[DNF Review: Eleanor and Park by Rainbow Rowell]

"Eleanor and Park"
Author: Rainbow Rowell
Pages: 325
Page Ended On: Around 200
Genre: YA, Contemporary, 80s
Date Published: February 26th, 2013
Publisher: St. Martin's Press
Format Read: Finished copy from the library

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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 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.

-Goodreads

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My Thoughts:

Guys, why didn't I get along with this book?  I swear we had a mutual dislike for each other.  We gave each other evil glares and everything.  Please don't throw things at me.  I know that so many of you loved this one and I'm glad that it has an audience, it's just, that audience is clearly not me.  I wasn't going to do this review, but I did get 60% into it before I called it quits and I skimmed the end, because I wanted to know if I was missing the point of it all.  Sadly the end didn't make me want to pick it back up either.

The summary of this book had me extremely excited.  I'm a 80s kid myself and I'm addicted to the music of the time, so we seemed like we would be the perfect fit.  And who doesn't love misfits!  Misfits are the best.  And so many authors and bloggers that I like got behind this one, so I was disappointed when things worked out like they did.   

I think the thing that made me throw this book down and wave my fist at the heavens in frustration was Eleanor.  I just couldn't connect with her, at all.  She pitied herself so much that there was no room for me to join in.  She pushed people away and she didn't do anything about where she was.  Obviously, her family had been able to function without her in it, so why didn't she just leave in the beginning of the book?  I just didn't understand the fact that she had no fight left in her at all.  And when people wanted to help her, she pushed them away.  As a reader I felt like she was pushing me away too.  Which is either brilliant or terrible, depending on how you look at it.    

I have to admit that I didn't find the romance to be anywhere near cute and romantic.  It was awkward, and trust me I LOVE awkward, but this was just too much for me.  They practically go from not talking to dating, or something like dating, I'm not sure what that was?  The music and comics were a great touch.  I can't even deny that.  It was like this could have totally worked, but for me it didn't.  I didn't get why Park and Eleanor even ended up together on any level.  It was like they decided to get together because they sat next to each other everyday... 

And the end.  I mean the summary hints at a sad ending, but this book had such dark undertones that the end was extremely sad and just plain dark.  I wasn't expecting this book to be dark at all, but that's what it was.  Eleanor's messed up family got a hold of the story and creeped me out.

But honestly, don't take my word for it.  So many other people loved this book, so read some of their reviews.  Or read this one for yourself, cause maybe you'll love it?  You never know.

Rating:

0 Unicorns = Did not finish, so I can't rate properly.