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Summary

Set in a school year in 1986, Eleanor & Park is a story about two misfits, Eleanor (redhead, wrong clothes, fat) and Park (half-Asian) in love. Their romance starts off as two strangers, sitting next to each other on the bus, reading comics and listening to 80s songs. Eventually, they talk about common interests, books, songs etc. But their romance is complicated. Eleanor gets bullied at school by her looks, and at home her stepfather abuses her. On the other hand, Park has a tight, supportive family that is one of the best in the neighborhood. Park's house is often Eleanor's hiding space from her abusive stepfather. As Eleanor and Park's romance grows stronger and stronger, things get worse at home. Eleanor's stepfather swears words to her, threatens to kill her, and writes extremely mean stuff on her textbooks. Until one night, Eleanor comes home from a date with Park, she finds torn comic books, ruined cassette tapes, snapped headphones etc. laying all around in her bedroom. She finds out her abusive stepfather did the destroying. Scared to death, Eleanor starts running away. She runs past Park's house, awakens sleepy Park, and tells him everything. Park decides must to help her, even if it was already midnight... This book is so lively I want to jump in and live in the book forever! 5 stars-- The reason I rated it 5 stars was the ending, TOTALLY BREATHTAKING!!! The star-crossed lovers must end their relationship as Park drives Eleanor across states, away from Eleanor's abusive stepfather, to her Uncle's house. Even though the journey will take "forever", even though Park will get grounded again (the first time was fighting against a friend who was calling Eleanor mean names), even though Park will never see Eleanor again, yet still, he sent Eleanor away. "Do you think I care about anything but you?" Park says. Park is a courageous boy. He helps Eleanor escape for Eleanor's good, but at the same time, he scarifies himself because sending Eleanor away means ending the relationship. I am moved by Park's actions at the ending, and heartbroken by the resolution-- Why didn't Eleanor call Park??? Why??