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Monday, January 14, 2013

Review: Eleanor & Park by Rainbow Rowell

by:  Rainbow Rowell
published by:  St. Martin's Press
publish date:  March 5, 2013

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.
 Eleanor is the new girl at school.  Fashionably speaking, she's a walking disaster.  She wears unattractive mismatched thrift store clothes (back before it was cool like it is now) that aren't flattering to her larger than average body or flaming red curly hair.  She has a bad attitude and she isn't looking to make friends.  However, she does when she's forced to sit next to Park on the bus. 

They open up to each other over comic books and mixed-tapes.  This book takes place in 1986.  Some of today's YA readers might have to go ask their moms what mixed-tapes are and the significance they play in relationships.  They both break out of sullen, insular shells and shyly seek happiness in each other.

Eleanor & Park is a contemporary YA romance that leans more towards the realistic side of teenage romance than the drama and love triangles often seen in YA literature.  Sure it was full of the angst and overreactions and misunderstands we all know and love, but this book focused on the more singular obsession that is teenage love.

I think Eleanor & Park will be one of the quiet winners of 2013.  Be on the look out for Fangirl by Rainbow Rowell later this year.
 

1 comment:

Marce said...

I enjoyed Attachments and look forward to reading this one. Sounds great and another at the end of the year, wow.