Eleanor & Park

By: Rainbow Rowell

Narrated by: Rebecca Lowman, Sunil Malhotra

Length: 8 hrs and 56 mins

Publisher's summary

Bono met his wife in high school, Park says.

So did Jerry Lee Lewis, Eleanor answers.

I’m not kidding, he says.

You should be, she says, we’re 16.

What about Romeo and Juliet?

Shallow, confused, then dead.

I love you, Park says.

Wherefore art thou, Eleanor answers.

I’m not kidding, he says.

You should be.

Set over the course of one school year in 1986, this is the story of two star-crossed misfits - smart enough to know that first love almost never lasts, but brave and desperate enough to try. When Eleanor meets Park, you’ll remember your own first love - and just how hard it pulled you under.

©2013 Rainbow Rowell (P)2013 Listening Library

Best Such Book Since Fault in Our Stars

Warning: you are going to want to read this from cover to cover. What a profound young love story, which raises so many great questions. Why do we read Romeo and Juliet? Is young love, against all the odds, always doomed? Who / what are the Montagues and Capalets of today (or even if the 80s in this book)? Why do opposites attract? Do you have to conform to society's rules? What would you do for love? What would you do for survival?

Eleanor is chubby and has red hair. Lots of red hair. Enough so that she is quickly dubbed Big Red at her new highschool. Eleanor's dad is selfish and absentee. Her mom's husband is scary and abusive, and so mom can't / doesn't help Eleanor, even with such simple needs as clothing or toothbrushes. Eleanor isn't "nice" -life hasn't given her that chance- but there is something about her - like the way she was able to read that poem in English her first day. She is smart and unique, and beautiful just as she is.

Park couldn't be more opposite. His parents are actually still in love, and though they have their moments, they love him and are supportive and somehow pretty wise. Park is cool and even exotic looking, taking after his Korean mother. Park is into music and constantly makes tapes of his favorite songs to listen to, while reading his comic magazines.

Park has a whole seat on the bus and, not without regret, is the only one who allows Eleanor to sit. Soon he realizes that she is reading his comics with him.

Now, see, you do want to know what happens next.

I Enjoyed This Enough, But Definitely a YA Novel

I read many reviews of this novel before purchasing it. It seemed that adults were loving this book for its unique and long-lasting impressions. The narrative in this novel flows beautifully and the characters are interesting and somewhat realistic. Eleanor is facing bullying and an abusive stepfather while Park, a Korean-American teen, is coping with some difficult family and social issues of his own. The love relationship develops in these two out of need for friendship and for mutual support which was a beautiful premise. This was a sweet book about teenage romance, the depth of feelings involved, and the gap that these love relationships fill in the lives of budding adults. For a young adult, there are many topics to explore. It would be a great novel to discuss with teens but I am not so sure I would recommend it to adults unless it was to remind one of the pain and depth of the feelings involved with teen-age life and love.

Great read for teenagers!

This story was young for me, but I still enjoyed it immensely. It pays homage to the idea that what happens to you as a teenager changes you, but it doesn't define you. I would have loved to have read a book like this when I was a kid.

Painful, beautiful and real

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

Yes! Beautifully written, had me in it's grip instantly.

What did you like best about this story?

It was like remembering and feeling those hyper emotions of being a teenager all over again.

Have you listened to any of Rebecca Lowman and Sunil Malhotra ’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

No - but they both did an incredible job. Real and heartfelt.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

The first moment that they touched, it swept over me like a warm glow, and filled me with hope.

Any additional comments?

Read it - you will thank me.

great book

I LOVED the book. I actually like the ending too, which seems to be something a lot of people hate. I liked that the book was read by two different people going back and forth according to their parts, but it was a bit unfortunate that they interpreted the characters a bit differently from each other and voiced them differently. Book, however, one of the best.

Did not like the end!!!

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

Yes. Nice sweet history; some drama moments and the challenges were real.

How would you have changed the story to make it more enjoyable?

Yes, the ending was unpleasant!

Have you listened to any of Rebecca Lowman and Sunil Malhotra ’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

No

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

No

Any additional comments?

no

Heartwarming!

What did you love best about Eleanor & Park?

They are someone you could be going to school with right now or have gone to school with when you were younger.

Who was your favorite character and why?

I love Park's mom and Eleanor's mom. Very well played. Really nice characters. :)

Which character – as performed by Rebecca Lowman and Sunil Malhotra – was your favorite?

Eleonor.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

A lot. It's just so realistic and the voices were just perfect. I can see everything inside my head.

Good Stuff

I enjoyed the book thoroughly. Lovely story and beautifully told. Gotta love the cheesy Y/A novels.

Ah, the angst of being a teen in the late 80's...

Enjoyable, nice characters, decent story. Great readers. Won't shatter your earth, but a good read.

A wonderful story for any age.

Compelling, rich characters were brought to life by excellent narrators. I was sad to have it end.