71 pages • 2 hours read •
Eleanor and Park
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Book Brief
336
Novel • Fiction
Omaha, Nebraska • 1980s
2012
St. Martin's Press
YA
13-18 years
Super Short Summary
In Eleanor and Park, two misfit teenagers, Park and Eleanor, bond over shared bus rides, comic books, and mix-tapes, forming a deep friendship that evolves into love despite coming from vastly different backgrounds; Park's stable, loving middle-class family contrasts with Eleanor's abusive household. Sensitive topics include bullying and familial abuse.
Bittersweet
Romantic
Melancholic
Emotional
Nostalgic
Reviews & Readership
1,226,809 ratings
Loved it
Mixed feelings
Not a fan
Review Roundup
Eleanor and Park by Rainbow Rowell has been praised for its authentic portrayal of first love and complex characters. The novel's sensitive treatment of difficult topics like bullying and family issues has resonated with readers. However, some critics found the story's pace slow and the ending polarizing. Overall, it is celebrated for its emotional depth and relatability.
Who Should Read Eleanor and Park?
A reader who would enjoy Eleanor and Park by Rainbow Rowell is typically a young adult, ages 14-18, who appreciates emotionally resonant, character-driven stories. Fans of The Fault in Our Stars by John Green or Perks of Being a Wallflower by Stephen Chbosky will find its 1980s setting and themes of first love, outsider status, and complex family dynamics particularly engaging.
1,226,809 ratings
Loved it
Mixed feelings
Not a fan
Eleanor
Eleanor
A resilient teenager with a difficult home life marked by adversity; she finds solace in her relationship with Park.
Richie
Richie
Eleanor’s stepfather, who creates a tense and fearful atmosphere in her home with his volatile temper.
Eleanor & Park is Rainbow Rowell's first young adult novel, and it was published in 2013 by St. Martin's Press, instantly gaining critical acclaim and a dedicated readership.
The cover art for the first edition of Eleanor & Park features illustrations by Jim Tierney, capturing the essence of the main characters with simple yet evocative imagery.
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Rainbow Rowell often mentions in interviews that she has a personal connection to the book's setting, as she grew up in Omaha, Nebraska, the city where the story takes place.
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336
Novel • Fiction
Omaha, Nebraska • 1980s
2012
St. Martin's Press
YA
13-18 years
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