Before we get started, let's talk about alternating point of view, because that's how Eleanor & Park was written. Throughout the book, our viewpoint switches back and forth between our two protagonists. When the switch happens, we get a paragraph break labeled with the character's name. We'll mark each chapter summary with these POV switches so it's clear when we're in someone else's head.
Also, get out your Ray-Bans and your parents' cassette tapes: This book opens in August 1986.
Park
- We meet Park on the morning school bus, trying to drown out the noise with music from his Walkman. He ignores his neighbors Steve and Tina, fellow high school classmates who are chatting loudly and obnoxiously in the back of the bus.
- They try to get Park to talk about something called "Drunken Monkey karate" (1.20), and that's how we find out that Park is Asian, all thanks to some super offensive dialogue between Steve and Tina (1.26-33).
- Park notices a new girl get on the bus. All the rest of the kids move to the edge of their seats. "Nobody would look at her" (1.39), Park notices. The new girl looks like a bully magnet: She's "big and awkward" (1.41), with bright red, curly hair, and she's not dressed like anyone else, either. When no one will give her a seat, and she almost starts to cry, Park scoots to the side and orders her to sit down.
- They don't speak to each other. Park anticipates a "world of suck" (1.60) from his act of kindness.