Reviews tagging 'Domestic abuse'

Eleanor & Park by Rainbow Rowell

186 reviews

rageandresist's review against another edition

fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

2.5

I first read this when I was 16. A fresh coming-of-age story for my age. I loved how simple yet deep the story was. But now looking back at it, there are so many questionable views on racism and body-image; how Rowell has failed herself to highlight both issue inclusively. Instead, she somehow depicts Eleanor, as a white girl, in a position where she wishes to be other minority group just so she can feel belong with the person she likes. It's also full of ableist takes and fat-phobic hatreds toward Eleanor herself; which is too cruel for a girl that age. I mean, that's what most of us would see in reality, but why could not Rowell turn the loathes in the most body-neutrality tone as possible instead of romanticizing her sufferings to be considered as something "valuable" first? For short, it's full of white gaze and the romanticazion of self-hates.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Child abuse and Domestic abuse

manudonato's review against another edition

emotional reflective sad fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

2.5

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Bullying, Domestic abuse, Fatphobia, Physical abuse, Racism, Toxic relationship, Stalking, and Abandonment

Moderate: Addiction, Alcoholism, Homophobia, Violence, Blood, Abandonment, Alcohol, and Injury/Injury detail

katmystery's review against another edition

dark emotional sad tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

This book wrecked me. I've enjoyed Rainbow Rowell's other works, but nothing hit me as hard as Eleanor & Park. It was messy, devastating, beautiful, and real, and I want nothing but the best for these characters after the final page.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Alcoholism, Body shaming, Bullying, Child abuse, Domestic abuse, Fatphobia, Misogyny, Physical abuse, Racism, Sexism, and Sexual harassment

Moderate: Mental illness

Minor: Homophobia, Pedophilia, and Suicidal thoughts

relapsedheretic's review against another edition

emotional funny hopeful reflective sad slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

I read this again every few years, and every single time it never fails to make me both laugh and cry

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Alcoholism, Body shaming, Bullying, Cursing, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Fatphobia, Homophobia, Mental illness, Misogyny, Physical abuse, Racism, Sexism, Toxic relationship, Violence, Sexual harassment, Injury/Injury detail, and Classism

Moderate: Pedophilia, Abandonment, and Alcohol

Minor: Gun violence, Racial slurs, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Suicidal thoughts, Transphobia, Blood, and War

lindsaykjones's review against another edition

emotional lighthearted sad tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

A modern day Romeo and Juliet set in the Uber romantic city of Omaha. It’s the story of Eleanor, a high school girl trying the best to fit in despite of her poverty and very broken family, and Park, a Korean boy navigating the demands of his family and its expectations. Both find each other and their high school romance becomes all-consuming, until the limits of their families force them apart. 

This story was so beautiful, and compelling, but it has very strong themes of bullying, poverty, and abuse (of all kinds). Parts were hard to read but I’m very glad that I did. 

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Body shaming, Bullying, Child abuse, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, and Fatphobia

lisewolters's review against another edition

emotional hopeful sad medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Body shaming and Bullying

Moderate: Cursing, Domestic abuse, and Violence

Minor: Racism, Suicidal thoughts, Blood, Abandonment, and Alcohol

sydneyray521's review against another edition

emotional funny hopeful sad tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Child abuse and Domestic abuse

andreaandre02's review against another edition

emotional funny slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.25

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Addiction, Alcoholism, Body shaming, Bullying, Child abuse, Domestic abuse, Drug abuse, Emotional abuse, Fatphobia, Pedophilia, Physical abuse, Racism, and Abandonment

leontyna's review against another edition

emotional fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

3.0

I don't know how to rate it, on one hand reading this book feels like a teen experience and I liked most of the premise, on the other hand there are numerous issues with the way it's written. I read it in translation, so I wasn't even aware of some of them until I read some reviews (for example the slurs).
I picked it up from the library because I enjoyed Rowell's other books. I was aware of the problematic depiction of race in this one but I wanted to make my own opinion, so I decided to read it. Having finished it, I agree that Rowell made many unfortune choices writing it. There are parts that seem fine but on the whole I just wish Park wasn't Korean, since clearly the author didn't have much idea about the culture and there is so much explicit and subtle racism in the book. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Bullying, Fatphobia, Racial slurs, and Racism

Moderate: Child abuse, Domestic abuse, and Violence

Minor: Addiction

skybluespines's review against another edition

emotional hopeful lighthearted sad fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.25

Check the TW!

I really enjoyed this book! It was very nostalgic, reminding me of what it feels like to be a teenager with a crush and dealing with big real life things. I loved all the music and comic references, even without being familiar with the specifics of the things referenced, haha. YA romance is a genre I tend to stay away from, but I'm really glad I read this one.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Body shaming, Bullying, Fatphobia, and Sexual harassment

Moderate: Alcoholism, Child abuse, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, and Racism