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True Identity In Rainbow Rowell's Love Stories

Decent Essays

The foundations of adolescents’ daily troubles were built on many contemporary twenty-first century authors. Rainbow Rowell was one of the most prominent authors who accurately depicted the typical struggles that most adolescents have to endure. Her novels were inspired by many of her own life events and experiences, therefore all of her plots were raw and eye-opening to all readers. The love stories that Rowell wrote are all very typical, but very atypical at the same time. She would put her own twist on her stories and keep her readers wanting more. Rowell’s books empowered many teenagers as they discover their own true identity. Through her novels, young adults can relate to each and every single scenario that occurs inside the stories. …show more content…

Most of the plot is based on her real life in 1986 which was full of abuse and change similar to Eleanor’s life. Eleanor and Park come from completely different backgrounds, but their respective concepts of relationships are greatly influenced by the adult world around them. Eleanor’s cynicism, in a reflection of Rowell’s own difficult childhood, stems from a terrifying home life, where love is temporary and the threat of her stepfather steadily darkens as the narrative progresses. Park, on the other hand, is overwhelmed and intimidated by the intensity of his parents’ love. “I believe really strongly that men are good,” Rowell says. “There are men who want love and who care and are sensitive to the same degree as women, just differently. . . . I hope when girls read [this novel], they believe that there are guys like Park out there.” Eleanor & Park, much like Romeo and Juliet, should be read twice: once in youth, before that first love, and again after experiencing love’s ability to transform and consume. After all, as Rowell says, “You get beginnings when you’re 17, not endings.” It is that same optimistic spirit that suffuses Eleanor & Park and makes it a celebration of all the joys and sorrows of young

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