Eleanor & Park

I think this book would've resonated much more with me if I were in high school. It reminds me of John Green novels, Perks of Being a Wallflower, Paper Heart (2009), Nick and Norah's Infinite Playlist (2008), if they all had a cousin. The comic book characters and music references give it that indie feel.

I listened to the audiobook. I'm baffled that DeNice's name is pronounced literally D-Nice, not D-Neese??? Did Rainbow Rowell request this specific pronunciation?

Seeing the current rhetoric and retrospective reviews, I can see all the ways in which this book is obviously problematic. I'm just curious how this film adaptation is going to weave this story together to current society. I walk away puzzled, the stereotypes are repetitive and feel unnecessary to the story.

The story didn't wow me in a major way, I felt like I was just learning about two people who crossed paths. I feel empathy for these 2 outcasts and the bullying, but because of their age, I felt like I was kind of just a bystander watching a movie slowly unfold.

It just didn't wow me or have that kind of gusto that makes you walk away feeling hopeful or connected to the characters. It was okay.