What I loved about this book:
- both main characters were outside of the typical weight and race of basically every other YA book ever. Just the fact that their differences were addressed and not just brushed aside is hopefully an indicator of the direction YA novels could be moving. Why aren't authors writing more diverse characters? Why was it so hard for me to get a picture of a teenage Asian boy but not hard to just imagine a white boy with black hair? And Eleanor's hair and weight are a significant part of her personality that she never necessarily comes to terms with. Thank you Mrs. Rowell for writing such relatable characters.
- the setting in the 80's went back to a time before we could communicate any time we want with whomever we want. This honestly made for a more genuine relationship between Eleanor and Park, and I think it will be great for younger teens who have never and will never experience the concept of trying to find time to meet and/or talk outside of school.
- Eleanor never inherently changed for Park. She grew, and she adapted to him, but she never became more or less than she was. She never changed her character - loved herself more, got kinder, became more/less independent - just because a boy loved her.
- Park DID change! He became more comfortable liking what he liked. He discovered how to have a relationship with his family despite being different.
- While Eleanor was bullied at school and we got to see how teacher's reacted differently to what is now such a serious subject, that wasn't the focal point of Eleanor's problems. She addressed that it sucked, but it didn't dominate her life and she never felt like it was something she had to fix. I feel like this is an important lesson for teens because while standing up for yourself can be crucial, sometimes people are cruel and you can't control them. You can only control yourself.
- we meet Eleanor after she tried to stand up to Richie. A whole year later. We see that sometimes you can stand up for something and it really seemed to only make it worse. I think this is the true sense in which Rowell keeps surprising us. That the neighbors would send Eleanor back, and she would be grateful. That her siblings would accept their situation without much question.
- I did feel somewhat mentally prepared for the end, and without spoiling too much I will say I had an idea of what would happen and I was pleased to see it was a little bit happier than what I expected. But still EXTREMELY bittersweet.
- everything. I would recommend this book to ANYONE. It was beautiful, and heartbreaking, and inspiring, and sad, and hopeful.