In Rainbow Rowell’s novel Eleanor and Park, a not-so-typical teenage girl with enough self-insecurities capable of filling an empty room wanders her way into an awkward, yet incredible human connection. Eleanor and Park meet with a spark, produce fireworks, and embark on a twisted road to love. Bonding over a shared interest in comic books and music, we perceive an exclusive interaction between two outcasts in society.

One of the major parts of this novel is arguably Eleanor’s home situation. It’s anything but easy with her aggressive, overpowering step dad running the family; her loving mother just stands back to watch the show. She is constantly living a daily struggle to find clothes to wear and food to eat, probably much of the things we take for granted.

Rainbow Rowell is an excellent writer who switches the point of view of the characters just when you’re ready to find out a crucial event in the book. The way Rowell uses Eleanor’s characteristics to shape the novel provokes a relatable question; why do we care so much about what we look like if someone out there is going to fall in love with you for the real you?