Eleanor & Park by Rainbow Rowell Audiobook Review

Eleanor & Park by Rainbow Rowell Audiobook ReviewEleanor & Park by Rainbow Rowell
Narrator: Rebecca Lowman, Sunil Malhotra
Published by Listening Library on February 26th 2013
Genres: Historical Fiction, Young Adult
Format: Audiobook
Length: 8 hrs. 56 mins.
Source: Purchase
Goodreads
five-stars
Also by this author: Attachments, Fangirl, Landline

Audie Award Finalist, Teens, 2014

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 16.
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, this 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.

I’ve been meaning to read Eleanor & Park for months because I’m a fan of Rainbow Rowell’s first book Attachments, and am attracted to the 80s as a book setting, as well as alternative music. But I’m glad I waited to experience the book as an audiobook. Since the book shares Eleanor and Park’s stories in alternating chapters it’s a treat to hear two different narrators bring their story to life.

The book is primarily about the relationship between Eleanor & Park, two teens that feel like outsiders. Eleanor is the new girl who wears all the wrong clothes, and stands out with her large frame and red hair. She’s bullied and called Big Red. Park is half-Korean and isn’t new in town but feels isolated because of his musical taste. In 1986 there was a divide between the Top40 and alternative scenes and Park’s tastes were ahead of the curve in Omaha. The pair end up next to each other on the school bus and slowly form a connection over music and comic books that develops over time.

The 80s decade is an interesting YA book setting for many reasons, but stands out for the lack of technology & the explosion of post-punk. There were no cell phones for Eleanor and Park to text (not that Eleanor could even afford a cell phone) and music was not that accessible either. It was the time of mix tapes, and I could definitely relate to Eleanor falling in love with the music mixes Park made her, listening to the same songs over and over. And it’s so satisfying for Park to have someone to share his interests with, finally.

It’s nice for Eleanor to have Park as this bright spot in her life because her family life is rough. She lives with her mom and step-dad and shares a room with her four younger siblings. Her step-dad is abusive and an alcoholic and her home life is all-around difficult. Park has some drama with his dad but for the most part has it pretty great compared to Eleanor.

Even though the story is a heavy read due to Eleanor’s family drama, there are plenty of feel-good moments that made me smile. Rowell captures that first love feeling, and made me root for Eleanor and Park. The book has short chapters and Rowell writes in third-person, with alternating Eleanor and Park perspectives. Rowell makes you feel like you’re back in the 80s with many pop culture references.

Rebecca Lowman and Sunil Malhotra read the audiobook, and this is my first experience with their narration. I thought they both did a great job, and sounded age-appropriate. I didn’t feel any disconnect between the characters as written vs. how they sounded. Each narrator uses different voices for different genders, ages, and accents, and gets the tone of the book right. I think the audiobook format made it easier to connect with both Eleanor & Park. It’s a book that I didn’t want to stop listening to, and will probably listen to again. One thing that would have been cool is if the audiobook contained music snippets since music is such a running theme. But, on that note Rowell did create several Spotify playlists so you can check out Eleanor & Park’s musical taste.

I’m definitely a Rainbow Rowell groupie now and eagerly await her next book Fangirl. And I truly hope she does write a follow-up to Eleanor & Park! (Check out this great Elision interview with Rainbow Rowell where she talks about that possibility).

 

Ornament

19 thoughts on “Eleanor & Park by Rainbow Rowell Audiobook Review

  1. Obviously we are huge fans of Rainbow and E&P. It is definitely the kind of book that stays with you long after you’re done reading. Thanks for highlighting the audiobook. I haven’t figured out how to fit audiobooks into my routine.

  2. Kelley says:

    Gosh, the more I hear/read about this book, the more I know that I need to read it! I might even go for the audiobook, too, thanks to your review. 😀

  3. I like the sound of this one!

  4. Great review! I think the 80s are a great setting for a YA book and I’m excited to read this it! 🙂

    Alice @ Alice in Readerland

  5. I’ve heard such positive things about this book and whilst it isn’t my usual type, I definitely want to read it. Just for the 80s! Fabulous review! 🙂

  6. BermudaOnion says:

    I’m so glad to see this is so good! I can’t wait to read it!

  7. Maria says:

    ooh. so this is what you’re talking about. and i’m intrigued! *adds to my GR shelf*

  8. The more I hear about this one the more I want it. Hopefully I can it ordered for the school before I break down and buy it myself.

  9. I loved this book so much. I think it will be a favorite. I can’t wait to read Attachments!

  10. Candice says:

    This book was absolutely perfect! I think it would do well as an audiobook and I think one day I’d love to listen to it!

  11. Jenny says:

    OH MAN, I just finished this and it was so good!!!

  12. Thanks so much for sharing this play list. I just finished the book, and listening to the music was really fantastic.

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  15. […] recently challenged book is Eleanor and Park (a book my own hs freshman is currently reading) and I’m sure you’ve read about the […]

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