Eleanor & Park

Eleanor & Park is a young adult novel by Rainbow Rowell. The book tells the story of two misfits, Eleanor and Park, who fall in love in 1986. Eleanor is the new girl in town, struggling with her body image, the red-headed outcast who is bullied by her classmates. Park is a half-Korean teenager who is also an outsider at school in a very Caucasian city of Omaha, Nebraska. Despite their differences, Eleanor and Park find a connection through their shared love of comics and music. As their relationship develops, they must navigate the challenges of first love and the disapproval of their families and peers. The novel explores themes of love, identity, and acceptance.

The novel is set in 1986 and Rowell effectively evokes the era through the use of popular music and pop culture references that provide a nostalgic backdrop to the story. The book touches on important themes such as bullying, domestic violence, and class disparities. The novel also deals with Eleanor's family life and the abuse she suffers at home. The scenes where Eleanor's mother comes home drunk and violent are very powerful, and Rowell really makes you feel Eleanor's fear and helplessness through the text. The author also deals with the theme of love, how it can change your life, and how it can change you. 

I really liked reading this book for several reasons, first, the characters are in a way relatable. Rowell has done a great job of capturing the complexity of teenage emotions and experiences. The novel also deals with important issues sensitively and realistically and is written in a way that is heart-wrenching and hopeful. The novel will resonate with readers long after the last page is turned. The novel also has a great ending that is satisfying and emotional. Eleanor and Park is a must-read for young adults and anyone who loves teen romance novels. 

-Lynn Lee


Comments

  1. MelenJanuary 30, 2023 at 6:54 PM

    WOAH! Good job Lynn! This novel sounds really intriguing and I'm definitely going to check this out soon. I love how the relationship is set in 1986 and deals with many realistic problems with their family and their differences, but they are joined together by their shared love of music and comics. It seems like the author does a great job of expressing emotions through the pages which is perfect for this novel. Really nice job!

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