely draws you in, portraying beautifully that dream-like version of budding romance where you two are the only characters of consequence in the story. The people that surround you; friends, family, classmates and colleagues are there and interact with you, affect your life and continue in their roles, but your focus is continually drawn to that person you have feelings for. In this case, I found that it didn't matter that the secondary characters weren't necessarily drawn with that much depth; they just didn't need it as they weren't as important as this growing relationship.
That being said, Eleanor's background is horrifying and, as the story progresses, it's hard to understand why her mother remains loyal to her utterly disgusting step-father. He is the only character that perhaps could have been more starkly drawn. He is a nasty piece of work, but he doesn't quite come to life enough for me to inspire that burning hatred that other literary villains of a similar ilk do.
The writing style bounces back and forth between Eleanor and Park's POVs in fairly rapid succession, but in this case it works perfectly for the story being told. You get to see the development of their relationship and their wider lives from both perspectives simultaneously, which means the shifting balance of feelings is always evident.
I understand from the author's notes why the ending is the way that it is, but if I do have one criticism it's that the end does feel a bit rushed. The resolution of the slight 'mystery' element should have a greater impact than it does, and the emotional fallout for both Eleanor and Park deserves more page space... I'm not 100% sure how it could work myself, but it seemed to me that there was an entire potential third act within those last few pages. But I'm not going to complain about the last few lines. Perfectly pitched.
This book is more about the feelings it inspires in the reader rather than its literary merits. And I definitely have all the feels after that!
Moderate: Toxic relationship, Bullying, Cursing, Sexual harassment, Alcoholism, Alcohol, and Domestic abuse
Minor: Injury/Injury detail, Sexual content, Child abuse, and Blood
addsa_'s review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.25
In summary, Eleanor & Park is a heartwarming, yet mature and dark romantic artwork.
P. D. I read the Spanish Physical edition.
Graphic: Fatphobia, Physical abuse, Emotional abuse, and Domestic abuse
Moderate: Cursing and Sexual content
Minor: Suicidal thoughts
eleanorjane_17's review
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
Minor: Sexual content and Emotional abuse
itsbumley's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.75
Graphic: Alcoholism, Domestic abuse, Fatphobia, Homophobia, Misogyny, Racism, Sexual harassment, Suicidal thoughts, Sexual content, Child abuse, Cursing, Emotional abuse, Body shaming, Violence, and Bullying
Minor: Stalking, Adult/minor relationship, Sexual violence, Sexual harassment, Incest, Pedophilia, Rape, and Sexual assault
tomime's review
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? N/A
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Graphic: Bullying and Emotional abuse
Moderate: Alcoholism, Body shaming, Domestic abuse, Fatphobia, Gaslighting, and Cursing
Minor: Suicidal thoughts and Sexual content
ailaw_'s review
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Graphic: Alcoholism, Body shaming, Domestic abuse, and Fatphobia
Minor: Sexual content
booksanna's review
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Graphic: Sexual harassment, Domestic abuse, Sexual content, and Bullying
Moderate: Body shaming, Cursing, Fatphobia, Pedophilia, and Racism
pagesbycaroline's review against another edition
- 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
Moderate: Emotional abuse, Fatphobia, Mental illness, Pedophilia, Racial slurs, Bullying, Child abuse, Body shaming, Cursing, Domestic abuse, Racism, and Suicidal thoughts
Minor: Sexual content
theworldof11's review
3.0
Graphic: Body shaming, Cursing, Racism, Alcohol, Drug abuse, Bullying, Child abuse, and Fatphobia
Moderate: Blood, Gaslighting, Sexual content, Toxic relationship, Alcoholism, Classism, Domestic abuse, Sexual harassment, and Xenophobia
Minor: Toxic friendship, War, Vomit, Animal cruelty, Biphobia, Murder, and Physical abuse
duchess16's review
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25
Graphic: Cursing
Moderate: Alcohol, Bullying, Sexual content, Abandonment, Addiction, Child abuse, Domestic abuse, Body shaming, Emotional abuse, and Fatphobia
Minor: Physical abuse