Author: Rainbow Rowell (b. 1973)

First published: 2013

Type of work: Novel

Type of plot: Realism; Romance

Time of plot: 1986

Locale: Omaha, Nebraska

Principal Characters

Park Sheridan, a sixteen-year-old introvert

Eleanor Douglas, the new girl on Park's bus

Min-Dae “Mindy” Sheridan, Park's mother

Richie Trout, Eleanor's abusive stepfather

Steve Murphy, a bully at Park and Eleanor's school

The Story

In the mid-1980s, Park Sheridan, a sophomore in high school, navigates life in Omaha, Nebraska, where he stands out as one of the few students of Asian descent. His mother, a Korean immigrant, and his American upbringing in a stable home provide him with a sense of normalcy that doesn’t quite extend to his social life. Within the school environment, Park is a bit of a misfit, finding solace in his music and comic books during bus rides to and from school.

Eleanor Douglas enters Park’s world as the new student, immediately drawing attention with her bright red hair and unique clothing style. Faced with ridicule from classmates, including the notorious bully Steve Murphy, Eleanor finds an unlikely ally in Park, who offers her a seat beside him. Though initially silent companions, their shared interest in comic books begins to bridge the gap. Park subtly includes Eleanor in his world by allowing her glimpses into his comics, eventually entrusting her with them to read at home.

Their unconventional friendship gradually blossoms into a tender yet awkward romance. While Park is forthcoming about his familial background, Eleanor is guarded, burdened by the chaos of a crowded apartment and an oppressive stepfather, Richie, who controls her family’s grim existence. To hide her stressful home life, Eleanor immerses herself in conversations with Park about music and comic books, allowing these cultural touchstones to draw them ever closer.

Eleanor’s struggles with bullying at school only strengthen Park’s resolve to protect her. When the relentless teasing from Steve Murphy escalates, Park intervenes, using his taekwondo skills to defend Eleanor at the cost of his own safety. As a consequence of the altercation, both boys face suspension from school, deepening Park and Eleanor’s bond as they spend more time together away from watchful eyes.

Intimacy grows as Eleanor and Park find solace with one another, with Eleanor sneaking out to meet Park in the quiet of night. Park introduces Eleanor to the warmth of his family home, and though initially skeptical, his parents gradually come to appreciate Eleanor’s presence, recognizing the challenges she faces at home.

As Richie’s abuse intensifies, Eleanor reaches a breaking point. Confiding in Park about her desire to escape to an uncle’s house in St. Paul, Minnesota, he offers to drive her there, determined to help her find safety. Park’s father, Jamie, intercepts their plan not with reprimand but support, providing resources and encouragement for the journey. Successfully delivering Eleanor to her refuge, Park continues to express his affection through letters and mixtapes, yearning for her response. Eventually, Eleanor breaks the silence with a postcard that carries profound meaning.

Critical Evaluation

Rainbow Rowell imbues Eleanor & Park with authenticity and depth, drawing on her own experiences growing up in Omaha during the 1980s. Through her writing, Rowell transforms personal history into an evocative narrative that resonates with the complexities of young love. The evolution of Eleanor and Park’s relationship, marked by hesitance and vulnerability, rings true to the reader, capturing the essence of teenage introspection and burgeoning romance. The novel’s structure, alternating between the perspectives of its protagonists, mirrors the development of their emotional connection and highlights their individual growth.

Setting the narrative in the 1980s enriches...