Tolog Review: Eleanor and Park

Eleanor and Park
by Rainbow Rowell
reviewed by Katie Nuzzie

Rainbow Rowell’s novel, Eleanor and Park, is an unforgettable contemporary fiction novel that expertly creates the story of two honest characters who seem as different as black and white when they first cross paths. Eleanor’s unique fashion sense and striking red hair provide a sharp contrast to Park’s introverted personality. However, a sarcastic sense of humor and a love of music and comic books brings both Eleanor and Park together as they come to terms with their feelings. The relatability of this novel makes it an excellent read and a reliable source for the complicated qualities of love and friendship. 

The novel opens when Eleanor has moved to a new town and school, and cannot find a seat on the bus; leading Park to eventually offer the empty space next to him. This starts a unique cycle–he brings her comic books and playlists unlike anything she has at home, and she returns everything the next day without a scratch. Coming from a troubled family terrorized by the reign of a drunken stepdad, Eleanor has trouble opening up to Park, or anyone. However, as their relationship progresses, Rainbow Rowell demonstrates how much one person can change a life. This heartwarming novel explored both the awkward and beautiful sides of a teenage relationship that carried on to convey important themes, such as the challenges of growing up. 

I really related to this story because none of the characters, not even the popular kids at the back of the bus, were perfect; Eleanor and Park always managed to bring out the beauty in the flawed. Rainbow Rowell did an excellent job of making her characters seem like people in real life, for example switching the narration of the novel from Eleanor to Park, and including humorous thoughts and descriptions that lifted the tension of unlucky situations. I also really enjoyed how the characters were intelligent and aware of their surroundings, and how the author described the world using non-superficial adjectives.