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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
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
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.
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.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying, Fatphobia, Racial slurs, and Racism
Moderate: Child abuse, Domestic abuse, and Violence
Minor: Addiction
jarthmar246's review against another edition
dark
emotional
funny
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
Content Warnings
Moderate: Racial slurs and Racism
bettymer91's review against another edition
dark
lighthearted
reflective
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
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying, Child abuse, Physical abuse, Racial slurs, and Violence
maxgold's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
relaxing
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.25
If Park wasn’t so poorly written and the racism was better managed I’d have given closer to a five star. The only thing saving it from one star was the fact that I enjoyed it when I read it. At the time of reading it would have been a 4.5, but after learning more about it it’s dropped significantly and become a book I strive to write better than when it comes to covering racism.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcoholism, Bullying, Child abuse, Racial slurs, Racism, and Toxic friendship
Moderate: Body shaming and Homophobia
bookdxryl's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
reflective
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
3.75
Damn, this was a good book. The relationship was
cute. The emotion was hitting just right. It was fast paced. Characters were fleshed out and mostly like-able. Plot twist was nice. This is a very well written book for most of it.
I even overlooked the weird racial characterization of the black girls and how they talked. It was a different time but idk it rubbed me the wrong way and when she kept calling him the weird asian kid. You know his name. I tried to get past that though because of it being a different time and the writing was good but idk the racism was weird. It was so unnecessary.
Then the end happened. I knew the end wouldn’t be satisfying. I wouldn’t class this as a romance. Not a happy ending. It feels so unsatisfying. I’m happy that Eleanor is safe and doing well but the fact that she just gave up on the relationship and basically erased park from her mind was so annoying and out of character.
There were times where I didn’t like Park and there were times where I didn’t like Eleanor. But I just hate when a character cuts off all contact for absolutely no reason. She had no actual reason to not call or answer his letters. It just seemed tacked on for an ambiguous ending that didn’t need to be there.
Despite that, I still liked this book. Usually, it feels like a waste of time when the ending of a romance is like this but I don’t feel like this was a waste of time. They were so cute, probably one of the cutest couples i’ve read about. Then again, I don’t consider this romance. So maybe that affects the way I feel about the story.
Damn, this was a good book. The relationship was
cute. The emotion was hitting just right. It was fast paced. Characters were fleshed out and mostly like-able. Plot twist was nice. This is a very well written book for most of it.
Then the end happened. I knew the end wouldn’t be satisfying. I wouldn’t class this as a romance. Not a happy ending. It feels so unsatisfying. I’m happy that Eleanor is safe and doing well but the fact that she just gave up on the relationship and basically erased park from her mind was so annoying and out of character.
There were times where I didn’t like Park and there were times where I didn’t like Eleanor. But I just hate when a character cuts off all contact for absolutely no reason. She had no actual reason to not call or answer his letters. It just seemed tacked on for an ambiguous ending that didn’t need to be there.
Despite that, I still liked this book. Usually, it feels like a waste of time when the ending of a romance is like this but I don’t feel like this was a waste of time. They were so cute, probably one of the cutest couples i’ve read about. Then again, I don’t consider this romance. So maybe that affects the way I feel about the story.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racial slurs and Racism
Moderate: Domestic abuse, Fatphobia, and Sexual harassment
Minor: Suicidal thoughts
rillastone's review against another edition
emotional
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
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying and Cursing
Moderate: Domestic abuse, Racial slurs, and Racism
yoursaswell's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Domestic abuse and Emotional abuse
Moderate: Body shaming, Bullying, and Racial slurs
lindsayrae114's review against another edition
emotional
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
A lot of these reviews were really negative regarding your Eleanor treats/speaks to Park, or frustration in the lack of communication on E's end. I fully disagree. Rainbow wrote this book with a heart for a girl living in and through trauma. Eleanor's voice is accurate and tragic. I fully related to her journey.
Possible spoiler-related content below.....
I grew up in an abusive home. I was not conventionally pretty. I spent every day of my life trying to disappear and stand out at the same time. Be the good student so teachers were never worried about me. Don't get the attention of boys. Then one noticed despite my efforts. It was a full time job to fall in love and keep myself and the relationship safe at the same time.
Possible spoiler-related content below.....
I grew up in an abusive home. I was not conventionally pretty. I spent every day of my life trying to disappear and stand out at the same time. Be the good student so teachers were never worried about me. Don't get the attention of boys. Then one noticed despite my efforts. It was a full time job to fall in love and keep myself and the relationship safe at the same time.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcoholism, Body shaming, Bullying, Child abuse, and Emotional abuse
Moderate: Homophobia, Racial slurs, and Toxic relationship
someonestia's review against another edition
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
0.5
first of all, the book is racist. there are a lot of xenophobic comments made on behalf of the mc and his family. the other mc’s racism is excused as something funny or that she can’t help. Secondly, its quite slow and boring at times. its just not a good book.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Domestic abuse, Racial slurs, Racism, and Xenophobia
Moderate: Alcoholism, Body shaming, and Bullying