Rainbow Rowell’s Eleanor & Park is a standalone novel.
Eleanor has just moved into town with her mother, stepdad, brothers, and sister. It would be an understatement to stay her time in her new neighbor had a rocky start. Eventually, she falls in love with the quiet Park and the book is about the growing affection for each other.
Eleanor’s life sucks. Her mother divorced her father and married someone even worse, her new stepfather is abusive, and she received nothing but hatred on her first day. She is constantly teased for her curly red hair, overweight body style and apparel. While she doesn’t always show it to others, she is extremely insecure. She is stubborn, quiet, and introverted. The best thing about Eleanor is that she is a complex and realistic character and easy to relate too.
Park’s life is a lot better than Eleanor’s. He lives an average life with his brother, mom, and father. Park loves music and comic books. He is sweet and introverted yet passionate and loyal. Like Eleanor, he is a complex, likeable character. Both characters develop over the course of the novel.
Eleanor & Park is an amazing read. The plot is never boring and is constantly moving. The nature of their relationship makes story suspenseful and interesting. The romance is cute and heartwarming. Both Eleanor and Park are wonderfully complex characters. Each has multiple characteristics making it hard to put a label on them. Rainbow Rowell writes that is raw and passionate, but also mature, much like the teenagers who the story is about. It deals with themes of abuse, bullying, and parents. It makes it easy to sympathize and relate to the characters. The book is full of moments that will make you laugh, cry, and squeal in delight while hugging the book to your chest.