Who knew Meat is Murder could be romantic?

I'm not the first to extol the virtues of Rainbow Rowell's Eleanor and Park; actually, after reading John Green's review I feel like I should just stop here.  I can't do the book the justice Green does.  So I'm going another route.  I'm going to gush unabashedly.

I lovelovelove this book!!!!!!

One: I identified with Eleanor and I feel most girls will.  No, I don't have red hair and I'm not fat.  (Though I wonder how overweight Eleanor really is - but I'll save those theories on a post about eating disorders and the insanity that is the current ideal beauty.)  We may not have cruel nicknames or people outwardly hostile towards us, but most of us feel like an outsider at some point in time.  Sadly, Eleanor is an outsider even in her own house (her mother is pretty awful, btw).

Two: Park is such a tender and interesting boy (yes John Green, who likes "good music" <see review above>), and Rowell's writing so honest, that his gradual connection with Eleanor is as tangible as the cord that links their headphones.  The cover couldn't be more perfect.



Example: Park has made a mixtape (I miss the 80's!) for Eleanor and wants her to listen to it at home.  She has no cassette player.  He insists she take his Walkman.  She argues she'll wear out his batteries.  She refuses.  Park goes home and plans his birthday request to his grandmother: batteries.  Here readers sigh, or text their best friend to tell them how much they freakin' love the book.

This tale of star-crossed lovers, thwarted by the unfairness of life, is timeless (but if you're into the 80's, time itself is a selling point of  E&P), touching and affecting.  It's a wallop of a book.

So, the cover says it all.  This is up there with The fault in our stars.  It's a must-read for anyone with a heart (that should cover just about everyone, right?).

Go read it now, please, so we can talk about it.