Audiobook Review: Eleanor & Park by Rainbow Rowell

Title: Eleanor & Park
Author: Rainbow Rowell
Narrators: Rebecca Lowman, Sunil Malhotra
Published: February 26, 2013
Publisher: Listening Library
Length: 8 hrs 56 mins
Source: Purchased
Purchase: Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Audible

"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 sixteen."
"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, ELEANOR AND PARK 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.

Wow.  Now THAT was an emotional, heartfelt, strong and powerful story.  One that I'm still reeling from long after I've finished.  I decided on the audio for this after hearing so many great reviews and seeing that there were two narrators.  Since I'm fairly new to audios, this was my first story with two narrators.  I loved the idea of one for Eleanor and another for Park.  And man, getting the audio version was definitely the right choice.  It was amazing.

These two characters are intensely realistic.  Eleanor, a larger girl with crazy red hair, who often wore mens hand-me-downs, was completely misunderstood and often picked on.  Park, who was half Korean and had a pretty strict father, came from a "white picket fence" type of home and fit in with the popular kids easily.  Though they both had their problems, they were complete opposites.  Eleanor came from a complete poverty-ridden home with an abusive stepfather.  Park, on the other hand, is blessed with loving parents and a good home... yet he's feels as though his father is never happy with the decisions he makes and is always looking for more.  Both have their own issues and stresses to work through... both doing the best they can with the hand they're dealt.

These two opposites by chance end up sitting next to each other on a bus to and from school.  Park at first completely ignores the weird, new girl since talking to her would be social suicide.  Eleanor hates everyone (a result of a lifetime of being bullied) so she has no problem ignoring him and his pretty green eyes just as easily.  Though their relationship starts off completely silently, Park begins communicating with Eleanor through mixed tapes and comic books, and thus their friendship is begun.

I can see where some may see this story as boring.  But I have to say, if you can relate to these characters AT ALL, this story packs a punch.  Eleanor is so reserved and snarky, yet you can totally see why when you learn more about her life.  Park seems to fall for Eleanor quickly, but throughout his scenes you can actually feel his feelings for her developing.  I definitely think the audio is the way to go with this one.  The narrators were impeccable, both of them.  Absolutely perfect.  I honestly can't find a single thing to complain about.

I could go on and on about how amazing it is, so I'll force myself to stop now.  This story reminded me a lot of Juno.  It was, simply put, REAL.  If you're a lover of contemporary YA and you're looking for a sweet yet emotional, sappy yet harsh story, this is a must-read!  And get the audio!  :)

Rainbow Rowell is the author of ATTACHMENTS. She has two novels coming out in 2013 -- ELEANOR & PARK in February and FANGIRL in the fall.

Rainbow lives with her husband and two sons in Omaha, Nebraska. Right at this moment, she is probably arguing with someone about something that doesn't really matter in the big scheme of things -- or trying to figure out how Sherlock faked his death.

Blog and other stuff at rainbowrowell.com.

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