Eleanor and Park by Rainbow Rowell

Eleanor and Park, by New York Times Bestseller Rainbow Rowell, is the extraordinary teen tale between two misfits, the two more different and complex than each other. Despite the many troubles and people around them, they’re able to develop the innocent, heart-warming romance all teens long for. Both smart enough to know that their first loves don’t last; they decide to give it a chance.

Each of their stories told through an alternating third person perspective, it allows us in to each of their lives before we’re quickly removed away from their worlds. Eleanor, a slightly bigger girl with uncontrollable bright red hair comes from a home where recycling clothes and acting like she can’t see the bruises on her mother’s arms is the norm. Facing the troubles of trying to avoid her sickening, gross stepfather, her life sees a speck of light when she’s forced to sit next to a privileged beautiful Asian boy, Park. From there they’re story begins.

Through the exchange of comic books and music tapes, their high school love story is unlike no other. It makes you want to tear up nearly most of the time because of the simple, yet meaningful dialogue and the different ways they interact. You see change in Park as you dig further into the story, fighting his father and doing as what he pleases, or what makes him happy. Some shocking events are revealed at the ending, and I highly suggest this as a sweet, quick read if you’re ever in the mood for a slightly more unique high school romance.

Eman Fathala