Tolog Review: Eleanor & Park

Eleanor & Park
by Rainbow Rowell
reviewed by Grave Tighe

Eleanor & Park written by Rainbow Rowell is an intense, compelling, and comedic, teenage love story with heartache and heartbreak. This love story takes place in the 80’s with Walkmans, mix tapes, and comic books, all of which are the sources of Eleanor and Park’s relationship. Throughout the story the book trades off between Eleanor’s thoughts and Park’ thoughts which gives the reader a closer, more personal connection with the main characters. As the reader I was also able to see events from either point of view creating an individual love for each character. 

Being the new girl at school sophomore year is hard enough, and Eleanor’s plump stature and eccentric clothes do not help. On the first day of school Eleanor is faced with her fear of having no place to sit on the bus. After panicked looks for a seat and almost crying, Park aversely offers Eleanor a seat. Park is an average teenager, whose, at first, only way of getting through his bus rides with Eleanor is to turn his Walkman on full blast and read his comic books. As time goes on Park realizes that Eleanor has been reading his comics over his shoulder, therefore Park starts to leave a stack of them on her seat everyday. This happens without a word being said between either of them so after many silent bus rides Parks works up the nerve to talk to her, starting their relationship talking about X-Men and The Smiths. 

Rowell has you eagerly turning each page to see what will happen next whether it’s Eleanor’s stepdad’s crude actions, Tina’s, a classmate, unexpected change of heart, or the next step in Eleanor and Park’s relationship. Eleanor & Park will have you go through a whirlwind of emotions from awe, to disappointment, to hate, to not even knowing what to feel. Rowell’s main theme in this book comes across as being cared for and having someone to care for. Eleanor and Park find care in each another showing how perfect they are for each other and how much the need each other. Overall this book will show you another view on your average, sweet, teenage love story.