This book is one to let simmer. The story is deep, yet appears "simple" and/or superfluous.
This is one of those books that I could predict some people
to say "Oh, that is YA," without really knowing the definition of and
significance of the YA category (which is about 15 - 25 years of age,
written for and with characters that 'real' young adults can understand and
relate to on a personal level). As we know, looks can be deceiving.
Eleanor and Park have important moments of maturity and
emotional sophistication, yet are not immature, but awkward, with other social
circumstances and personal conflicts.
However, this is what happens to almost every teenager, and a great way
for adults to remember and/or be reminded of this state of uncertainty and
struggles. These characters are real, personable, and searching.
I found the plot lines to be a bit disjointed. The
back-story on Eleanor would have been helpful earlier in the story to understand her relationships and perspectives. The last part of the story seemed like an
entirely new plot-line, and some foreshadowing earlier in the story would have
been helpful, so it wouldn't have seemed as such a sudden turn of events. Like so many books that are great for females and males, this book has a cover that most likely will not be selected by
males. This is unfortunate. Eleanor and Park are characters students (and probably adults) could relate to on different levels or within certain circumstances, and would lend to a great book
discussion/conversation between females and males.
Eleanor and Park pack together humor, social and personal
ethics, topics of socio-economic levels, bullying, peer and family
relationships, and personal identity.
Rowell nicely brings together the "complex" in a very
"simple" form.
