Eleanor and Park by Rainbow Rowell

Yes, I know! I’m just know reading this book. To be honest, when this book first came out and everyone was raving about it, I didn’t buy into the hype. I didn’t think it was as good as everyone said it was. Now, whether or not I agree with that is a different topic but let’s get into the synopsis for now. This book is about a boy and a girl named, you guessed it, Eleanor and Park who are in high school during the 1980s. They are both pretty typical, going through their own growing pains, but they end up meeting each other, falling for each other, and we have our story.

Just by reading that, you don’t think that this book would be all that spectacular, would you? I guess, to me, it really isn’t. Don’t shoot me! I don’t agree with the majority on this book, okay? I did think this book was good, but was it that good? No, not really. Let’s start out with the characters, and by characters, I do mean just Eleanor and Park because they are the only ones we really get to know through the book; problem number one. I know this is a stand alone, and a fairly short one, but come on now, I felt like the two main characters were the only ones we really knew. Side note, I also felt like the other characters weren't developed well, mainly because toward the end some of their actions weren't consistent with what was already established. Anyway, I felt that for this book having two main characters, one was defiantly more developed than the other and that one was Eleanor. Here's the thing, I didn't like Eleanor that much. I felt like she was detached from the story the whole time. You could just tell that Park was more invested in their relationship than she was, which I had a big problem with. Another thing was that she had very strong opinions on certain things but when she was asked why she either evaded the question or gave a lame answer like "just because." I know that this may play into the whole keeping it super realistic thing but you still can't argue that it isn't annoying. I also got the feeling that she was different from everyone else for the sake of being different. Again, annoying. I know that as we read more about her backstory it all makes more sense but her character infuriated me to no end.

As far as the plot goes, I didn't feel like it was anything new. Yes, it was interesting but not that original. The time in which it takes place and the situation Eleanor is in are the only two things that set this book apart but I don't think that's enough in this case.

I also know that many people would describe this book as being happy-sad type of book but I would call this book realistic. Now, that's not to say there weren't any happy moments in this book but there plenty of sad ones that off set them. And that's a good thing because it adds depth to the book but it wasn't enough to win me over. There are some good points such as the realism and the more serious themes throughout but I have to say, this book just didn't do it for me. Maybe I'm being overly critical due all of the hype surrounding it but I have to give it 3 out of 5 stars.