YA novel. I thought this was going to be a light hearted trip down memory lane with glimpses into what it was like to be in high school, and the music, of 1986. Eleanor and Park are well written characters but while this is a story of first love, high school love, it is also dark at times since Eleanor comes from a very troubled family and a troubled history. Lots of abuse and poverty. And it was very sad that her mother could not stand up to the abuse of the stepfather. Eleanor ultimately escapes but has to separate from Park. The book ends on a bright last page with a postcard to Park from Eleanor. It was a good book but just not as light hearted as I expected it to be.
