Reviews tagging 'Blood'

Eleanor & Park by Rainbow Rowell

12 reviews

angelofthetardis's review against another edition

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emotional hopeful mysterious sad fast-paced
  • 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

Eleanor wants to be invisible. But her flaming red hair and thrift store fashion make her stand out like a sore thumb. So when she steps onto the school bus and slides into the empty seat next to Park, she keeps herself to herself. Until he notices her reading over his shoulder. Issues of comics are exchanged before words are, but slowly they get to know each other through Marvel and mix tapes. With a less than harmonious home life and bullies terrorising her at school, she discovers the safety and comfort of friendship and first love... now she just has to keep it hidden.

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!
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xmia_69's review against another edition

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emotional funny lighthearted sad
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes

4.0

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antukin's review

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emotional funny reflective sad tense medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

5.0

I finished this book at around 2am of Aug 4. Because I had began reading at 11 pm, just before going to sleep. But I couldn't put it down. It was so fluffy and it makes me feel so good. And I was worried that the good feeling would be taken away from me. So I had to finish it, because I feel like I don't deserve to hold on to whatever good feeling Eleanor and Park got me feeling.

The rest of the book was so lovely, apart from the things that weren't so lovely. But the prologue hang over my head like a looming cloud, carrying a storm. It made me worry through out the good stuff. I laughed and giggled and aww'd and after a few seconds, I'd remember the prologue and wondered what would happen to trigger such. 

I love this book. I love Park. I love Eleanor. I love them together. And I wanted to protect them. They made me happy. They made me cry. They me reminisce a childhood that I never had, because I never allowed myself to just be. 

I love Park. And I love Eleanor. And I love their love. And I love that what they had became their anchor throughout the storm that were their life. 

I wish I had read this book earlier. Because it made me realize so many things that could have helped me when I was younger and none the wiser. I love this book so much.
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rylin_marie's review

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

3.5

this was probably one of the most depressing books i’ve read. 
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irisvdn's review against another edition

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

4.0

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theworldof11's review

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3.0

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schnuggeligeerdbeere44's review against another edition

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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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mintymintyminty's review

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emotional hopeful sad medium-paced
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? No
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

2.0

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shaunag's review

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

4.25

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jil_m's review against another edition

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

4.75

This book is everything! It’s good written, the characters are people you want to become friends with! (At least, some of them) It’s wholesome with a hint of love. The style of the writer is every fun to read! Definitely could recommend this book! 
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