Written by Sowmya Gopi
Eleanor and Park doesn’t feature a typical high school romance as the novel introduces to you to two eponymous outcast teens. They aren’t the overly glamorous, sexy, or overrated high schools teens, but they are instead awkward and uncomfortable in their own skin kind of teens. This novel feels like a punch in the face of YA realism with its unconventional leads and story. The concept of love in this story is beautiful and it is different from the usual physically appealing and attraction concept that most books follow for a love story.
In the novel, Eleanor is the new girl, with the crazy red hair and the strange clothes. Park is the quiet Asian boy who does everything in his power to avoid bringing attention to himself: until Eleanor walks onto the bus. The two awkwardly sit together never speaking, until they come to the conclusion that they share a common interest in comics and good music. Once their barrier of silence is broken, the spark of love lights and two imperfect people manage to find solace with each other.
Both characters were so unique and well written that you feel personally intertwined within their story. Eleanor comes from a very dysfunctional family and after Eleanor’s father leaves them, Eleanor and her four siblings are forced to move into a tiny house, as their mother remarries. Their new stepfather is a beast who will stop at nothing to get rid of them one by one. Eleanor’s family life causes her to become somewhat of an introvert, but her true character always shines through. She is made to have quite a sceptical personality but deep down she knows what she wants and that she does truly love Park.
While Park has a much more stable family life, he constantly struggles for the approval of his father. However, after years of trying, Park eventually just comes into himself whether his father likes it or not. This persistence speaks volumes about his personality. While Eleanor has her doubts, Park makes it work. Their relationship is realistic and pure. With each page we realise they were meant to find each other.
Every part of the story was silky and beautiful to glide over. You can open to any page and a quote will be there, good enough to memorise. Be warned though, the ending will leave you wanting more.
Eleanor and Park is available from Amazon, Book Depository, and other good book retailers.
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Synopsis | Goodreads
Two misfits.
One extraordinary love.
Eleanor… Red hair, wrong clothes. Standing behind him until he turns his head. Lying beside him until he wakes up. Making everyone else seem drabber and flatter and never good enough…Eleanor.
Park… He knows she’ll love a song before he plays it for her. He laughs at her jokes before she ever gets to the punch line. There’s a place on his chest, just below his throat, that makes her want to keep promises…Park.
Set over the course of one school year, this is the story of two star-crossed sixteen-year-olds—smart enough to know that first love almost never lasts, but brave and desperate enough to try.
