Eleanor and Park by Rainbow Rowell
I've been meaning to read Eleanor and Park for quite some time (Modern Mrs Darcy's 2016 Reading Challenge, and mine) but I was scared, sort of. I've dislike so many well-liked books of the literary world (The Girl on the Train, The Book Thief, What She Knew), that I truly wanted to like this book, but didn't want to read it because I was afraid I wouldn't.
Thankfully, I liked it.
Actually, I liked it a lot.
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. - Amazon
I could empathize with Eleanor in a big way. I only had compassion for her. Sure, her attitude was downright frustrating at times but people like Eleanor who have endured what Eleanor still lived have to erect walls so high so they can just get through each moment of every day. Park broke through some of those walls.
Rating: 8
P.S. You guys, I have six more books to read to reach my goal of 52 New Books in 2016! I'm so excited. I'll concentrate on finishing my 2016 Reading Challenge and continue to read...read...read. And, decide on a new challenge for the coming year.