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remindmetoread's review against another edition
- 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
5.0
This book was wonderful. Every sentence put butterflies in my stomach. Pretty much. I feel like Rainbow Rowell captured the first love experience so well. A lot better than Romeo & Juliet. It's so fantastic. So cute. So everything. I was feeling so nostalgic because I've never read a book so relatable of young love. I felt like Eleanor & Park understood me and it was so beautifully written.
Update: I stand by my original review. I still felt the same feelings reading this book 9 years a part. It just really takes me back to being in love in high school. I know there's problems in this book with race, but I really just chuck it up to the time period. The author is a white woman, so I did question if it's her place to create a perspective of a half-Korean family. Were there sensitivity readers? Is this a good representation of a Korean woman marrying a white man who came to her country for war? All that was in the back of my mind, but when I don't think too hard about it, I just love what Eleanor and Park are able to make out of their situations. It just felt so high school. How did Rainbow Rowell capture it so well? How could she transport me like that? Not that I had the exact experiences of Eleanor. It was just the feelings. It triggered giddiness for me. I was overwhelmed with heart eyes.
Graphic: Bullying, Domestic abuse, and Violence
Minor: Racial slurs, Racism, and Xenophobia
relapsedheretic's review against another edition
- 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
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
- 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 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.
Graphic: Bullying, Fatphobia, Racial slurs, and Racism
Moderate: Child abuse, Domestic abuse, and Violence
Minor: Addiction
jarthmar246's review against another edition
- 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
Moderate: Racial slurs and Racism
bettymer91's review against another edition
- 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
Graphic: Bullying, Child abuse, Physical abuse, Racial slurs, and Violence
maxgold's review against another edition
- 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
Graphic: Alcoholism, Bullying, Child abuse, Racial slurs, Racism, and Toxic friendship
Moderate: Body shaming and Homophobia
bookdxryl's review against another edition
- 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
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.
Graphic: Racial slurs and Racism
Moderate: Domestic abuse, Fatphobia, and Sexual harassment
Minor: Suicidal thoughts
rillastone's review against another edition
- 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
Graphic: Bullying and Cursing
Moderate: Domestic abuse, Racial slurs, and Racism
yoursaswell's review against another edition
- 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
Graphic: Domestic abuse and Emotional abuse
Moderate: Body shaming, Bullying, and Racial slurs
lindsayrae114's review against another edition
- 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
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.
Graphic: Alcoholism, Body shaming, Bullying, Child abuse, and Emotional abuse
Moderate: Homophobia, Racial slurs, and Toxic relationship