Eleanor & Park is a heartwarming and emotional young adult novel that explores the themes of first love, identity, and personal struggle. The story is set in 1986 and follows the lives of two high school sophomores: Eleanor, a red-headed, awkward, and self-conscious girl, and Park, a quiet, half-Korean boy who loves comic books and punk music.
At the start of the school year, Eleanor is an outsider. She is bullied for her appearance, which is unconventional for her high school, and she struggles with feelings of inadequacy. Eleanor’s family life is turbulent—she lives in a broken home with her abusive stepfather, Richie, and her four younger siblings. Her mother is emotionally distant and unable to protect her from the chaos at home. Eleanor’s home life and her physical appearance make her feel isolated and unworthy of affection.
Park, on the other hand, is relatively popular but still feels like an outsider in his own way. He is torn between the expectations of his American friends and his Korean heritage, feeling different in both cultures. While Park has a supportive family, he also experiences a sense of alienation, especially from his father, who has difficulty accepting Park’s more « alternative » interests in comics and punk music.
Their unlikely romance begins when Eleanor, a new student at their high school, is forced to sit next to Park on the school bus. Initially, Eleanor feels uncomfortable and embarrassed, but as time passes, she and Park start to bond over their shared love of music, comics, and their mutual sense of being outsiders. Park begins to notice Eleanor’s intelligence and inner strength, while Eleanor starts to see Park as someone who accepts her for who she truly is, even though she doesn’t always understand why he would like her.
Their relationship deepens over time, primarily through the exchange of handwritten notes in comic books and their growing connection over music. They become inseparable, but their relationship faces numerous challenges. Eleanor’s home life becomes more difficult as her stepfather’s abuse worsens, and she feels increasingly trapped in her family situation. Park, while deeply in love with Eleanor, struggles to reconcile his desire to protect her with the reality of her difficult circumstances.
As their relationship evolves, Eleanor pushes Park away due to her fear of being hurt, ashamed, or rejected, especially when it becomes clear that her family situation is too messy for Park to fully understand. She also fears for her own safety and well-being as her relationship with Richie becomes more volatile.
The novel builds toward a tense and emotional climax when Eleanor’s family situation becomes increasingly dire. The story ends on a bittersweet note, leaving readers with a sense of both hope and uncertainty. Without giving too much away, it’s clear that Eleanor and Park’s connection has fundamentally changed both of them, but it’s unclear whether they will ever be able to be together in the way they both long for.
Eleanor & Park is a poignant and beautifully written exploration of first love and the emotional scars left by difficult family lives. Rowell’s novel addresses heavy themes such as domestic abuse, self-worth, identity, and the power of love in the face of adversity. The characters of Eleanor and Park are complex, and their relationship is full of vulnerability, sweetness, and intensity. The novel captures the raw emotions of adolescence and the challenges that come with navigating love and family in a world full of uncertainty. It has been praised for its realistic portrayal of young love, the sensitive handling of difficult topics, and its nostalgic references to the 1980s.
It’s a deeply moving and emotional story, resonating with readers who have ever felt like outsiders or struggled with difficult circumstances.