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Ryan's Reviews > Eleanor & Park
Eleanor & Park
by
by
Ryan's review
bookshelves: july-tbr, dnf, not-my-cup-of-tea, library, read-in-2016, how-about-no, finished-series, 2-star
Jul 09, 2016
bookshelves: july-tbr, dnf, not-my-cup-of-tea, library, read-in-2016, how-about-no, finished-series, 2-star
1.5/5 stars
DNF at page 195
Apologies in advance to anyone who liked this book. This is simply my opinion.
Looks like it's time for another unnecessarily long gif-filledrant review, folks.
My friends, after this book:
Me, after this book:
Never have I ever been happier to check a book out from the library.
Did I even read the same book as everyone else? I was expecting a swoon-worthy misfit love story. Did I get that? Nope. I got whiny characters and angst. A lot of angst.
Seriously, a more appropriate title for this book would be "Angst & Daddy Issues."
I love Rainbow Rowell, I really do. Carry On and Fangirl are two of my favourite stand-alones - they made me laugh, flail, even tear up a little. Eleanor & Park just made me annoyed and confused.
I didn't care about these characters - at all. And believe me, I care deeply about the well-being of fictional characters. But these characters....
I didn't care about Eleanor, or Park, or their family, or the plot, or, more accurately, the lack of plot. All I could think was:
Which is probably what everyone is going to think about my unpopular opinion, sorry.
There was one scene that made me think I was falling for these characters, but after that, everything I thought was, "How many pages do I have left?" or "When are things going to start getting good?" That should've tipped me off right then and there that I was not going to enjoy this.
You see, I typically give a book 100 pages before I decide if I like it or not. I gave Eleanor & Park roughly 200 pages before I decided I couldn't take much more of this.
Dear, Eleanor:
Eleanor annoyed me so much. So much. I hate characters who are indecisive and constantly contradict themselves in any way, shape, or form - and that was Eleanor in a nutshell. Look. I get it. She's had a rough life. The kids at school write horrible things on her notebooks. Her step-father is a dick. But that shouldn't be an excuse to constantly take your anger out on your boyfriend, who did nothing to you. You know that song by Katy Perry? The one where she says "you change your mind like a girl changes clothes?" Yeah, that song is basically Eleanor's anthem.
To me, this book seemed a bit insta-lovey. Sure, they hated each other at first, but their relationship was so aggravating and rushed.
Weirdly enough, one reason I didn't like the book was because it took place in the 80's. How stupid is that? It's a ridiculous reason to dislike a book. But it still bugged me, nonetheless.
Will I ever come back to this book? Maybe. But as of right now:
DNF at page 195
Apologies in advance to anyone who liked this book. This is simply my opinion.
Looks like it's time for another unnecessarily long gif-filled
My friends, after this book:
Me, after this book:
Never have I ever been happier to check a book out from the library.
Did I even read the same book as everyone else? I was expecting a swoon-worthy misfit love story. Did I get that? Nope. I got whiny characters and angst. A lot of angst.
Seriously, a more appropriate title for this book would be "Angst & Daddy Issues."
I love Rainbow Rowell, I really do. Carry On and Fangirl are two of my favourite stand-alones - they made me laugh, flail, even tear up a little. Eleanor & Park just made me annoyed and confused.
I didn't care about these characters - at all. And believe me, I care deeply about the well-being of fictional characters. But these characters....
I didn't care about Eleanor, or Park, or their family, or the plot, or, more accurately, the lack of plot. All I could think was:
There was one scene that made me think I was falling for these characters, but after that, everything I thought was, "How many pages do I have left?" or "When are things going to start getting good?" That should've tipped me off right then and there that I was not going to enjoy this.
You see, I typically give a book 100 pages before I decide if I like it or not. I gave Eleanor & Park roughly 200 pages before I decided I couldn't take much more of this.
Dear, Eleanor:
Eleanor annoyed me so much. So much. I hate characters who are indecisive and constantly contradict themselves in any way, shape, or form - and that was Eleanor in a nutshell. Look. I get it. She's had a rough life. The kids at school write horrible things on her notebooks. Her step-father is a dick. But that shouldn't be an excuse to constantly take your anger out on your boyfriend, who did nothing to you. You know that song by Katy Perry? The one where she says "you change your mind like a girl changes clothes?" Yeah, that song is basically Eleanor's anthem.
To me, this book seemed a bit insta-lovey. Sure, they hated each other at first, but their relationship was so aggravating and rushed.
Weirdly enough, one reason I didn't like the book was because it took place in the 80's. How stupid is that? It's a ridiculous reason to dislike a book. But it still bugged me, nonetheless.
Will I ever come back to this book? Maybe. But as of right now:
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Reading Progress
July 9, 2016
– Shelved
July 9, 2016
– Shelved as:
to-read
July 28, 2016
–
Started Reading
July 28, 2016
–
10.06%
"I'm not sure what I think of this so far...I haven't really connected with the characters yet, but maybe it's too soon to tell (or maybe it's my ACOMAF hangover speaking)."
page
33
July 29, 2016
– Shelved as:
july-tbr
August 1, 2016
–
59.45%
"Nothing's really...happening? I don't know. I don't want to DNF this, but I also don't want to finish it. Whatever I felt for the characters seems to has dissipated."
page
195
August 1, 2016
– Shelved as:
dnf
August 1, 2016
–
Finished Reading
August 2, 2016
– Shelved as:
not-my-cup-of-tea
August 5, 2016
– Shelved as:
dnf
August 23, 2016
– Shelved as:
library
August 23, 2016
– Shelved as:
read-in-2016
October 29, 2016
– Shelved as:
how-about-no
October 29, 2016
– Shelved as:
finished-series
November 1, 2016
– Shelved as:
2-star
Comments Showing 1-50 of 61 (61 new)
message 1:
by
Kari
(new)
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added it
Aug 02, 2016 03:28PM
Oh no, I was umming and ahhing on buying this so I'll be interested to hear your thoughts!
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Can't wait to read the review! I have heard nothing but great things about this book on booktube!
I must have heard some bad things because I removed it from my tbr.
Kari wrote: "Oh no, I was umming and ahhing on buying this so I'll be interested to hear your thoughts!"Review is up now :)
Amelia wrote: "Can't wait to read the review! I have heard nothing but great things about this book on booktube!"Thank you! I just posted my review (and there are a lot of gifs - just forewarning you.)
Stephanie wrote: "I must have heard some bad things because I removed it from my tbr."I don't blame you, to be honest.
I think this is one of those books that really depends on the reader. I didn't absolutely love it like so many people said I would, I just liked it.
Aadivah wrote: "I think this is one of those books that really depends on the reader. I didn't absolutely love it like so many people said I would, I just liked it."That's understandable. I don't think this book was really my thing.
I looooooved this book!!! :D I'm sorry it wasn't for you!
I mostly liked Park. Eleanor was so annoying. I find it hard to read anything set or published before my time too. The Book Thief was really good but everything else is just meh.
Luke wrote: "I looooooved this book!!! :D I'm sorry it wasn't for you!"That's okay. I'm glad you liked it :)
Aadivah wrote: "I mostly liked Park. Eleanor was so annoying. I find it hard to read anything set or published before my time too. The Book Thief was really good but everything else is just meh."I adored The Book Thief. It's one of my all-time favourite books.
Ryan (thehigh-functioningfangirl) wrote: "Aadivah wrote: "I mostly liked Park. Eleanor was so annoying. I find it hard to read anything set or published before my time too. The Book Thief was really good but everything else is..."Mine too!!! The movie was perfection too.
Ah, bummer you didn't finish but I can understand why. Their relationship was pretty rushed and there was a lot of teen angst in both characters. I found Park more palatable than Eleanor. But I still came to love it! Well, you have other Rainbow Rowell books to gush over!
Asha wrote: "Ah, bummer you didn't finish but I can understand why. Their relationship was pretty rushed and there was a lot of teen angst in both characters. I found Park more palatable than Eleanor. But I sti..."I liked Park, but Eleanor...not so much.
True, I can still gush over Carry On <3
I approve of those dean gifs
Sadie wrote: "I approve of those dean gifs"It's never a review without a Supernatural gif.
Good to know! Love the review! Now I know what to expect in good, and now bad if I decide to pick this book up.
Amelia wrote: "Good to know! Love the review! Now I know what to expect in good, and now bad if I decide to pick this book up."Thank you! :)
megan ••book slayer•• wrote: "Sorry you didn't like it much :("It's okay - it just wasn't my thing.
Bridget wrote: "I agree. I managed to finish it, but I didn't find it as swoon-worthy as everyone else. I didn't cry, either. I'm also glad that I took it out of the library, because I don't think I'll ever reread..."I'm kind of sad that I didn't like it as much as everyone else. I'm probably not going to finish it.
I didn't like the book much either.
Rheanne (RheaReads) wrote: "I didn't like the book much either."Glad I'm not the only one :)
Sorry to hear this book was a disappointment. :( Hope your next one is better!
Erin wrote: "Sorry to hear this book was a disappointment. :( Hope your next one is better!"Thanks, Erin! :)
Maddie ♥ ┼ wrote: "Sorry for the bust - but terrific review ;-)♥"Thank you! :)
At least you're honest! If you don't like it, you don't like it! That's just how it is!
☆Stephanie☆ wrote: "At least you're honest! If you don't like it, you don't like it! That's just how it is!"Thank you! I really did not like it, and I didn't want to lie about it, even if I do love Rainbow Rowell and her other books. This one just fell flat to me.
Ryan (The High-functioning Fangirl) wrote: "@StephanieThank you! I really did not like it, and I didn't want to lie about it, even if I do love Rainbow Rowell and her other books. This one just fell flat to me."
Well, I appreciate the honesty. You didn't try to "soften the blow," and that helps others that might be on the fence. I'm tired of reading the hype of books and not liking them, and then feeling like the only one. I say bravo!
☆Stephanie☆ wrote: "Ryan (The High-functioning Fangirl) wrote: "@StephanieThank you! I really did not like it, and I didn't want to lie about it, even if I do love Rainbow Rowell and her other books. This one just f..."
Aw, thank you so much :) I feel like I'm the one of the only people here that didn't enjoy it...
Ryan (The High-functioning Fangirl) wrote: "@StephanieAw, thank you so much :) I feel like I'm the one of the only people here that didn't enjoy it..."
Well, I'm sure you're not. And everyone else...they also could be too afraid to speak up. You're brave and honest, and I'll trust your review anyway over other people's reviews!
☆Stephanie☆ wrote: "Ryan (The High-functioning Fangirl) wrote: "@StephanieAw, thank you so much :) I feel like I'm the one of the only people here that didn't enjoy it..."
Well, I'm sure you're not. And everyone el..."
That was so sweet, thank you! :D
Hahahahha! I haven't even read this book but this might be the most entertaining review I've ever read. Thank you!
Cierra wrote: "Hahahahha! I haven't even read this book but this might be the most entertaining review I've ever read. Thank you! "Thank you! :D
Stephanie wrote: "Great honest review -- I am that GR friend after reading it... :D I like how you mentioned the Katy Perry song .... funny!!"Thank you! :) I'm a little sad that I didn't like this. I may give it another shot one day, but for now, it'll stay DNFed.
I thought roughly the same thing, this book just wasn't for me. Though all i can think of while reading this is: It was set in the 80s?? O.o how did i miss that! Haha
Ahaha loved this review!!
Awww man, your review is awesome! I laughed so hard at all those SPN gifs! I also had some struggles with this one, I gave it a 3.75 stars. No need to finish it though, I really disliked the ending!
I am so happy that I was not the only one not quite feeling it in this book!
Najoua wrote: "I thought roughly the same thing, this book just wasn't for me. Though all i can think of while reading this is: It was set in the 80s?? O.o how did i miss that! Haha"Yeah, I don't think it was for me, either.
How did you miss that? O.o I'm kidding, haha
Linda wrote: "Ahaha loved this review!!"Thank you!
Ana wrote: "Awww man, your review is awesome! I laughed so hard at all those SPN gifs! I also had some struggles with this one, I gave it a 3.75 stars. No need to finish it though, I really disliked the ending!"
Thank you, Ana! <3 A review isn't complete without a SPN gif ;)
I heard that the ending was very heartbreaking, but I didn't care enough to stick around and find out xP
Sara wrote: "I am so happy that I was not the only one not quite feeling it in this book!"Me too! Whenever I see people with similar ratings to mine, I breathe a sigh of relief. I'm not the only person on the planet who disliked this!
I literally hate this book tbh sorry not sorry
jamieson wrote: "I literally hate this book tbh sorry not sorry"Thank you, oh my god. Whenever I see someone who doesn't like this book, I immediately friend them. We must stick together.
Ashleigh wrote: "Yet to read this one but I def DID NOT LIKE Fangirl, yuk! I was going to give this one a go looks like it can f'off too!"I wouldn't recommend reading this one, especially if you didn't like Fangirl. I loved Fangirl, so that's why I was so disappointed when I didn't like this one.
My comment disappeared :S Anyway Fangril wasn't horrible I just can't relate to college books. They were a cute couple though :)
Ashleigh wrote: "My comment disappeared :S Anyway Fangril wasn't horrible I just can't relate to college books. They were a cute couple though :)"I see what you mean :) Yes, they were a very cute couple, I agree <3 (Wait, where did your comment go? I hope I didn't accidentally delete it or something *facepalms*)
I have no idea, glitch in the matrix :P
Ashleigh wrote: "I have no idea, glitch in the matrix :P"It was definitely the Matrix XD
