The Perks of Being a Wallflower
By Stephen Chbosky
Publisher: MTV
Published on February 1999
ISBN-13: 9780671027346
224 pages
Page 37: “He’s a wallflower.
[…]
“You see things. You keep quiet about them. And you understand.”
Charlie, a teenage boy, begins writing a series of letters starting August 25, 1991 addressing them to his ‘friend’. Coincidentally in 1991, I was 14 and probably the same age as Charlie. I read The Perks of Being a Wallflower with the mindset of a teen and I could relate to what he is trying to convey that affects young adults at that stage of their lives: friendship, family, death, sex, alcohol, drugs. The only difference is that Charlie is a boy and I am a girl.
One thing that is unusual about Charlie is that he cries very easily. He is also quiet. The way he writes almost makes him sound like a girl and while I enjoyed reading his jottings, I kept having this feeling that something may be “wrong” with him. No boy would write like that but back in 1991 anything could happen, so I continued reading with an open mind. He is honest, perceptive, blunt and at the same time gentle and caring.
When his best friend Michael committed suicide, he becomes friendless. He cries when the news is announced over the school’s PA system. Later he befriends two seniors named Sam and Patrick, and is exposed to the world of rock and roll, sex, drugs, and the 'Rocky Horror Picture Show'. Through it all, Charlie learns about life. He likes Sam but Sam is attached to another promiscuous guy named Craig (but Sam does not know about Craig’s promiscuity). He is also exposed to his friends’ secrets. For example, Patrick has a girlfriend but the truth is he is not a regular guy.
I enjoyed reading about how Charlie’s advanced English named Bill keeps giving him additional books to read. The teacher sees that he has great skills in reading and understanding language, and he gives Charlie additional assignments in the form of essay writing. I sincerely wish I had such a teacher when I was still a student. What Bill said touched me:
This book is said to be something like The Catcher in the Rye and perhaps that would be the next book I read—time to push it up my to-be-read pile. It also reminded me of The Curious Incident of the Dog at Night by Mark Haddon with its similar writing style. Although my teenage years were not as dramatic as Charlie’s, reading this book sure made me reminisce about those growing up years. I like this book!
Related Post: Teaser Tuesdays
By Stephen Chbosky
Publisher: MTV
Published on February 1999
ISBN-13: 9780671027346
224 pages
Page 37: “He’s a wallflower.
[…]
“You see things. You keep quiet about them. And you understand.”
Charlie, a teenage boy, begins writing a series of letters starting August 25, 1991 addressing them to his ‘friend’. Coincidentally in 1991, I was 14 and probably the same age as Charlie. I read The Perks of Being a Wallflower with the mindset of a teen and I could relate to what he is trying to convey that affects young adults at that stage of their lives: friendship, family, death, sex, alcohol, drugs. The only difference is that Charlie is a boy and I am a girl.
One thing that is unusual about Charlie is that he cries very easily. He is also quiet. The way he writes almost makes him sound like a girl and while I enjoyed reading his jottings, I kept having this feeling that something may be “wrong” with him. No boy would write like that but back in 1991 anything could happen, so I continued reading with an open mind. He is honest, perceptive, blunt and at the same time gentle and caring.
When his best friend Michael committed suicide, he becomes friendless. He cries when the news is announced over the school’s PA system. Later he befriends two seniors named Sam and Patrick, and is exposed to the world of rock and roll, sex, drugs, and the 'Rocky Horror Picture Show'. Through it all, Charlie learns about life. He likes Sam but Sam is attached to another promiscuous guy named Craig (but Sam does not know about Craig’s promiscuity). He is also exposed to his friends’ secrets. For example, Patrick has a girlfriend but the truth is he is not a regular guy.
I enjoyed reading about how Charlie’s advanced English named Bill keeps giving him additional books to read. The teacher sees that he has great skills in reading and understanding language, and he gives Charlie additional assignments in the form of essay writing. I sincerely wish I had such a teacher when I was still a student. What Bill said touched me:
“So, when the school year ends, and I’m not your teacher anymore, I want you to know that if you ever need anything, or want to know about more books, or want to show me anything you write, or anything, you can always come to me as a friend. I do consider you a friend, Charlie.”
This book is said to be something like The Catcher in the Rye and perhaps that would be the next book I read—time to push it up my to-be-read pile. It also reminded me of The Curious Incident of the Dog at Night by Mark Haddon with its similar writing style. Although my teenage years were not as dramatic as Charlie’s, reading this book sure made me reminisce about those growing up years. I like this book!
Related Post: Teaser Tuesdays
great review alice, i've heard good things about this book :)
ReplyDeletehttp://thebookworm07.blogspot.com/
I'm really glad you enjoyed it, Alice! Charlie's relationship with his teacher Bill was one of my favourite things about the book.
ReplyDeleteAlso, I'm probably one of the last 5 people on earth who haven't read the Mark Haddon, but you've really made me want to!
Thanks, Naida! I hope you'll read the book when you get the chance. :)
ReplyDeleteHi Nymeth, I'm with you on that. Charlie's teacher is great. I still have another Mark Haddon book I haven't read: A Spot of Bother. It has remained in my TBR for a long time...
I haven't read Mark Haddon's book, yet. This book sounds like an interesting read to me! I'll have to check it out. Thanks for the lovely review, Alice!
ReplyDeleteI didn't know MTV published books. I think I remember hearing that Chbosky was inspired by The Catcher in the Rye.
ReplyDeleteThis sounds like an interesting book, Alice. I don't have the best memories of high school, but I do remember how much books played a part in getting me through.
ReplyDeleteThough I am not a follower of non-fiction or fiction type of books, I have something to comment if I have your permission....
ReplyDeleteI think this posting meant like a book review or something worth to be introduce to others.
My question would be "What do you believed in the author that would bring the main message in this book?"
Your focus on page 37 clearly shown that page captured your attention unanimously.
However, for a book review, I'm sorry I'm still not able to get your view from the author.
I must be missing something here. Maybe you can help me out..
Hi Desmond, thanks for your feedback. As I have said in the post, the author through the protagonist Charlie is trying to convey what affects young adults at that stage of their lives as a teenager. And may I say it again, they are friendship, family, death, sex, alcohol, drugs, and others.
ReplyDeleteThe way one reviews a fiction book and a non-fiction (self-development, etc) are different.
My comment regarding page 37 is just one of the few things that captured my attention. It's not unanimous.
I must say again that when reviewing a fiction book, one must be careful not to reveal the content (or in this case, the plot) too much as it will then constitute a spoiler/spoilers.
As to how it is useful to others, reading fiction is subjective. It is mainly a preference by one person to another. The best I can do is to state my own views and feelings toward the book, and why I like them. And on top of that, to also give examples of other books that may be directly or indirectly related. Perhaps to introduce other books by the same author as well.
Fiction is storytelling and I cannot say things on behalf of the author. So when you asked me about getting my view from the author, I'm afraid I can't help you. This is Stephen Chbosky's story and at the most what I could do is to see his story from the point of a teenager, which I also state in my review.
Having said all of that, this is a personal space where I jot my own thoughts about the book I've read and liked. I hope this clarifies.
Once again, thanks for your feedback.
Thanks, Melody! If you are thinking of reading Mark Haddon's book, you must try The Curious Incident. :)
ReplyDeleteHi Jen! I think you're right...
Hi Wendy, same thoughts there with you. Books were something I saved my pocket money for back in school. :)
Nice review Alice! It got me really interested in the story and I wanted to know the ending. But I understand you can't put spoilers on the post... maybe i'll go check Google! :D
ReplyDeleteThanks, Garando! I'm wondering how is Google going to help you with the ending? Please teach me some magic. :D
ReplyDelete