Eleanor & Park

Eleanor & Park is a nostalgic tale of first love. You have your classic messed-up stubborn girl who won't open up because of all the hurt in her life (from her family), and you have the boy who just wants to know her and make it all better. Their story switches back and forth from Park's to Eleanor's point of view and is told in a quirky way to make you remember all the small and overwhelming feelings you had when you first started liking boys/girls... Park helps Eleanor escape from her family, and Eleanor teaches Park how to accept himself.

I loved the beginning of the book. It was spunky from the moment that Eleanor walked onto the bus with her patched jeans and crazy things hanging in her hair. And how she didn't care but really she did. I loved hearing about them sharing comic books and being scared to actually talk to each other. There was a great tension that was cute until about half way through.

Then I didn't like the book anymore after their first love feelings turned to obssession. I mean... weird obsessed for how old they were- 16. A lot of the feelings/thoughts they were having would be more understandable if they were 12 or 13, which to me is around the age when you first start really noticing the opposite sex, and everything is a big deal.

The end had a good twist that really got me interested again, but then just kind of ended. However, with Park being a phenomenal, I mean upstandingly phenomenal guy.

Overall, I would say that this is just an ok book. If you like cheesy, can't-think-about-anything-else young love stories, then go for it. If not, you'll probably just get annoyed half way through like me.

Previously:
Check out this interview with Rainbow Rowell about her book being banned by a Parent's Action League for obscenity in Minnesota. I already have Eleanor and Park on hold at the library, but now I'm really fired up to read it. Some people are ridiculous.