This review is part of Feb Feels: 7 days of Valentines event (learn more here).
Check out the other two titles I reviewed for this event!
Eleanor and Park
by Rainbow Rowell
Genre: YA, contemporary, romance
Published February 26th 2013 by St. Martin's Press
Source: Gifted
Purchase: Amazon * Barnes and Noble * Book Depository
Local purchase: Fullybooked * National Bookstore
Blurb (Goodreads):
TWO MISFITS. ONE EXTRAORDINARY LOVE.
It's 1986 and two star-crossed teens are smart enough to know that first love almost never lasts, but brave and desperate enough to try. When Eleanor meets Park, you'll remember your own first love--and just how hard it pulled you under.
A cross between the iconic '80s movie Sixteen Candles and the classic coming-of-age novel Looking for Alaska, Eleanor & Park is a brilliantly written young adult novel.
My Thoughts:
That was one short book description (above) yet an unforgettable roller coaster read.
You might think I'm a little biased because of the hype of this book and the fact that this is one of the books on top of my I'm-gonna-die-if-I-don't-get-this-book wishlist, but..I suggest think again.
Eleanor & Park wasn't the kind of book I thought it was. When I look at the cover, I think of romantic comedy, a light read. But it's not. There are times that I giggled, but most of the time, I felt something strong inside me. It's more than light touch, it's like this book dig deep inside my heart and planted a house..a home, and held my heart.
Rainbow Rowell made an intelligent move with the beginning of Eleanor & Park. I liked how their relationship progressed, and even before the actual 'going out' started. I love the chemistry. You can feel it from the tip of your fingers straight to your heart. And whenever Eleanor and Park are together, my heart beats erratically. Their love story and relationship wasn't like the fireworks-beautiful kind--like something grand is happening. Theirs is very simple. Fun. Cute. Flawed. Honest. Touching. Real. Heartfelt. It's simple but it's something you'd want to have. It was perfect because it consists of Eleanor, and Park. I didn't knew you can find true love at the age of 16.In a book.
Eleanor wasn't like all the girl leads I've read. She is not pretty, or so she thinks. She doesn't have the perfect curves, or a perfect hair, or nice and girly clothes. She doesn't wear any jewelries, a single make-up or perfume. She doesn't have her own room, she doesn't have a perfect family. She's flawed. She could look boring, ugly, and weird, and that's why mean people in her school doesn't like her and do and say bad things to her. Yet Park is crazy about her. Park is half Korean. He's not perfect either, but he have friends not like Eleanor. He had nice clothes, nice house, and romantic parents. He's a good person too, even though he's bad with Eleanor the first day they met. Park's flawed too, but he's the perfect guy a girl could wish for. He treats Eleanor with all care, respect, and love. He prefers being with Eleanor than with his long-time friends. He helps her in whatever way he can. It just broke my heart that he's actually a fictional character. I could fall in love with a guy like him. Two simple and flawed people makes this book--their relationship--stronger, unforgettable.
I'm super glad I wasn't wrong this time with Eleanor & Park. The forever wanting and waiting was worth it. But when I talk about the ending--or just think about it--I just wanted to cry. I know I'm near the end but I didn't realized until I saw the Acknowledgements page that I've read the end. Dear Rainbow, are you sure you want to end their story just like that? Would you like to write a sequel? I would like you to. Pretty please? Because if you don't, I'd really cry of wondering what happens to them. I'm dying to know right now. I want more from from Eleanor and Park. I want, I want! Huhu
Beautiful, heartfelt, lovely, and emotional read. Eleanor & Park was a really good young adult contemporary romance novel. Young readers would experience true love, adult readers would remember the true love they felt. I recommend this to all ages.
Eleanor & Park wasn't the kind of book I thought it was. When I look at the cover, I think of romantic comedy, a light read. But it's not. There are times that I giggled, but most of the time, I felt something strong inside me. It's more than light touch, it's like this book dig deep inside my heart and planted a house..a home, and held my heart.
Rainbow Rowell made an intelligent move with the beginning of Eleanor & Park. I liked how their relationship progressed, and even before the actual 'going out' started. I love the chemistry. You can feel it from the tip of your fingers straight to your heart. And whenever Eleanor and Park are together, my heart beats erratically. Their love story and relationship wasn't like the fireworks-beautiful kind--like something grand is happening. Theirs is very simple. Fun. Cute. Flawed. Honest. Touching. Real. Heartfelt. It's simple but it's something you'd want to have. It was perfect because it consists of Eleanor, and Park. I didn't knew you can find true love at the age of 16.
Eleanor wasn't like all the girl leads I've read. She is not pretty, or so she thinks. She doesn't have the perfect curves, or a perfect hair, or nice and girly clothes. She doesn't wear any jewelries, a single make-up or perfume. She doesn't have her own room, she doesn't have a perfect family. She's flawed. She could look boring, ugly, and weird, and that's why mean people in her school doesn't like her and do and say bad things to her. Yet Park is crazy about her. Park is half Korean. He's not perfect either, but he have friends not like Eleanor. He had nice clothes, nice house, and romantic parents. He's a good person too, even though he's bad with Eleanor the first day they met. Park's flawed too, but he's the perfect guy a girl could wish for. He treats Eleanor with all care, respect, and love. He prefers being with Eleanor than with his long-time friends. He helps her in whatever way he can. It just broke my heart that he's actually a fictional character. I could fall in love with a guy like him. Two simple and flawed people makes this book--their relationship--stronger, unforgettable.
I'm super glad I wasn't wrong this time with Eleanor & Park. The forever wanting and waiting was worth it. But when I talk about the ending--or just think about it--I just wanted to cry. I know I'm near the end but I didn't realized until I saw the Acknowledgements page that I've read the end. Dear Rainbow, are you sure you want to end their story just like that? Would you like to write a sequel? I would like you to. Pretty please? Because if you don't, I'd really cry of wondering what happens to them. I'm dying to know right now. I want more from from Eleanor and Park. I want, I want! Huhu
Beautiful, heartfelt, lovely, and emotional read. Eleanor & Park was a really good young adult contemporary romance novel. Young readers would experience true love, adult readers would remember the true love they felt. I recommend this to all ages.
Nope, this isn't another stupid high school romance."They weren't going to become another stupid high school romance."
- page 318, Eleanor & Park
Rating:
I absolutely loved the romance in Eleanor & Park. This book had me giggling so many times. I agree - this book is unforgettable.
ReplyDeleteDefinitely not a high school romance! This was a great book, but I was not a fan of the ending. Everything up until then was perfect though
ReplyDeleteSame here. That's why I'm wishing for a sequel, because the ending would bug me forever!
DeleteI have heard really good things about this book. I can't wait to read it!
ReplyDeleteEnjoy!
DeleteI did really enjoy this book. Rainbow Rowell has such a gift for writing. I have to say though, Fangirl was my absolute favorite by her. Maybe because Cath reminds me so much of myself. But this book was beautiful in a more touching way. I'm glad you enjoyed it. XD
ReplyDelete**Rachelle**
Fangirl is one of the books on my dying-to-read list. I hope I'd get a chance to read it SOON! :)
DeleteThis was definitely one of my favorite books. I didn't believe all the hype so I didn't read it as soon as, and it sat on my shelf for awhile. However, after I read it, I definitely saw what all the hype was about. =)
ReplyDeleteI so agree with you with that! ;)
DeleteI haven't read anything by Rainbow Rowell yet, but I sooo want to. I was also under the impression that it's a light contemporary read, so thanks for telling me otherwise. If anything, hearing it compared to Looking for Alaska and your feelings make me want to read it more.
ReplyDeleteYou definitely should! Eleanor & Park is one of the books you'll consider literary genius. ;)
DeleteTagalog time! lol. So.. Medyo bitin yung E&P. Pero sa tingin ko ganun talaga magsulat si Rainbow, tulad ng sa Attachments, sa last two chapter pa sila nagkakatuluyan. lol. Muntik pa ko umiyak kasi akala ko hindi sila magkakatuluyan. Sa E&P, akala ko magkakalimutan na lang sila. Sana nga may sequel!!
ReplyDeleteOH MY GOD. Did I just read a spoiler? Di ko pa nababasa yung Attachments eh. :(
DeleteBut I have to agree with you, bitin tong E&P. Some authors write that way. Most of the times it freaks me out.
i love this book! one of my favorites! i'll be waiting until Rainbow decides to write a sequel for this. She can't leave us with "just three words". We definitely need more. i was actually a little disappointed when i found out that it wasnt e&p that cameo-ed in Landline. But still crossing my fingers for a sequel (at least something that will let us know what happens next!)
ReplyDeleteI love it! but the end is... argh. I want to read Fangirl!
ReplyDelete