Eleanor Si Park -

A smart, brave, but prickly 16-year-old. She uses her unique fashion and "walls" as a self-defense mechanism against a history of abuse.

The novel spans one school year, beginning when , a new girl with wild red hair and eccentric clothes, sits next to Park Sheridan , a quiet, half-Korean boy, on a school bus. Their relationship evolves through shared interests in comic books (like Watchmen ) and 1980s music (such as The Smiths and Joy Division). While Park comes from a stable, loving middle-class family, Eleanor lives in extreme poverty and constant fear due to her abusive stepfather, Richie. Main Characters Eleanor si Park

A compassionate, sensitive comic book enthusiast. He initially tries to fly under the radar but gains the confidence to stand up for Eleanor and express his own identity. A smart, brave, but prickly 16-year-old

The narrative highlights the harsh social dynamics of high school, where Eleanor is frequently targeted for her size and style. Literary Elements Their relationship evolves through shared interests in comic

The story's antagonist and Eleanor's stepfather. He is an abusive, controlling alcoholic who creates a toxic home environment.

Both protagonists feel like misfits—Eleanor due to her appearance and poverty, and Park due to his biracial heritage and deviation from traditional masculinity.