Eleanor & Park – Rainbow Rowell

Two misfits.

One extraordinary love.

Set over the course of one school year in 1986, this is the story of two star-crossed sixteen-year-olds – smart enough to know that first love almost never lasts, but brave and desperate enough to try.

I finished Eleanor & Park in three days. I have read it twice. Eleanor & Park made me want to read everything that Rainbow Rowell had ever written. It is such a simple story about two teenagers falling in love yet it is so exquisitely written. The story is told from both Eleanor & Park’s point of view. We get to experience how they fall in love and the different things they notice and like about each other.

You’re my favourite person of all time

“I want everyone to meet you. You’re my favourite person of all time.” – Rainbow Rowell, Eleanor & Park.

Their love story is so innocent and naive while the rest of the things in their lives are so much more complex.

“In your life, things happen for reasons. People make sense. But that’s not my life. Nobody in my life makes sense…” – Rainbow Rowell, Eleanor & Park.

I don’t want to give too much away as I really recommend that you read Eleanor & Park but I also have to add that I really enjoyed the characters’ sense of humour. Eleanor’s dry wit and sarcasm is very entertaining.

Eleanor & Park is one of my favourite novels and I look forward to reading more from Rainbow Rowell.