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.
336
Novel • Fiction
Omaha, Nebraska • 1980s
2012
St. Martin's Press
YA
13-18 years
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