The novel is about Eleanor and Park, a couple of teenagers, in 1986 (the year I was born, incidentally), who meet in school and fall in love. But. This is not the story of how they finally get together, this is their story as them as independent characters, with messed up lives (Eleanor more than Park, granted), who happen to fall in love, and still have other things to deal with. It is beautiful and original because what you're hoping is not for them to end up together (although that too), but for them to be happy--I don't know how to explain it. Let me say it another way: Unlike other romance stories, falling in love and finding your "soul mate" doesn't solve everything--it's just the beginning. 
 I won't spoil anything, don't worry. I'll just say that it was a lot darker than I expected. It made me suffer a lot, really. I think it's a remarkable YA novel, but to me, who I usually pick up YA novels to feel good after reading obscure literary fiction, it was a bit too devastating. Hopeful, I think. Very well written and real. You'll love Parker, and you'll love Eleanor. They feel real, they do things you wish they didn't and they do things you wish you could.