Tolog Review: Eleanor and Park

Eleanor and Park
by Rainbow Rowell
reviewed by Soraya Cordero

Eleanor and Park by Rainbow Rowell is a young adult romance, but it is not your typical love story. This novel sends you off into an unorthodox love journey hosted by the protagonists Park and Eleanor. It tugs at your heart; at least it did for me. Eleanor and Park come from two different families who have nothing in common and childhoods that could not have been more different. However, they both live their lives with the feeling of inadequacy. Fate brings them together when Eleanor begins to ride the bus to school with Park. Having been rejected her entire life, it is only through her romance with Park that Eleanor discovers love, and because of Park’s selflessness Eleanor is able to escape the horrors of her life.

The novel begins with Park describing how Eleanor enters his life. He describes her as a strange girl, big and awkward and begging for attention. The story then diverts our attention to Eleanor moving back home a year after having been thrown out by her stepfather, Richie. Typical of Eleanor’s life, no one welcomes her back with open arms. Instead, Eleanor experiences abuse by Richie, an alcoholic who beats Eleanor’s mother and manipulates everyone in the family. The novel takes us through a daily routine of Eleanor and Park riding the bus. Eventually, Eleanor and Park develop a romance where they share their love of comic books and music.

Eleanor discovers that even though Park has a loving family, he also feels inadequate. His father places expectations on him without understanding who Park is. He is not tough or rugged as his father desires. Park is short and artistically inclined. It is only with Eleanor that he can express his true self and find his place in the world. As their romance blossoms, Eleanor and Park grow to truly understand each other. Park protects her and refuses to let anyone hurt her again. Although she is not immediately accepted by Park’s family, they eventually grow to love her and they understand the turmoil of her life.

Unfortunately, the love between Park and Eleanor cannot last forever. Rainbow Rowell tackles the difficult issue of abuse as we see Richie try to find every way to ruin Eleanor’s life. He cannot stand seeing Eleanor with Park and he forbids them to be together. Richie is a monster who torments Eleanor and makes her afraid for her life. As a result, Eleanor and Park find themselves unable to see each other and their lives get torn apart. Desperate for a new life and afraid that Richie will kill her, Eleanor decides she must run away. Despite knowing he might lose her forever, Park helps Eleanor escape and shows the true selfless quality of love.

Eleanor and Park is a heartwarming romance reminiscent of Romeo and Juliet. These two teenagers from very different backgrounds find a common ground and a deep-felt love. Their love blossoms but Eleanor’s family and struggles constantly tear them apart. Rainbow Rowell shows us how true love sometimes means letting someone go. Love can carry you, it can fill you with hope, and it can give you the strength to find a better place even if it means saying goodbye.