Eleanor and Park is, so far, an interesting read. I usually
trend towards more fantasy-driven stories, but as I grow up a bit, I have come
to truly appreciate the relatability to my own life. Rainbow Rowell, the
author, seems to have a very similar mindset as I when it comes to music –
which you so rarely find in fantasy novels. Not in the sense of personal taste
but the qualities music – or musical references, in this case – can impart on a
story. Rainbow has built the music in this book into a literary playlist, which
she breaks down from her authorial intent on her own website which I have
linked below.
Park, although he certainly enjoys music, doesn’t quite look
at the stories behind each song as in-depth as Eleanor does. Through this book –
or at least to chapter 20, as that is as far as I have gotten – Park uses music
to fill space. He asks Eleanor about The
Smiths in their very first (meaningful) conversation as though he has
nothing else to say.
Eleanor, on the other hand seems to think less about the
song itself – although she seems to pay darn close attention to that as well –
but more the story behind the song. As she looks through her father’s records
looking for the perfect songs to choose for him, Eleanor doesn’t dwell on the
individual songs, but how nostalgic she is of the times she could use the
records before the divorce and before Richie. And how she want Park to react.
Like she is composing him a playlist that has a definite beginning, middle, and
end - instead of globs of music that are just kind of there.
I don’t mean to say that Park doesn’t appreciate this aspect
of musical storytelling in the mixtapes he creates, but that Rainbow actively decided to emphasize this decision
making process on Eleanor’s behalf, not Park’s.
Link to Rainbow Rowell’s playlist and descriptions:
I enjoyed the music playlist too! I listened to the songs they named while I read!
ReplyDeleteI honestly had no clue what most of the music actually sounded like, but I had a familiarity with the names and song titles. But that's a great stand point of really noticing the music even though you don't really connect with the book itself.
ReplyDeleteI can also relate to the book as you said. When you read the book you almost put yourself back in high school and think about people that would resemble each of the characters in the story.
ReplyDeleteThe music part of this story confused me. I've never been a musical person or into music for that matter but she seemed to take her songs so seriously.
ReplyDeleteI am so glad you commented on the music! I haven't explored the playlist and want to, especially since I am not familiar with most of what is mentioned. Great point about the difference between the characters when it comes to the playlists.
ReplyDeleteI think the music component to this book, and the comic component, really is cool. It shows how shared interests can really be used to connect to others. And comics and music can to an extent be used sort of as a form of escapism... so heres these two loners finally together relating to stuff that they thought they might never find anyone else who appreciates as they do. And now they can let each other in a bit and thats just a cool thing for both of them I think
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