The Perks of Being a Wallflower is a deeply affecting coming-of-age story that will spirit you back to those wild and poignant roller-coaster days known as growing up. Now a major motion picture starring Emma Watson and Logan Lerman. Stephen Chbosky's new film Wonder, starring Owen Wilson and Julia Roberts is out now.
Charlie is a freshman. And while he's not the biggest geek in the school, he is by no means popular. Shy, introspective, intelligent beyond his years yet socially awkward, he is a wallflower, caught between trying to live his life and trying to run from it. Charlie is attempting to navigate his way through uncharted territory: the world of first dates and mix-tapes, family dramas and new friends; the world of sex, drugs, and The Rocky Horror Picture Show, when all one requires is that perfect song on that perfect drive to feel infinite. But Charlie can't stay on the sideline forever. Standing on the fringes of life offers a unique perspective. But there comes a time to see what it looks like from the dance floor.
'A coming of age tale in the tradition of The Catcher in the Rye and A Separate Peace... often inspirational and always beautifully written' USA Today
This is another book that I liked (not loved) but also hated. Perhaps this wasn't the best book to read after finishing Chabon's book (with great language and characters) since a lot of this fell into a very simplistic realm. It read fast, so that is good, but many of the interactions/relationships felt rather stereotypical high school binaries. Charlie's attraction to Sam, Sam dating an older guy and not noticing Charlie, Patrick secretly dating the football jock Brad. It just wasn't surprising.
I also felt that Charlie's realization of being molested by his Aunt Helen came too late in the book, and kind of at a convenient time? I'm also no sure if I buy this detached naivety that Charlie presents in his letters.
That's not to say I hate this book. I did like his friendship with Bill, and with Patrick and Sam. I also felt that at the end when Sam is telling Charlie to do what he wants and to be honest with people was interesting and a refreshing reaction to their situation.
Overall: Meh. I look forward to seeing the movie, which is why I read this in the first place, but it was just... okay.
