Eleanor & Park, Rainbow Rowell
One word - wow! I had heard many good things about this book, just as I have heard negativereviews and I must admit I was not disappointed. This was the first Rainbow Rowell book I had read, a book I had been wanting to read for a while.
Eleanor & Park is such a heart warming book and the relationship that was being built is enough to leave you in tears - literally - leaving the book as not only heart warming but heart breaking. This young adult novel is one of realism, from the teenage awkwardness to the anxiety of change, making this a must read for the teenage audience.
Eleanor was a interesting character... In many other books I had read the main character is very kick ass but Eleanor was refreshingly different. She comes from a bad past but struggles through the best she can and portrays very clearly human nature, which was easy to relate to. She was bullied, although seemed confident in herself only for the reader to see the lack of self esteem she actually held later on in the book. She embarrasses herself multiple times and deals with it as many teenage girls would today.I must admit that although I did love her as a character, there were times I just didn't understand her or her train of thought. She made terrible decision which had me screaming at the book but it did make her all the more 'me'.
Park is a geek and I love him! He was great character that really taught you not to judge others, although at the beginning he does make that mistake himself. Park is part Korean and tries to live up to his father expectations although he doesn't quite succeed. Park is that boy on the back of the bus, headphones in, reading comic books that no one really bothered and that is just how he liked it. Park is a lovable character who lets other peoples opinions bother him so much he tries to blend in but when Eleanor shows up how seems to always be in the spotlight he can't seem to stay out of it, bringing out the anxiety every teenager holds.
Park doesn't have any experience with females and what makes him such a lovable character is how he tries to understand someone who is the complete opposite of him, someone so un understandable. He clearly cares and his journey into understanding is one that all teenagers must take and everyone would relate to.
The story will keep you on the edge of your seat, on every page and will be in your memory forever. I'm giving this book a 5/5. Absolutely amazing! A must read!
Until next time
leigh x
