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A review by leontyna
Eleonora i Park by Rainbow Rowell
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