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Book Review | Eleanor and Park by Rainbow Rowell


This book. I don't even know where to begin. I don't even know what to say.

I bought this edition off Amazon, it arrived, I was intrigued, I was excited, although I did raise an eyebrow to the quote from John Green on the front cover which in true dreamy John Green fashion had stated: "Reminded me not just what it's like to be young and in love with a girl, but also what it's like to be young and in love with a book". 

'Psssssht, alright...' I had thought- I'm not really one for such sentimentalities- but I'm just going to say, I get it now. This book is an absolute gem.

The story itself tells the simple tale of one budding romance between two misfit teenagers in 1986, unfolding through many weeks of silent bus journeys and a shared appreciation for music and comic books.

There are countless things I love about this book: it's powerful, it's sexy, it's endearing, it's counter-cultural, but above all else it's raw and masterfully written. The characters are so complex and well-developed that with each turn of the page I felt every one of their sorrows, their joys, and their triumphs. I got to know Eleanor and Park so intimately that by the end of the novel they felt like lifelong friends. And I'll tell you what, this book gave me major feels- I laughed, I cried, it was a total emotional roller-coaster, but one that I never wanted to end.

There's a lot to be said for a book that makes you feel so many things so deeply, and I well believe that Rainbow Rowell's writing is the kind of material that could convert even the most religious of book snobs into young adult fiction fanatics. I'm also in love with all of her cover art, the way it's so bright and stylised. Eleanor and Park comes in a whole pile of other editions and I'm actually tempted to collect the rest of them- is that a little extreme?


Anyways, I would 100% recommend this book. It's actually topping my list of my most favourite books of all time right now. Though if you've already read Eleanor and Park I'd love to hear what you thought of it too!

15 comments

  1. I have recently read this book and loved it! I could not put it down! I know exactly what you mean about the feels - I didn't think I could like a book so much.

    Rachael at broomfie.blogspot.com

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    1. I felt exactly the same, I don't think I've ever felt such an affection for or attachment to characters before!

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  2. Ooh, you've made this sound really good! I spotted it in Waterstones recently but didn't pay it much attention, I shall have to take a closer look next time :)
    Megan x
    London Callings

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    1. Aw definitely do! I loved it so much! xx

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  3. This was such a good book! I love Rainbow Rowell's writing and I thought the way Eleanor and Park's relationship developed was so adorable.

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    1. I know me too, I just finished 'Fangirl' and though I didn't like it as much as Eleanor and Park her characters are still so well-written!

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  4. I haven't read it yet but I am so excited for it. I have heard so many good things that I want to run and buy it, as soon as possible ♥ also, about collecting different editions, just do it! I have started collecting different Catcher in The Rye editions and I really want to get them all.

    mortem blonde

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    1. Haha that's so cool and quirky, I'm glad you feel like its justified, I'm definitely going to get them now! x

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  5. I absolutely loved the first half of Eleanor & Park but after that it became a bit melodramatic and crazy. Maybe that's what love is like, truth be told I've never been in love but for me it just came off like it was a bit much. They barely knew each other and were professing their love - just seemed a bit crazy to me. I think if I read it when I was 16 I would've found no flaws in it but I'm 22 now and something about it just rubbed me the wrong way. I think I might reread it and see if my opinion changes once I've been in love myself :)

    Erin // beingerin.com

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    1. For me, it was the opposite way around, I wasn't as huge a fan of the first part because I thought it sort of all moved a little too fast and the reasons why they both started falling for each other were never really explained very well- but then I sort of got the impression that that was the idea so I don't know. Once the relationship got going though it sort of made me kind of nostalgic for my first relationship when I was 16! I think that's one reason why I liked it so much xx

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  6. I spied this on Amazon recently as I was drawn in by the illustration on the cover and I decided not to buy it, I regret it now though! Will definitely be adding this into my basket next time!

    http://shewhoisshort.blogspot.co.uk/

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    1. You definitely should, it's not a long read either so it's definitely worth a go! x

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  7. This book has been on my wishlist for ages! I just can't get myself to order it off Amazon

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  8. Great post! You've made me want to read it :) I shall be picking up a copy when I finish my current book! x

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  9. I really want to read this, have read her book 'Attachments' it's her first adult novel, set in 1999 just before all that Y2K stuff where computers and emails are just getting popular and it's a beautiful, endearing love story!

    Would really recommend it!

    Sophia x

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