Just three words
Raring to go with young adult goodness. And it's even current this time!
When Eleanor moves back in with her mother and step-dad Richie, she's not really expecting a happily-ever-after. When Park reluctantly shares his bus seat with the chubby new girl, he's not really expecting a relationship to blossom. But through a combination of punk music and comic books, the two gradually form a bond that transcends the typical teen romance. True, they are both vulnerable - as outsiders, they are bullied by parents and classmates alike. At first, Eleanor is doubtful of this strange and wonderful thing called "love," not having experienced much in her life before. The more single-minded Park - the optimist to Eleanor's pessimist - is more accepting. Even the taunting popular crowd can't keep them apart. But the real threat, living in Eleanor's house, might prove to be heart-breakingly real.
A straightforward, honest-to-God love story, Eleanor & Park works on one main level - and is all the better for it. Although the dynamic between them might strike readers as a tad familiar (passionate nice guy + cynical tough cookie), it's the way the characters are rendered that beckons your interest. This happens very often through dialogue, and Rowell captures the syntax and cadence of the average teen with a nimble choice of words - especially in Eleanor's case. Falling in love with the characters because they fall in love with each other isn't an easy thing to pull off, but that's just what happens here. It helps that we begin the story with similar ideas about Eleanor and Park that they have about one another. As the story continues, their maturity and growth are tied directly to each other - but not in a dysfunctional way. Park finds a way to be himself around his demanding father, and Eleanor learns to let down her guard. As I said, it's a familiar set-up (barring the abusive home life of Eleanor, which plays into the plot and affects her world view), but the attraction is in the details.
Although we get a clear and satisfying look into the two main characters' relationships, we don't always see other aspects of their lives. Rowell implies enough to have her characters appear well-rounded, although I think Park's character suffers a little from this. In a minor but glaring example, his supposed best friend drops out of the story mid-way. Ditto with the two best friends who accept Eleanor into their circle. A little more closure - or another surprise, like a revelation about mean girl Tina - would've been welcome. The climax of the plot itself has an atypical pace to it, and ultimately personal taste will dictate how effective it is; like so many events, it focuses largely on what Eleanor and Park are going through emotionally.
Let's put it this way: if you are utterly convinced and happily swept away by the love story, you will have no complaints. Rating: 4 mixed tapes out of 5.
A straightforward, honest-to-God love story, Eleanor & Park works on one main level - and is all the better for it. Although the dynamic between them might strike readers as a tad familiar (passionate nice guy + cynical tough cookie), it's the way the characters are rendered that beckons your interest. This happens very often through dialogue, and Rowell captures the syntax and cadence of the average teen with a nimble choice of words - especially in Eleanor's case. Falling in love with the characters because they fall in love with each other isn't an easy thing to pull off, but that's just what happens here. It helps that we begin the story with similar ideas about Eleanor and Park that they have about one another. As the story continues, their maturity and growth are tied directly to each other - but not in a dysfunctional way. Park finds a way to be himself around his demanding father, and Eleanor learns to let down her guard. As I said, it's a familiar set-up (barring the abusive home life of Eleanor, which plays into the plot and affects her world view), but the attraction is in the details.
Although we get a clear and satisfying look into the two main characters' relationships, we don't always see other aspects of their lives. Rowell implies enough to have her characters appear well-rounded, although I think Park's character suffers a little from this. In a minor but glaring example, his supposed best friend drops out of the story mid-way. Ditto with the two best friends who accept Eleanor into their circle. A little more closure - or another surprise, like a revelation about mean girl Tina - would've been welcome. The climax of the plot itself has an atypical pace to it, and ultimately personal taste will dictate how effective it is; like so many events, it focuses largely on what Eleanor and Park are going through emotionally.
Let's put it this way: if you are utterly convinced and happily swept away by the love story, you will have no complaints. Rating: 4 mixed tapes out of 5.
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