I Have A Lot of Problems with Eleanor and Park

I decided to pick up Eleanor and Park because it has been suggested to me so many times before. I've finished my previous book and I thought, 'Well, why not?'. It's about time anyway.

I read it and my conclusion is, I don't like it. At all.

I was on a stable reading pattern few months ago, like I was constantly reading. However, the moment I picked up Eleanor and Park, my performance just dropped. The book pulled me off my interest to read. The dreadful process of reading the book tormented me.

It took me almost 2 or 3 months to finish the whole book. Don't get me wrong, I guess some people could possibly like it. It is quite sweet and bubbly. But, that's not what I think of the novel. The real problem with the novel is that it had a really weak plot. Actually, it has a promising plot but in this book's case, Rowell fails to actually use her own plot, or her own character's back story to support her plot. So, without using those important points in her story, it makes the story so bland and empty.

Oh my God, I finally have the right word for the novel. IT IS UNSEASONED. Plain and unseasoned.

Another reason why it was just a bad read for me, was because of how the story lacks in developments. The writer basically wrote about the same scenario, in the morning for almost, idk maybe three quarter of the book. She did not bother trying to go in depth with the characters she introduced, for example Eleanor's friends. I can't even remember their names. The writer uses the Eleanor's friends just for the sake of trying to aid a situation Eleanor is in and just completely forget that she kinda have these other 2 people in her life. The idle story line is really tiring. I feel like I am running in a loop for Eleanor and Park and there were barely ANY developments. The only developments were of their relationship and even that was so slow.

Can we talk about the non-existent climax? Where was it? I can't find it. Reading Eleanor and Park was such a dreadful journey for me with NOTHING happening in between. I really waited until 245 page for something to finally happen. And the climax existed for like... just a few pages. At that point of reading this book, I started thinking 'Why the hell did I read this book?'. It almost felt pointless. Rowell didn't introduce the climax well enough, it happened too fast, too rash and without any planning. Did anyone ever figured out why Elenor's step dad is such a douche or why he wants to chase her at the end? Cause, same. I did not.

Can we talk about Eleanor's behaviour. I'll just say it, Eleanor is an asshole. She's an ass towards Park, she's selfish, a jealous protagonist. I tried so hard to have empathy for her. I tried so hard to do that. But, her behaviour is just unbearable. She could go on living a hundred different lives and still doesn't deserve Park. The circumstances of her life is understandable but her life problem's aside, Eleanor has a tendency of hurting people with the excuse that she has a bad life. Somebody has to tell Eleanor, that's not a permit to treat other people badly. The only time I sympathize with Eleanor was every time she was bullied.

Also, A surname for a first name?! I draw the line at the ridiculous Asian name. I mean, Park is technically mixed, he could have a normal English name, or maybe if it's crucial for him to sound Asian, maybe Yohan Sheridan, or Minki Sheridan. His Korean mom would have known better.

In conclusion,

I, hate this book. So much.