Tuesday, February 19, 2013

Review: Eleanor & Park by Rainbow Rowell

Title: Eleanor & Park
Author: Rainbow Rowell
Published: March 5th 2013
Source: NetGalley
Genre: Young Adult
Buy: Amazon ~*~ Barnes & Noble
Add to your Goodreads shelf
Caution: May contain spoilers
"Bono met his wife in high school," Park says.
"So did Jerry Lee Lewis," Eleanor answers.
"I’m not kidding," he says.
"You should be," she says, "we’re sixteen."
"What about Romeo and Juliet?"
"Shallow, confused, then dead."
''I love you," Park says.
"Wherefore art thou," Eleanor answers.
"I’m not kidding," he says.
"You should be."

Set over the course of one school year in 1986, ELEANOR AND PARK is the story of two star-crossed misfits – 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.

My Thoughts:

After reading the synopsis, I thought it was a cute idea. The fact that it was set in the eighties pretty much reeled me in as far as requesting it goes. And in the end, I am glad that I was selected to read and review it.

It started off very slow and boring to me that I almost wanted to give up. Then Eleanor and Park started talking to each other, to interact when it comes to music and comics. And it became something epic. The eighties aspect was totally cool, very unique and well drawn out. The way they are together was pretty astounding.

Their story felt so innocent, and yet it was very serious. There is a lot of family matters Eleanor faces, and they are not pretty. Park doesn’t really know how bad it is because Eleanor doesn’t talk about it. The reality of life was painful and when you discover the reason a the end, yikes. Just…yikes. The lengths Park goes to in protecting Eleanor is nothing short of amazing. You can tell that the two of them really and truly do care about each other.

Eleanor & Park was a touching and endearing read. There were moments I found myself a bit frustrated with the way the characters acted, especially Eleanor, but once I reached the end, it all made sense. Eleanor and Park made a truly matchless couple. I may go on and on about certain ones, but these two were iconic in their own way. Rainbow Rowell impressed me with this deep and incomparable story.

My Rating:

8 comments:

  1. The cover does make it sound like a cute read but it sounds like it doesn't really match up with the story. I think I'll give this one a go. I'm really interested in what all the secrets are! Plus, like you I dont think I can go past the 80s references!

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    1. It really doesn't match up, does it? Oh man, 80's references are awesomeness!!! :D

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  2. Someone else read and reviewed this one. The really like it too. It sounds so cute.

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  3. Aww, "touching and endearing," hmm? Sounds like after the slow start it really becomes a good story! It's on my TBR so I remember to check it out!

    (My blog has a new home, and I'm trying to get the word out. New link is below. :))

    Molli | Once Upon a Prologue

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    1. Yep! I hope you can check it out sometime. You'll enjoy it. :)

      I have seen the new blog! Glad you shared the link just in case, I wouldn't want to miss out on keeping up with you. ;)

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  4. As often happens, yours is the only review I've read for this book. I've seen it around, but I'll be honest, I didn't pay it much attention. Now I'll have to add it to my tbr. :-)

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    1. I saw it for the first time on NetGalley, and it just seemed cute, I wasn't really sure what to expect. I may not have even gotten to it if it weren't for NetGalley. :P

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Thank you for commenting and happy reading!