Eleanor & Park by Rainbow Rowell

Last September, I attended the SCBWI Dallas Chapter convention. There was an editor—pardon my inability to remember who it was—who recommended Rainbow Rowell’s book Eleanor & Park. It’s been on my mind over the last ten months to read the novel, but I haven’t had a chance.

Then, on the last day of school, my daughter came home with her summer reading list and Rainbow Rowell’s novel Fan Girl was on the list. Humm… with two of her (Rowell's) novels on must read lists it was time I investigated what all the hubbub was about. Also, I had no more room for me to toss any more excuses in my bucket of procrastination, so I ordered both books from Amazon.

Since Eleanor & Park was the first book suggested for my reading pleasure, I removed the pretty new jacket sleeve (I always do this when reading so I don’t damage the cover) and began to read. The novel is told in third person, past tense with both Park and Eleanor’s points of view. This I found curious because I don’t remember other novels told in dual points of view like Impulse by Ellen Hopkins or The Wanderer by Sharon Creech narrated in third person, but I’ll have to double check.  

No matter the narration, it didn’t stop me for enjoying the book within from the first few pages. Right away, I knew this book would be about bullying (not the theme, mind you, but part of the plot) and, compounding the difficult situation, about a child who is abandoned by the very people who are supposed to protect her: Her parents. 

Now, I’ve read other MG/YA books with bullies. Crash by Jerry Spinelli is one of my favorites, but the combination of the two set me on edge the second Eleanor had to crawl out the window to call the police. At that point, as a mother, I had to set down the book so I would stop fuming about her mother’s unmotherly behavior. I understand that there are reasons why women stay with men that are bad for them, but when you have children the reasons don’t seem valid. My heart bled for Eleanor and I wanted to sweep her away and into my arms so she’d be safe. But since I can’t do this, I set down my book and preoccupied myself with every other little task I could do so I wouldn’t have to be so emotionally involved in the lives of fictional characters. I've done this before (distanced myself) when I read The Kite Runner and A Thousand Splendid Suns, but their issues were meant for an adult audience. 

On to Park… he is wonderful (not to mention his incredible choice in music) and his family life is believable and one I can relate to. The thoughts and reactions he experiences as he falls for poor sweet Eleanor are endearing to the max—I can say that because the novel takes place in the eighties. But, I’m so wrapped up in caring for Eleanor that I’ll flip if he does anything to hurt her. That’s another reason I set down my book: Fear of future events.

Time to look at the novel from a writer’s perspective, since I dissect the books I read. Here's what I've learned so far: 

First, Ms. Rowell’s ability to make the emotions and actions of her characters is something I want to emulate. I would love my characters conversations, thoughts, actions and reactions to be just as real as Park and Eleanor. For this I’m glad I invested my money and time into the novel.

Second, Ms. Rowell makes me (the reader) so sympathetic toward the characters in the story it makes me distance myself from continuing to read.. This is also a good thing: To create an emotional reaction for readers so that my writing is able to hit raw nerves in my readers. The question is: am I capable of ripping out my readers heartstrings?

One of my favorite authors, and specialist at describing dysfunctional families, is Sara Zarr. I love her books, but I was always able to turn the page and continue reading. It is different with Eleanor’s story and I can’t understand why. Rainbow is that good. 

I know my writing has the ability to bring tears to my readers eyes in the same way Jennifer Holm, or Jacqueline Woodson, or Kimberly Willis Holt does with their audiences—I’m not comparing myself to them… they are my heroes. I’m only stating that I have that ability to create a similar reaction through human experience.

Readers want to share in their character’s experience. I just worry that I’m too scared to hang with Eleanor as she deals with hers. 

Writing and Mental Illness: My Story

I recently read a post on DearEditor.com from a wonderful writer with a question on mental illness. My heart went out to this writer because I, too, understand and occasionally feel the isolation she spoke of in her post. The advise the editor gave was excellent, but I could stop myself from sharing my experience as a writer with mental illness. Here was my response:

I, too, suffer from a mental illness: Bipolar Disorder. When I'm Manic, I think everything I write is awesome, but when I'm down I think it's crap. I hate to say BPs feel deeper than others because rejection sucks for everyone, but I know as a BP personality, I obsess more. I hired the best professional editor in the world and over the last seven years I've learned more than I ever thought possible. I'm more proud of what I've accomplished as I grow as a writer, than the fact I haven't been picked up by an agent/publisher. The best piece of advice I've ever received was from Deborah which is READ, READ, READ the genre you want to right [*write* Opps...I have the worst time with homonyms]. The characters in the novels you read and writers who write them can support you as you study their technique their technique, their word choice, and their storytelling. Another thing that helps is joining a critique group, not only for the support and encouragement your fellow writers will give you, but because (as I tell my children) YOU ARE WHO YOU HANG OUT WITH. So, hang out in writing blog websites, immerse yourself in a good novel, and remember to enjoy the writing process as you learn. 

Another person commented on the original post about how he/she is able to write on topics that do not bring up mental illness. I agree with point his/her comments about the stigmas associated with mental illness and commented on her/his point as well:

Excellent points Taurean. Mental illness still has a stigma. I recently moved from California to Texas and one of the questions [on the driver's license application] was: Within the past two years, have you been diagnosed with hospitalized for OR are you NOW receiving treatment for a psychiatric disorder? I answered honestly and wrote Yes, I take medication for BP. When I got to the desk, the clerk changed my yes answer to no. I found that interesting. My first fiction novel was about a girl living with a mother with mental illness. I wrote it as an apology to my children and to express the pain they must be going through as we learned to cope as a a family. Although the feedback I've received from agents/editors has been positive, my novel has not been picked up to date--and that's okay, now. It was therapeutic for me. I read similar fiction novels to uses as comparative works in my book proposal. What I learned was invaluable because I learned technique, which I've applied to a second novel. It is nothing like my real life and because of this distance in the story my plot, POVs, and theme are much stronger. Best wishes.

I love writing. It is a way to express myself, despite the fact that my husband, friends (not writer friends) and family aren't particularly excited to hear/read what I write. When I first started my writing journey, I shared/made everyone I knew hear/read my story. It reminds me of the scripture (Matthew 7:6 NAS version) that says "... do not throw your pearls before swine, or they will trample them under their feet, and turn and tear you to pieces."
No matter how excited I am to share my work, I try not to push my work onto people who don't share my enthusiasm because their reaction is what brings me down. As a writer, my work is precious to me. Eventually, my words will be read by people who like to read--AND THAT IS WHAT MATTERS.