I received this book for free from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
Eleanor & Park by Rainbow Rowell Published by St. Martin's Griffin on February 26, 2013
Genres: Contemporary YA, Young Adult
Pages: 328
Format: eARC
Source: the publisher via NetGalley
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TWO MISFITS. ONE EXTRAORDINARY LOVE. It’s 1986 and two star-crossed teens are smart enough to know that first love almost never lasts, but brave and desperate enough to try. When Eleanor meets Park, you’ll remember your own first love–and just how hard it pulled you under. A cross between the iconic ’80s movie Sixteen Candles and the classic coming-of-age novel Looking for Alaska, Eleanor & Park is a brilliantly written young adult novel.
First of all, right off the bat, I have to say how much it pains me to think of ELEANOR & PARK by Rainbow Rowell as historical fiction because I was alive when it’s set (late 80s). Like, I was several years old. But what an insignificant thing that is in comparison to the HUGE AWESOMENESS that is this story. ELEANOR & PARK is one of those sad, sweet, and beautiful books that I personally find enormously satisfying and emotional. THIS is the kind of book that I read, adore, and never forget about because it’s not just about the romance between two nerdy, amazing kids. Rainbow Rowell’s YA debut is also about loss–not death, but loss–and the bittersweet loveliness of finding someplace where you don’t feel like such an awkward, broken version of yourself. And first love, with all it’s butterflies and hesitancy.
Eleanor and Park first meet on the school bus. If your school bus experiences were anything like mine, you know that this is a delicate ecosystem at work here. Popular kids in the back, outcasts and young kids in the front, and the GREAT MIDDLE, where everyone else jockeys for status. Park sits nearish to the back and is…let’s call it an acquaintance of the kids in the last few seats. He listens to his walkman and minds his own business, reading comics and punking out. Eleanor is basically shark bait for the popular kids: she wears clothes that are mismatched and crazy, she’s got flaming, unruly red hair, and is from the wrong side of town. Her first day on the bus, she roams the aisle looking for a seat, and winds up next to Park, but not really because he’s being friendly. Over time, they sit together and grow closer, slowly, as we–and Park–learn that Eleanor’s life at home is, frankly, horrible.
The thing that stands out to me even now, weeks after I’ve finished ELEANOR & PARK is the way their relationship grows. They don’t start out on a good foot; they don’t even really start as friends. They are not the same: Eleanor’s stepfather is horrid and her family is poor; Park is half Korean and solidly upper middle class. But Eleanor and Park’s relationship is full of these little, almost unbearably sweet and thoughtful moments that sometimes happen when one or the other isn’t even around ( They talk, haltingly at first, but more freely as things progress, and it becomes clear that these two kids feel the most like themselves, and less like they’re being judged, when they are together.
We get into both Eleanor and Park’s heads, and Rainbow Rowell lets both of the characters shine away from each other, too. There are very few characters in YA more indelible than Eleanor. She takes root in your heart because she’s so defiant and standoffish, and because her home life is so sad and upsetting. Despite, or possibly in spite of, those things, I found her to be really vibrant and full of personality. She loves music, and treasures small things that other kids take for granted, like batteries for her walkman and underwear that’s not held together by safety pins. Nothing is easy in Eleanor’s life, and what she does have is rarely pleasant. But she is so strong and deserving of something unsullied and special that you can’t help but be so glad for her that she has something so lovely with Park.
Park Sheridan is pretty much outstanding, friends. Now, don’t take that to mean that he’s perfect. No. Park is not at all. But he IS thoughtful, sweet, and loving towards Eleanor. At least eventually. Like I said, it takes them a while to get together. But Park is pretty awesome with Eleanor, and it’s his warmth that is just another in a long list of things that make ELEANOR & PARK so freaking enjoyable. I loved his balance of sweetness with the occasional reality of an unfriendly thought or action (like his first words to Eleanor, an exasperated, “Jesus, fuck!”). I’d read characters like him over and over again.
Friends, I’ve had Rainbow Rowell’s adult contemp, THE ATTACHMENTS, on my TBR for just about ever, so when I saw she was dipping her toe into YA with ELEANOR & PARK, I was excited. I had no way of knowing how my excitement wasn’t intense enough for this bittersweet, touching book. I’ll be buying a copy for myself and telling people about it for ages, I have no doubt. And thankfully, Rainbow Rowell has another book coming out this fall for all of us to die over! Until then, friends, RUN, DO NOT WALK, to get yourself a copy of ELEANOR & PARK.
Check out these other reviews of Eleanor & Park by Rainbow Rowell
April @ Good Books and Good Wine: “Y’all, Rainbow Rowell’s Eleanor & Park is a heartfelt, tough, beautifully written and amazing read.”
Alexa @ Alexa Loves Books: “I was rooting for them to stay together, to be together, and to overcome it all – and I believe, should you read this book, you will feel the same way.”
Asheley @ Into the Hall of Books: “I want everyone to read it and appreciate all of the words on all of the pages because they are all magnificent and add up to one heck of a story, one that I had the honor of reading, one that I want to read again, one that I don’t want to forget.”
Yes yes yes yes yes. Beautifully put, Amy!!! That’s exactly what I loved about it too – You FEEL for the characters and watch their relationship grow – One that didn’t even start as friends or even the slightest hint of liking each other. You not only get to see them grown with each other, but in their family life and as individuals. I was SO impressed with this book and it’s an instant favorite and a definite recommendation for anyone.
I am so glad that so many people are loving this book! It is so incredibly, INSANELY satisfying to read about a relationship that mirrors real life so closely–they take time more often than not, and lots of compromise and acceptance. I really loved how Eleanor and Park were so different and yet so deeply connected.
I keep hearing absolutely wonderful things about Eleanor and Park. I just picked it up from the library, so maybe I will devoted this weekend to reading it.
Also, I was alive in the 80s, too. I was a kid, well a baby and a kid, but still. The 80s doesn’t seem that long agoe to me 🙂
hahaha…I’m glad that I’m not the only person who was alive in the 80s! Although I’d bet cash money that I’m older than you, lol. It’s crazy to think of a time in my own life as historical fiction. AHHH!
But I hope you are reading Eleanor & Park!! Your library is right on top of the new releases, you lucky duck. I can’t wait to see what you think of it 🙂
I’m thrilled that you enjoyed this one too! The reason I loved it a lot was because I truly think that Rainbow did a spectacular job showcasing what a first romance is like – it seemed so authentic and believable to me. But apart from that, her stellar characterization of both Eleanor AND Park was another reason to enjoy it, and I can’t wait to read her adult novel!
(Thanks for linking to my review!)
Rainbow’s characterization WAS amazing. I always love it when we get to see a really complete picture of characters who wind up together. I don’t mind when we see more of them apart than together, at least at first. This was one of the reasons I loved The Scorpio Races so much. I think I love Eleanor & Park just as much.
I can’t wait to read The Attachments either!! Plus she’s got another YA book coming out this fall–preorder alert!
Every review I’ve read of this one so far has been exceedingly positive! Usually that would make me a bit leery of it; instead, it’s just making me want to read it MORE. Your review is so enthusiastic, Amy, with just how you described the characters to us and made them and their relationship feel REAL! This sounds like a book that gets under you skin, so I really want to be able to read it!
Molli | Once Upon a Prologue
I can see why you would be unsure of a book that’s gotten no negative reviews at all. Often, when that happens, I scour Goodreads for a review that isn’t positive and read that one first. But truly, I thought this book was so deserving of all the praise it’s getting. It’s not one of those stories where everything is neat and tidy and perfect, and I like those stories 🙂 This one DEFINITELY gets under your skin! I hope you get a chance to read it soon so I can leave an equally awesome comment on your review!!
OH AMY. I can’t even. I mean, this book touches such a personal place with me because of Eleanor’s story, it’s sad and a little but funny but mostly just awkward and painful. But so healing to read. And so when I read it, I read it with this unusual mix of salty tears and unsure laughs and just love, love, love for a story that GETS IT RIGHT. There is so much to this book on so many levels and I feel like I just want to sit with Rainbow Rowell and have coffee and probably some bread product too and tell her all of the things I appreciate about her characters, their truths, their untruths, and the things that I feel like I have re-learned from them. This is the type of book that I want to PUSH into the hands of reluctant contemporary readers so they’ll give the genre another chance, to give away as gifts, to re-read for myself, to dance around the house with, to hug when I’m finished. And I swear I’ll probably cry the ugly tears every time I read it. Rainbow Rowell will probably never really know what this story means to ME and probably tons of other people. Just a fantastic, wonderfully written, awesome story with also some fun stuff included: great music, comics, and fun/awkward first-love moments. LOVE IT SO HARD. So very hard. Great review.
Asheley, I can’t tell you how many times I read your thoughts on a book and am so amazed at how excited you make me–and I’m sure other people, too–with your feelings and enthusiasm. I love that you dance around your house with books, because I totally believe that some people might say that as a metaphor, but I’d not be shocked at all to learn that you actually DO. I <3 you.
It's one of the reasons I love reading and books as much as I do that people have reactions like you had to this book. Where it touches you and makes you think, "WOW. YES. I understand these people. We are the same." That's so special and important, and I'm so glad that you have a book like that in Eleanor & Park.
I SO love that I can be myself (and also my reading self) with you.
Also, proof of book dancing: http://instagram.com/p/U4iw-8s2Fy/ –> This is an actual picture put in this comment by me. So don’t freak out or anything. And if you don’t want to open it, I’ll tweet it to you.
Holy freaking cannoli! I cannot believe I haven’t read this book yet!!! After reading your review I am fully prepared to go out and snag myself a copy like tomorrow. Everything from it being set in the 80’s to the idea of a slow-building relationship just screams that KATE WILL ADORE THIS BOOK TO PIECES! Also, you should know that your review is made of awesome. Seriously.
YES! KATE WILL ADORE THIS BOOK TO PIECES!! And seriously, thank you so much for saying such nice things about my review. You’re a doll 🙂
Reading your review of this just takes me back to when I read it: I literally hugged my nook to me at the end, I just wasn’t quite ready to let go and I’ve been telling people IRL to check it out!
Ahh, book hugs. THE BEST THING EVER. I’ve been one of the many gushing about it online, but I know a few IRL people who would enjoy it! I can’t wait to push it on them!!
You don’t know how sad I am that I forgot my copy of this book at my parent’s house before I could read it. I get to pick it up on Easter, which is nice but all of these positive, mind-blowing reviews are killing me softly. haha. My blog partner had a strong strong reaction to this book, loving it oh so much and I hope that I can join the love train soon!
I love when books like this feature a couple that really has to grow into each other… it reminds me of my husband. (Why so many people think things happen instantly is beyond me haha so it’s nice that this is coming up more in our reads!)
AH! Oh no!! That’s the worst! At least you get to grab it soon.
I remember Magan having a really personal reaction to it, and I think lots of people are. That speaks so loudly to me about the greatness of a book. And I, too, love how we’re seeing more and more books with couples who aren’t insta-loving each other all over the place. This relationship here between Eleanor and Park is so much more realistic. I think it’s absolutely ADORABLE that it reminds you of you and your husband! I can’t wait for you to read it, Estelle! 🙂