Reviews tagging 'Toxic relationship'

Eleanor & Park by Rainbow Rowell

28 reviews

jordan_noel's review

emotional funny medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.75

This is a sweet story of friendship between two sort of outsiders.

The transition from hate to love between the two characters felt kind of sudden, but their friendship was so sweet and pure that I think it makes up for it.

Maybe it's just me, but many parts felt overly, almost sickly sentimental. I felt a lot of dialogue and description of their romantic endeavors was a bit excessive. Still, it was a sweet relationship and I can get over these little flaws.

I have very mixed feelings about the ending.

The characters separate and lose touch, which of course, is normal and fine, but Eleanor began to start acting completely out of character right before this point. She was distant and rude and failed to reach out even with Park's persistent letters. Then at the end, she sends him three words (unknown to us) that somehow make him smile. I don't understand why Park would forgive her after almost a full year of her denying contact. 

I think the relationship was a chance for Eleanor to appreciate herself more, learn and grow, and become independent. And for Park, it was his first, perhaps naïve, experience in love. I do like the complexity in their different interpretations of the relationship.

These characters were likable and the end was fairly realistic. Overall, this is a sweet, hopeful book, especially for teenagers who know just how brutal high school and adolescent life can be.

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Body shaming, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Fatphobia, Abandonment, Racism, and Toxic relationship

Eleanor's mom is in a toxic, abusive (physically and emotionally) relationship. Her husband has forces Eleanor out of the house twice. Eleanor's mom does not stick up for her daughter (or the other 4 children). People at school, as well as the husband, intensely body-shame Eleanor.

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. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Child abuse, Emotional abuse, Alcoholism, Body shaming, and Bullying

Moderate: Toxic relationship, Racial slurs, and Homophobia

honeyy_menu's review

adventurous emotional hopeful 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

5.0

i just reread this book for the first time since like 2014, and i loved it just as much as i did then. i love eleanor. i love park. i love this book so much. 

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Sexual harassment, Domestic abuse, Alcoholism, Misogyny, Fatphobia, and Toxic relationship

l_myers's review

emotional funny hopeful lighthearted sad medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.75

I have read this book more than a couple of times and I still love it. I would suggest reading the trigger warnings, but overall a very cute teen romance.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Emotional abuse, Body shaming, Child abuse, and Toxic relationship

Moderate: Sexual harassment

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analea_lucille's review against another edition

emotional hopeful tense 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

4.25

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Physical abuse, Child abuse, Emotional abuse, Toxic relationship, Bullying, and Domestic abuse

Moderate: Sexual harassment, Addiction, and Alcoholism

madmadmaddymad's review

dark emotional hopeful sad medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

5.0

I really enjoyed it. It’s definitely the sort of book that can remind you how intense emotions are when you are 17. 

I started crying when Park’s dad let him go, and I didn’t stop until the last page. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Bullying, Sexual harassment, and Racism

Moderate: Fatphobia, Toxic relationship, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Adult/minor relationship, and Body shaming

Minor: Alcohol, Drug use, Homophobia, and Transphobia

nalyr98's review

hopeful mysterious sad tense medium-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

2.5

It felt implicitly racist and fat phobic… the storyline was a good idea if it had it be executed better  

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Alcoholism, Suicidal thoughts, Abandonment, Body shaming, Bullying, Domestic abuse, Fatphobia, Homophobia, Mental illness, Racism, and Toxic relationship

theworldof11's review

3.0

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Content Warnings

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

schnuggeligeerdbeere44's review against another edition

emotional sad fast-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

3.75

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Abandonment, Toxic relationship, Fatphobia, Body shaming, Domestic abuse, and Emotional abuse

Moderate: Alcoholism, Alcohol, and Racism

Minor: Blood

kyoto's review

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

idk i didn’t like it was very confusing umm racism was not ok n also very ‘wannabe’ normal people vibe ok bye

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Fatphobia, Toxic relationship, Gun violence, Body shaming, Abandonment, Emotional abuse, Confinement, Racism, Domestic abuse, Pedophilia, Stalking, Physical abuse, Child abuse, and Alcoholism

literally what the fuck was it abt