Eleanor & Park | Book Review #4
Maybe it’s very late already, but I just finished this 2012
released, very popular Rainbow Rowell’s book last night. Actually I bought it a
few years ago, but just had the chance (or the will) to read it: ELEANOR AND PARK.
Summary:
The story is about two high school students, Eleanor and
Park, and how they developed their feelings and relationship together. There
are family elements, about how Eleanor’s household is a chaos since her mom
remarried with Richie, the drunkard and short-tempered stepdad who seems to
hate her. Eleanor is also kind of a weirdo. Her fashion doesn’t make sense and everyone
tend to look at her like she’s someone from another planet.
At first, Park is reluctant of getting involved with her. But since they sit next to each other and had these small talks, he finds it so hard to get her out of his head. The same thing happens to Eleanor. Predictably, they fall for each other. And they fall hard.
At first, Park is reluctant of getting involved with her. But since they sit next to each other and had these small talks, he finds it so hard to get her out of his head. The same thing happens to Eleanor. Predictably, they fall for each other. And they fall hard.
Thoughts and personal opinion:
Even if this book is really popular in my country (Indonesia), I realized why it took me a long time to finally read this book
and it will never get to the top of my favorite romance, YA, contemporary
novel: Their love doesn’t make sense to me.
I realize that culture pretty much contributed to my opinion about this book. In my culture (as I know it), to be with someone you should know get to know that person better first, so you can decide wether or not you want to be with them or not. In E&P's case, they instantly fell in love with each other without really knowing about each other's personalities and stuffs. But I just can’t understand the real reason why they fall in love with each other, especially how did Park end up falling for Eleanor. To me, she’s a huge pain in the ass. As fellow girls (we tend to be too emotional at times), I just can’t understand why she always make it so hard to herself, and ruin moments between her and Park. For example, what’s the big deal with her and make up?? When Park’s mom gave her a little bit of touch up, she cried like it was the end of the world. As if it’s gonna bring disaster to her life, when the only reason she hated it was because it made her feel ‘fake’. I totally despise her for that. And when everything seems to go well for her and Park, she always finds a way to ruin those moments.
I realize that culture pretty much contributed to my opinion about this book. In my culture (as I know it), to be with someone you should know get to know that person better first, so you can decide wether or not you want to be with them or not. In E&P's case, they instantly fell in love with each other without really knowing about each other's personalities and stuffs. But I just can’t understand the real reason why they fall in love with each other, especially how did Park end up falling for Eleanor. To me, she’s a huge pain in the ass. As fellow girls (we tend to be too emotional at times), I just can’t understand why she always make it so hard to herself, and ruin moments between her and Park. For example, what’s the big deal with her and make up?? When Park’s mom gave her a little bit of touch up, she cried like it was the end of the world. As if it’s gonna bring disaster to her life, when the only reason she hated it was because it made her feel ‘fake’. I totally despise her for that. And when everything seems to go well for her and Park, she always finds a way to ruin those moments.
The positive part, I love how genuine Park's love for her. For Eleanor, that have nothing and is a perfect mess. For someone who doesn't know the reason why they love someone, I think that's what real love is. Love doesn't need any reason, it's just what it is. This book taught me that.
I will give this book ⭐6/10. I think this book is perfect for you who will spend your free time either it's 30 minutes, 1 hour, or just waiting for something, to read. No matter where you left it the last time you read it, you can always connect to the story because it's not that hard to understand. Basically, it's just the story of Eleanor and Park. It's a light read and if you love cute, genuine romance between two people who didn't fit in, I think this one is for you.
Cheers.
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